The LEGO® brick road to open science and biotechnology. Issue 9 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boulter, Etienne; Colombelli, Julien; Henriques, Ricardo; Féral, Chloé C.
• Is Part Of: Trends in biotechnology. Volume 40:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1073
• Page End: 1087
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: LEGO® bricks -- FAIR science -- open science; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biochemical engineering -- Periodicals; Genetic engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.02.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7799

Abstract

Abstract : LEGO® is a brand of toys that have entertained generations of children. Beyond amusement, LEGO® bricks also constitute a building ecosystem of their own that creators from the general public, as well as scientists and engineers, can use to design and assemble devices for all purposes, including scientific research and biotechnology. We describe several of these constructions to highlight the construction properties of LEGO® and their advantages, caveats, and impact in biotechnology. We also discuss how this emerging trend in LEGO® building pairs with a growing interest in open-access and frugal science which aims to provide access to technology to all scientists regardless of financial wealth and technological prowess. Highlights: LEGO® bricks constitute a building ecosystem that can be used by the general public, science researchers, and engineers to design and assemble systems of all kinds. The variety of LEGO® creations from the general public, ranging from artwork to automated systems, demonstrate the versatility and quality of LEGO® systems. In parallel, an increasing number of custom LEGO® systems for science are designed to fulfill the specific requirements of experimental scientists from all fields. The development of LEGO® building in science and biotechnology constitutes an emerging trend that aims to provide widely available professional-grade tools and systems to all researchers regardless of financial and technological constraints.