Mechanics and Optics of Cyanobacteria: How to Survive over Billions of Years

Survival mechanisms, photosynthesis, buoyancy regulation, light-sensing or phototaxis, bacteria, gliding motility, biofilm

Maria Delgopiatof, Max Bai, Sierra Bushey, Valerie Syme

The Physics of Coral Polyps

Coral polyps, hydrodynamics, sensing, feeding, anisotropy, photoreceptors

Michael Beyrouthy, Cris Izzi, Claudio Petroni, Alex Tsiskakis

Life-Sustaining Processes of the Diatom

Diatoms, life cycles, biomineralization, reproduction, reactive oxygen species, biochemistry

Peter Matthews-Crochetiere, Daniel Ibrahim, Wenan Liao, Cedric Mackay

Frustules: Design solutions in Diatoms

Diatoms, frustules, elasticity, light properties, buoyancy

Peter Matthews-Crochetiere, Daniel Ibrahim, Wenan Liao, Cedric Mackay

A Chemical Review of Animal Tongue Functions

Tongue, Chemical Cues/Chemosensors, Adhesion, Hunt, Taste Discrimination, Mucin, Evolution

Shunyuan Xiao, Marc Srour, Sophie Allard

Biomineralization in Mollusks and Brachiopods

Biomineralization/Calcification and Crystallization, Self Defense/Defense Mechanism, Shells, Mineralization Inhibitors, Growth, Imaging, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Elliott Cole, Gabriel Linaje-Ferrel, Mikaela Phung, Salma Oraichi

Chemical Adaptation in Viviparous Birthing and Oviparous Hatching

Embryo, Nutrient and Gas Exchange and Transport, Mineralization, Placenta and Placentation, Reproduction, Hatching, Egg

Serena Kim, Massimiliano Garzia, Lila Oualim, Mark Tchinov

The Design of the Spine

Bison, spines, musculoskeletal system, 3D modelling, spinal injuries

Ahmed Bawany, Bianca Dubois, Yzza M’sahi, Michael Parsons

Cephalopods and their Beak

Cephalopods, beaks, mechanics, feeding, biomimicry

Palmyra Mendoza Cabrer, Karina Carlson, Rylee Mcdonald, Michael Weldon

Information Storage and Processing as Part of Pattern Formation, Photoreception, Thermoreception, and Mechanoreception of the Integument

Information storage, integument, Turing patterns, feedback loops, sensing

Juyoun Bae, Andrei Bocan, Justin Charney, Lan Anh Huynh

Molecular Design of the Spine and Spinal Cord

Spinal cord, spine, evolution, signal propagation, regeneration

Ahmed Bawany, Bianca Dubois, Yzza M’sahi, Michael Parsons

Marvels of Eggshell Pigmentation: Why Eggshells Vary so Greatly in Color and Pattern

Avian eggs, pigmentation, camouflage, thermoregulation, structural functionality, parasitism, birds

Leticia Le Goff, Ula Mastej, Jake Pringle, Ryan Romero

The Heart: A Biochemical and Cellular Perspective

Calcium Signaling, Action Potential, Heart, Pacemaker, Regeneration

Anne-Sarah Dickman, Lina El Kesti, Junqi Wang, Angela Zhu

Biological Design for Lungs and Gills: Biomechanics and Materials 

Gas Exchange, Diffusion, Respiration, Biomechanics and Materials, Evolution

Samuel Bernard, Nabhaan Farooqi, Camille Gagnon, Will Vyse

Physics of Avian Beak Design

Beak, Evolution, Biophysics, Kinematic Chain, Filter, Thermoregulation

Karina Carlson, Rylee Mcdonald, Palmyra Mendoza Cabrer, Michael Weldon

The Nose: An Examination and Comparison of the Turbinate Structures of Aquatic Animals, Terrestrial Caniformia, and Humans

Nose, Respiratory Adaptation, Climate, Evolutionary Biology, Olfaction and Olfactory Structures/Anatomy. Nasal Turbinates

Ingi El Shahid, Curtis Ehlert, Liv Toft, Mary Wan