HERCULES, Calif.–Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIO.B), a global leader in life science research and education, today announced the launch of the BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit, an innovative hands-on educational kit that enables students to explore cellular communication and signal transduction through the natural phenomena of bioluminescence and quorum sensing in Vibrio bacteria.
Designed for high school and college biology courses, the BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit makes complex topics engaging and accessible by allowing students to observe bacteria producing a striking blue bioluminescence in response to cell signals — a vivid demonstration of how cells communicate.
"Cell signaling is one of the most important — and most abstract — topics in modern biology," said Bryony Ruegg, Director of the Life Science Education Group at Bio-Rad. "With the BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit, students use a living bacterial system to see firsthand how genes are turned on through communication between cells."
Students engage in interactive labs using modeling activities and co-plating experiments with live bacteria to investigate how signaling molecules trigger bioluminescent responses.
The BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit introduces students to:
- The Lux pathway, a system that controls bioluminescence in Vibrio bacteria
- Quorum sensing — how bacteria coordinate behavior using chemical signals
- Real-world processes of signal transduction and gene activation
Kit innovations include:
- Non-pathogenic Vibrio strains engineered by Bio-Rad for robust responses and for auxotrophy — students see vibrant, glowing results from a bacterial system that is safe for both the classroom and the environment
- Curriculum materials incorporating Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL) — this research-based instructional model developed by BSCS Science Learning builds understanding through student inquiry
The BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit is now available through Bio-Rad and authorized distributors. For more information, visit bio-rad.com/bactalk or contact us at explorer@bio-rad.com.
About the Bio-Rad Explorer Program
For over two decades, the Bio-Rad Explorer Program has supported teachers in their quest to spark their students' interest in life sciences by offering innovative and engaging hands-on activities that connect concepts with techniques in the context of real-world scenarios. The inquiry-based kits integrate multiple core content subjects into a single lab or a multiweek course to teach students about a variety of life science topics, including DNA, disease, proteomics, ecosystems, green fluorescent protein, and much more. Please visit explorer.bio-rad.com to learn more about the Bio-Rad Explorer Program.
About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIO.B) is a leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. Based in Hercules, California, Bio-Rad operates a global network of research, development, manufacturing, and sales operations with approximately 7,700 employees, and $2.6 billion in revenues in 2024. Our customers include universities, research institutions, hospitals, and biopharmaceutical companies, as well as clinical, food safety and environmental quality laboratories. Together, we develop innovative, high-quality products that advance science and save lives. To learn more, visit bio-rad.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements we make regarding our products and our expectations about our products. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plan", "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to our international operations, global economic and geopolitical conditions, tariffs or other trade barriers, reductions in government funding or capital spending of our customers, our ability to develop and market new or improved products, our ability to compete effectively, international legal and regulatory risks, supply chain risks, and product quality and liability issues. For further information regarding our risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" in Bio-Rad's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Bio-Rad cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Bryony Ruegg, Director, Bio-Rad Explorer Program
510-741-6721
bryony_ruegg@bio-rad.com