Students’ software project solution is making the lives of researchers easier

Reocto joined the UT Institute of Computer Science software project course and presented the students with a task to create an innovative solution. Reocto has created a small-scale bioreactor that can perform experiments that require a larger test environment than a test tube, but is smaller and more cost-efficient than larger models. However, To do an experiment with the bioreactor, a computer must be connected to it, and to change the experiment's parameters, the entire experiment code must be changed and uploaded to the microcontroller.

Thus, the need for an application that would provide remote accessibility, cross-platform compatibility, a user-friendly interface, and functionality automation. The University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science students were able to come up with Biocult. Biocult is a web application that allows users to remotely manage the experiments efficiently. It is the only app on the market that enables the reactor's full utilisation.

Biocult enables users to set, control, and modify test parameters such as temperature, stirring, and aeration via an intuitive user interface without having to be physically present. The researcher is also able to remotely collect samples from the bioreactors, add growth media to their experiment, manage multiple experiments at once, and visualise the data all in one application. Biocult also offers automated alerts for unexpected anomalies in the test, ensuring timely intervention. 

Filips Oleskovs, the company representative for Reocto praised the collaborating student team for their proactive approach and flexibility. “The project was very valuable for us as the controller app for the reactor took our product to the point where we can now sell it,” explained Oleskovs. Biocult is currently the only controller application which enables the user control of all the reactor’s functions.

Companies can submit their challenges to the Software Project course until 1 September, the Digital Product Management Industry Project until 4 September, and the Data Science and Machine Learning course projects until 1 September. Find a course to partake in!