{"id":4913,"date":"2026-02-16T10:12:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/?p=4913"},"modified":"2026-02-16T10:12:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T10:12:19","slug":"energy-efficient-thermomixers-reduce-carbon-footprint-of-experimental-evolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/2026\/02\/16\/energy-efficient-thermomixers-reduce-carbon-footprint-of-experimental-evolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy-efficient thermomixers reduce carbon footprint of experimental evolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

The cost of\u00a0studying evolution<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Experimental evolution is a powerful technique for understanding how organisms adapt to changing environments. By recreating specific conditions in the lab, such as shifts in temperature or acidity, scientists can\u00a0observe\u00a0evolutionary processes in real time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While\u00a0greatly useful\u00a0for understanding how the first organisms originated on Earth, this approach comes with challenges. For instance, one of\u00a0the\u00a0earliest life forms\u00a0is\u00a0thought to be thermophiles, microbes that thrive at extreme temperatures (41 to 122 \u00b0C).\u00a0Mimicking these conditions in the lab requires prolonged high-temperature incubation, which is energy-intensive and costly.\u00a0Traditional shaking incubators not only consume\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of electricity, but also risk being damaged when\u00a0operated\u00a0for prolonged periods at\u00a0high temperatures.\u00a0Evaporation of culture media adds further complications, potentially affecting the integrity of the experiment.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thermomixers vs traditional incubators<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

To\u00a0tackle these\u00a0issues,\u00a0final-year\u00a0Environmental Sustainability Project\u00a0(ESP)\u00a0student\u00a0Gwyneth\u00a0Darwent\u00a0(2022\/23) and researchers explored an alternative\u00a0strategy for\u00a0growing these microbes: using thermomixers\u00a0instead of traditional incubators.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While both devices provide a constant temperature for culturing cells and microbes, thermomixers\u00a0simultaneously provide mixing and are often smaller than shaking incubators.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0their study, the\u00a0team\u00a0worked with\u00a0the archaeon\u00a0<\/span>Sulfolobus\u00a0acidocaldarius<\/span><\/i>, which grows at\u00a0an optimal\u00a0temperature of 75 \u00b0C. Aside from developing an experimental\u00a0evolution\u00a0protocol\u00a0at\u00a0high temperatures, they introduced a simple method to compare energy consumption between the two devices:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Unplug the devices from sockets and plug in energy\u00a0monitoring\u00a0plugs,\u00a0initialising\u00a0them according to manufacturer\u2019s instructions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Measure energy use over 2 to 24 hours (longer durations give more\u00a0accurate\u00a0estimates).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Record and compare the results.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Thermomixers save energy and money<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \"\"

    Figure showing energy consumption of traditional incubator (top; red line) and thermomixer (bottom, blue line) at different temperatures over 2 hours. Figure taken from Al-Baqsami et al., 2024.<\/p><\/div>\n

    The study revealed striking results:\u00a0<\/span>thermomixers consumed\u00a0almost 40 times less energy than traditional shaking incubators<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0while still supporting\u00a0comparable microbial growth. This makes using them a potential strategy for reducing the carbon footprint of experimental evolution\u00a0without compromising experimental outcomes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Beyond sustainability, thermomixers offer practical benefits. Their small size and lower cost make them ideal for labs with limited space or resources. By removing the need for multiple large incubators, researchers can run parallel\u00a0experiments\u00a0more\u00a0efficiently and affordably.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How You Can\u00a0Take Action<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
    Monitor and reduce energy use<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n

    The Faculties\u00a0of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) and\u00a0Science and Engineering (FSE)\u00a0have launched a\u00a0Plug Energy Meter Campaign\u00a0to help lab users understand and reduce their energy use. Plug-in\u00a0energy meters are now available\u00a0to borrow from\u00a0several\u00a0Faculty buildings,\u00a0enabling lab users to\u00a0monitor\u00a0equipment,\u00a0identify\u00a0high-consumption hotspots, and make informed changes to reduce their carbon footprint.\u00a0Find out more about the campaign here:\u00a0<\/span>Measuring what matters: plug energy meters for sustainable labs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Host a similar project<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n

    If\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0a researcher or academic at the University,\u00a0you might also consider hosting a final-year Environmental Sustainability Project\u00a0(ESP)\u00a0student.\u00a0ESP students can support you in\u00a0greening\u00a0your\u00a0lab\u00a0protocols and\u00a0calculating\u00a0impact.\u00a0To express interest, please contact\u00a0<\/span>Dr Maggy Fostier<\/span><\/a>, Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Additional\u00a0information<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n