Slime mold as a method: ethnography of scientific practices

Maria Debińska is researching whether and why Physarum polycephalum may have something to say about humans, their institutions, and social behaviors. In what scientific practices do slime molds and people become similar to each other? What are people and what is the slime mold in this relationship? What theories, procedures, and research methods allow us to treat slime molds as a tool for social research?
Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are single-celled organisms classified within the kingdom of protozoa; it is estimated that they evolved approximately 0.5-1 billion years ago. Initially, they were classified as fungi due to their similar appearance, habitats, and reproductive cycle. However, in the mid-20th century, it was discovered that they do not behave like fungi but instead have certain animal-like characteristics: they can move in search of food and feed on bacteria and fungal spores. They form visible structures, known as sporangia, which are large cells with millions of cell nuclei inside. The slime mold that garners the most interest is Physarum polycephalum. Its name can be translated as ‘multiple-headed slime’. It possesses characteristics that make it a subject of study not only for biologists but also for philosophers, sociologists, computer scientists, and artists. Despite its very simple structure, it exhibits behaviours that researchers interpret as the beginnings of memory, intelligence, and learning capabilities. Its cultivation does not require specialized equipment, allowing the slime mold to function not only in university laboratories but also among individuals engaged in amateur biology as part of the ‘Do It Yourself’ movement and in an increasing number of open biological laboratories (open wetlabs) run by non-governmental organizations. Physarum polycephalum has become famous, among other things, for its ability to find the exit from a maze and recreate the Tokyo metro map. Additionally, it serves as a biological controller for electronic devices and as a computing machine. It can also be regarded as a model for human behaviour, as artist Heather Barnett explores in her projects, where she seeks connections, similarities, and analogies between human and animal behavior. Alongside, artist and philosopher Jonathon Keats initiated the Plasmodium Consortium project (2017-2018), in which Physarum polycephalum was employed as a visiting professor at Hampshire College in Amherst, USA. Its task was to address pressing social issues such as immigration policy and addiction.
Despite the large number of scientific and artistic projects utilizing Physarum polycephalum, there have been no studies to date analysing the socio-cultural aspects of this phenomenon. However, it can be assumed that the interest in the slime mold is closely related to the development of bioart, biohacking, and DIY biology—phenomena that are a response to the advancement of biological sciences and biotechnology. This raises new questions about the place of humans among other living beings, the relationships between the individual and their environment, the definition of the individual, evolutionary mechanisms, and provides tools for practicing biology by individuals without formal education in the field.
Projekt jest finansowany przez National Science Center.