Bending the Rules of Biology: Stanford Scientists Unveil Cellular Origami in Microscopic Predators

Stanford scientists have unveiled “lacrygami,” a phenomenon where Lacrymaria olor extends its structure dramatically, influenced by its cytoskeletal design, promising advances in microscopic technology.

“There are some things in life you can watch and then never unwatch,” said Manu Prakash, associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University, calling up a video of his latest fascination, the single-cell organism Lacrymaria olor, a free-living protist he stumbled upon playing with his paper Foldscope. “It’s … just … it’s mesmerizing.”