What if your Tamagotchi was alive and glowing? This toy prototype is full of bacteria

Children and bacteria are usually a parent's nightmare, a cocktail of late-night calls from the pediatrician and ruined weekends.

The idea of ​​a toy filled with bacteria probably sounds like a recipe for disaster. This design team says otherwise.

Meet SquidKid, a prototype toy developed by Northeastern University students that is essentially an organic Tamagotchi. Kids care for the bioluminescent bacteria culture in this squid-shaped toy, keeping it alive and shiny. A finalist in the international Biodesign Challenge, SquidKid's hope is to create not only a trusted friend, but a lasting connection between children and the natural world.

“Our real goal was to create a bioreactor that would run continuously, so you could keep the bacterial culture alive for a long period of time, like you would if you were keeping an aquarium or something,” says Deirdre Ní Chonaill, a master's student in experience design and associate director of creative and experience design at Northeastern Bouvet College of Health Sciences. “Children don’t always treat their toys well. There are times when Tamagotchi, if ignored, dies. In this case, you are actually killing something.”

Children must maintain the bacteria contained in SquidKid by providing oxygen, proper “broth” or food, and constant stirring. The toy even comes with a squeezable tentacle that injects oxygen into the system and moves bacteria around, causing them to glow.

Combining art, science and hands-on learning

SquidKid started his life in the classroom. A team of students developed it as part of the course “Critical Creation of Adaptive Futures,” taught by Associate Professor of Design and Biotechnology Katya Zolotovskaya.

“SquidKid is not just about microbiology,” says Zolotovsky. “It also teaches children how to care for the environment and then explores biology, mutualism and environmental interdependence.”

The class bridges the gap between art and science. Zolotovsky's focus is on how to use biotechnology in playful yet effective ways. In one semester, her students learn the basics of biotechnology before getting their hands dirty and designing with biomaterials.

The tactile aspect of biomaterials helps even students who enter with a high school knowledge of biology.

“When you work with materials, you immediately see the result,” says Zolotovsky.

Her students have developed bioplastic clothing, algae-based lunches, and bio-based menstrual cycle trackers. Then there's SquidKid.

From class concept to competition finalist

Inspired by the Hawaiian bobtail squid and its symbiotic relationship Using bioluminescent bacteria, one group of students set out to bring bioluminescence into the home.

“We just wanted to combine these impressive bioluminescent materials with our everyday life, making it more intimate. [uses]” says Motong Shi, who graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in interaction and experience design in 2025.

However, as a team of four designers with mostly high school biology backgrounds, they had to quickly learn bacteria 101. Using Northeastern's Wet Lab Makerspace, they conducted some disastrous early experiments.

“We went to see electron microscope“,” says Ní Chonaill. “We wanted to see if our bacteria were alive, but we weren't sure if they were contaminated with E. coli.”

With the help of Ezri Abraham biologist student They recruited another team in the class and an ecotoxicologist, and they settled on a design that was compelling enough to earn them a spot in the 2025 Biodesign Competition in New York.

Ni Chonaill and Shea were shocked when they learned that SquidKid was a finalist in a world-famous design competition. Many of the other biodesign contenders had been developing their ideas for much longer and had much more scientific or engineering experience.

Despite their surprise, they never doubted SquidKid's strength. It may seem small, but it is filled with big ideas and even bigger ambitions.

“What would it mean for a generation growing up seeing bacteria as collaborators rather than threats, to recognize caring as a form of intelligence and skill that responds, adapts and sustains life?,” says Ní Chonaill. “We believe toys can create this shift.”