Microbiology Cell-Staining Inspired Tote Bag - Featuring Unique Artwork from UNC Biology Students

Embrace vibrant style and functionality with this stunning tote bag. Crafted from 100% polyester, it’s not just a pretty accessory; it’s designed to withstand the rigors of everyday life while retaining its shape and vibrancy. This tote bag features artwork from a UNC Biology student as part of a BioArt assignment. The proceeds generated from purchasing this item will go to fundraising for the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fundraising helps the department upkeep our teaching and laboratory spaces, equipment, resources, events, etc. to serve UNC Biology students and further their education.

This artwork was created by Zoe W., Class of 2027, and is titled "All the Cells We Cannot See." The description of the piece is below:

"As I thought about how my academic and lab experience with biology and chemistry merges with art, I realized that both subjects use pigments, stains, and dyes. Visual art relies on pigmented media to convey its imagery, and a critical step in many scientific assays is staining or tagging molecules so we can visualize them. One of my favorite parts of running gel electrophoresis is using purple loading dye! I decided to portray different biological staining techniques with alcohol ink art. H&E staining (top left) is often used to analyze tissue samples like biopsies; it stains cell nuclei purple and cytoplasm pink. Trypan blue assays (bottom left) are used to analyze cell viability by staining dead cells; I wanted to allude to viable unstained cells in the dish as well. Methylene blue staining (top right) can also be used to assess cell viability, and it stains nucleic acids a dark blue and cytoplasm a lighter blue. Gram staining (bottom right) is used to analyze bacteria, using crystal violet to color gram-negative bacteria purple and safranin to color gram-positive bacteria pink. These assays are all united by their ingenious use of color to reveal the structures we cannot see, much like how visual art uses color to generate images, emotions, and ideas from the artist's imagination."

Product features:
- 100% polyester body for extreme durability and quick drying.
- Reinforced stitching on handles for added strength.
- Boxed corners create extra space for increased capacity.
- Available in multiple sizes to suit your needs.
- Choice of 2 handle colors for a personalized touch.

Care instructions:
- Remove all items from the bag before cleaning. Suggested to pretreat visible stains with stain remover. Mix warm water with laundry detergent and clean the bag with terry washcloth or a soft bristle brush. Let the bag air dry.