Breakthrough Research

Plants Speak. We've Learned to Listen.

"Imagine if every plant could tell us when animals approach, what emotions we're feeling, and even when we're about to get sick—all through simple electrical signals we're just learning to decode."

In the five years since we first detected plants responding to human presence, we've discovered something remarkable: plants have been talking all along. We just needed to learn their language.

Plant with sensors
The Discovery

Plants Speak. We've Learned to Listen.

In 2020, we made our first documentation that plants generate distinct electrical signals when humans approach. What began as a single experiment has evolved into a robust research program spanning five years, multiple universities, and dozens of researchers.

Reproducible Results

97% accuracy in classifying human emotional states through plant bioelectric signals

Published Evidence

12 peer-reviewed papers documenting plant responses to human presence

Rigorous Controls

Faraday cage experiments confirm non-electromagnetic mechanism

The Evolutionary Framework

Our five-year investigation has led to a simple but powerful hypothesis: plants evolved early warning systems to detect approaching herbivores before physical contact occurs.

Animal Defense

Animals that lose body parts die → evolved sophisticated distance sensing

Plant Adaptation

Plants that lose body parts often grow stronger → but still benefit from advance warning

Early Detection

Early detection allows proactive defense → chemical mobilization, resource allocation, neighbor alerts

This isn't mysticism. It's evolution.

The Science

From Lab Bench to Kitchen Garden

Our research journey spans five years of rigorous scientific investigation, with validated results across multiple laboratories and institutions.

2020

First detection

First detection of plant responses to human presence and movement

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2021-2022

Systematic artifact elimination

Faraday cage and vibration isolation experiments

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2023

Peer-reviewed validation begins

First publications in Sensors journal

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2024

Mechanistic insights emerge

Publications in Biomimetics and Internet of Things

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2025

Consolidation and expansion

COINs conference presentations with sleep stage detection

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Current Validated Capabilities

  • Emotional states (angry, happy, sad, neutral): 97% accuracy
  • Stress levels: Correlation with exam performance
  • Individual identification: 66% accuracy across 6 people
  • Sleep stages: Under investigation (preliminary results promising)

Primary Research Hub

galaxylabs.org - International Collaborative Innovation Network

  • Founded 2007 as COINs Verein, Switzerland
  • Coordinating BioLingo research across 9+ international institutions
  • Open science and democratized research focus

Active International Network

University of Cologne (Germany)HSLU - Lucerne University (Switzerland)UPM Technical University Madrid (Spain)MIT System Design Management (USA)University of Bamberg (Germany)Kozminski University (Poland)
Citizen Science

Join the Investigation

We're developing an affordable, open-source plant sensor system to democratize this research. This is our vision, not our current reality.

The Future BioLingo Kit

  • Cost target: Under $100 (currently prototyping)
  • Open-source hardware designs (in development)
  • User-friendly software platform (planned)
  • Global data sharing network (conceptual)
BioLingo Kit Prototype

Research You Could Help Investigate

The Herbivore Test

The critical experiment we haven't done yet

  • Test plant responses to herbivores vs. carnivores
  • Our hypothesis predicts herbivores should trigger stronger responses

Species Mapping

Expanding our limited species database

  • We've only tested ~15 plant species systematically
  • Need data from wild plants, different families

Environmental Factors

Understanding what affects plant sensitivity

  • Seasonal variations (preliminary data suggests major effects)
  • Soil conditions, plant health, age effects

Current Limitations (Being Honest)

What We Don't Have Yet:

  • Mass-produced affordable sensor kits
  • Turnkey software for non-researchers
  • Standardized protocols for citizen scientists
  • Quality control systems for distributed research

What We're Working On:

  • Sensor cost reduction and simplification
  • Educational curriculum development
  • Data platform architecture
  • Research protocol standardization
For Educators

Bring Real Science to Your Classroom

Connect your students with cutting-edge research and provide authentic scientific experiences.

What We Can Offer Now

Research Collaboration Opportunities:

  • Connect your students with our research team
  • Access to our published methodologies and protocols
  • Mentorship for student research projects

Educational Resources Available:

  • Published papers accessible for advanced students
  • Experimental protocols tested in university settings

Implementation Pathways

Partner School Program:

Work directly with our research team to:

  • Set up experiments using research-grade equipment
  • Train teachers in plant bioelectric measurement

DIY Research Track:

For schools wanting to build their own capabilities:

  • Access to our open-source hardware designs (in development)
  • Research protocol documentation
Technology

Open Source. Open Science. Real Progress.

We're committed to democratizing access to plant communication research through open-source technology and transparent science.

What We've Built

Research Infrastructure (2020-2025):

  • Validated measurement protocols for plant bioelectrics
  • Machine learning pipelines for signal classification
  • Quality control methods for artifact elimination

Publications and Open Science:

  • 12 peer-reviewed papers with full methodology
  • Raw data available for key studies
  • Reproducible analysis code (where available)

What We're Developing

Hardware Democratization:

  • Open-source bioelectric amplifier designs
  • Cost reduction from $1000+ research equipment to <$100 kits
  • 3D printable electrode systems

Software Platform:

  • Real-time signal visualization tools
  • Machine learning analysis pipelines
  • Educational interfaces for non-experts

Current Status: Prototype Development

We're moving from research-grade equipment to affordable, accessible tools. This is engineering work in progress, not finished products.

Community

The Global BioLingo Research Network

Join our international community of researchers, educators, and citizen scientists.

Who We Are Today

Research Collaborators:

  • 20+ researchers across 9 universities and institutions
  • Multiple countries: Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Poland, Italy, USA
  • Diverse expertise: Plant biology, AI, education, biodynamics, arts

Student Involvement:

  • Student co-authors on multiple peer-reviewed papers
  • International student exchange through research projects

What We're Building Toward

Vision for Expanded Network:

  • Affordable sensor kits enabling global participation
  • Educational curriculum for authentic research experiences
  • Data platform for worldwide collaboration
  • Citizen science community for discovery and validation

Current Reality: We're a research consortium transitioning toward public engagement. The infrastructure for mass participation doesn't exist yet, but the scientific foundation is solid.

Join Our Research

For Students/Teachers

Contact us about research collaboration opportunities. We work with motivated individuals and institutions interested in authentic plant communication research.

For Scientists

Join our international research network. We're always seeking collaborators for replication studies, new experimental designs, and theoretical development.

For Institutions

Partner with us for research projects, student exchanges, and technology development. Several universities are already active collaborators.

Join Our Research

Partner School Program

Work directly with our research team using research-grade equipment. Perfect for high schools and universities.

Submit collaboration request (2 minutes)

Schedule setup call with research team

Receive equipment loan and training

Students conduct real research

Potential co-authorship on publications

Request Partnership

DIY Research Track

Build your own plant communication lab with our open-source designs and protocols.

Download our hardware designs

Access complete research protocols

Get technical support from network

Share data with global research

Contribute to ongoing studies

Get DIY Kit Info

Research Network

Join our international team of 20+ researchers across 9+ institutions in replication and new studies.

Submit research proposal

Access established protocols

Collaborate on data analysis

Co-author publications

Present at international conferences

Join Research Team
Contact & Next Steps

Get Involved

"We've proven plants can detect animal presence and human states. Now we're working to understand how—and to make this research accessible to everyone."

Research Coordination

  • galaxylabs.org

    International Research Network Hub

  • Peter Gloor

    pgloor@galaxylabs.org

  • Location

    Switzerland (International collaborations)

  • Network

    20+ researchers across Europe and beyond

Current Status & Next Steps

  • Current Status

    Active research program seeking to democratize access

  • Next Milestone

    Affordable sensor development and educational platform

  • Timeline

    Citizen science tools development ongoing

Get Connected

Ready to join our research community? Fill out the form below and we'll connect you with the right opportunities.