Biotoobists

Biotoobists is a colloquial term for individuals who create and share videos about biology on online platforms, most commonly YouTube. The term combines biology with YouTube and describes a diverse range of creators, including professional scientists, students, educators, and hobbyists who aim to explain biological concepts to a general audience.

Content and activities typically center on teaching and demonstration. Videos may cover lab techniques (microscopy, DNA analysis, culturing harmless organisms), field biology (wildlife surveys, ecosystem monitoring), genetics and evolution explanations, physiology and anatomy, and explorations of ecological or environmental topics. Many biotoobists use experiments, animations, storytelling, and accessible language to make complex ideas understandable, often with safety, ethical, and sourcing notes.

Impact and reception: Biotoobists play a role in informal education and science communication by reaching audiences not engaged with traditional outlets. They can complement classroom learning and provide real-world context. However, the quality and reliability of content vary, and creators must navigate issues such as misinterpretation, sensationalism, privacy or ethical concerns in demonstrations, and the need for accurate sourcing. Some channels align with institutions or adhere to community guidelines and safety standards.

Terminology and scope: The label biotoobist is informal and not widely used in formal literature. It overlaps with broader categories such as science communicators, biology content creators, and educational YouTubers. The term serves more as a descriptor of a style of delivery than a strictly defined profession.