Waren Ruder, Virginia Tech (IMAGE) Virginia Tech Caption Waren Ruder used a mathematical model to demonstrate that bacteria can control the behavior of an inanimate device like a robot. Credit Virginia Tech Usage Restrictions Please credit: Virginia Tech License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.