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AI × Biodesign: A Practical Course in Molecular Workflows for Creatives

A six-week live cohort, starting February 2026.

Author

Raphael Kim, PhD
November 16, 2025

In partnership with

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Dear reader,

AI is moving into biology fast, and it's hard to separate the signal from the noise.

Every month there's a new model, a new claim, a new "breakthrough." Some of it matters. A lot of it is just good marketing.

But something real is shifting.

Tools that used to require institutional access: structure prediction, sequence design, material modelling, are becoming more available.

You no longer need a PhD, a lab, or the right academic connections to work with these ideas.

A vivid abstract visualization of bio-organic forms featuring a coral-colored, cloudlike cluster merging into translucent green layered structures and fuzzy lime-green growths against a dark background, illustrating synthetic biology and molecular design concepts for Biodesign Academy.

That opens up new possibilities. It also raises new questions.

Designers need to understand how these tools actually work, where they fail, and how to use them without getting caught up in the hype. That's not optional anymore, it's practical.

To help with that, I'm opening early access to a new six-week cohort next week:

AI × Biodesign: A Practical Course in Molecular Workflows for Creatives (February 2026)

This is a focused introduction to molecular design and AI-supported biological reasoning, built for creatives who want clarity, not confusion.

Why now

Biotech has always been mostly-gated: paywalled journals, specialist labs, closed datasets, academic gatekeeping. That's changing.

More preprints. More open models. More accessible tools. More ways in.

The barrier to entry is dropping, if you know where to look and how to interpret what you find.

At the same time, the hype is creating a different problem: inflated expectations, overinterpreted results, design decisions made without understanding the biology underneath.

This programme sits in the middle: accessible and grounded, but scientifically honest about what these tools can and can't do.

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What we'll cover

Over six weeks, we'll build a foundation in:

  • Reading protein structures and molecular behaviour

  • Using AI tools like AlphaFold in a biodesign workflow

  • Understanding how enzymes influence material properties (texture, colour, density, response)

  • Applying molecular logic to mycelium, bacterial cellulose, and algae

  • Extracting useful information from scientific papers using GPT workflows

  • Translating molecular behaviour into materials and forms

  • Navigating the ethical and speculative dimensions of AI-driven biology

The goal isn't to make you a scientist. It's to give you fluency and good judgement in a field that's moving quickly.

Tools you'll use

Three core resources throughout the programme:

  • Designer AlphaFold Notebook

  • Living Material Proxy Library

  • Biodesign Co-Pilots (Notion + AI workflows)

Built for long-term use, not just exercises.

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Two expert collaborators

To keep things technically sound while staying designer-friendly, two experts will join us:

  • A computational biologist specialising in protein modelling

  • An expert materials researcher working with living organisms

Their input is practical and tied directly to the tools we'll use.

Who this is for

Creative practitioners, design students, designers, interaction/industrial/architecture practitioners, creative researchers in living materials, early-stage founders exploring biological systems.

Beginner-friendly, but serious.

Early access opens Wednesday

The cohort is capped at 15 to keep sessions small and interactive.

On Wednesday morning, you'll get:

  • Full syllabus

  • Tool previews

  • Collaborator details

  • Early-access registration link

Programme starts February 2026.

More soon,
Raphael
Biodesign Academy

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AI × Biodesign: A Practical Course in Molecular Workflows for Creatives

A six-week live cohort, starting February 2026

AI is moving into biology at high speed. Each month brings a new model, a new claim, a new “breakthrough.” Some advances genuinely shift what’s possible; others are polished marketing. The important signal: capabilities that once required specialist labs, institutional access, or deep academic training are becoming broadly available. Designers and creatives can now work directly with molecular ideas — if they understand how to use these tools responsibly.

Why This Matters Now

Biotech has long been gated by paywalls, specialist labs, and academic hierarchies. That landscape is loosening.

  • Open preprints and transparent methods

  • Freely accessible or low-cost AI models for prediction and design

  • Tools that rely on intuition and reasoning rather than credentials

  • More ways to experiment without institutional affiliation

As access expands, hype accelerates. Misinterpreting AI outputs leads to unrealistic expectations and design decisions detached from real biology. Creative practitioners now need a grounded understanding of both potential and limitation.

What This Course Provides

This six-week programme offers a focused introduction to molecular design and AI-supported biological reasoning. It prioritizes clarity, practical workflows, and sound judgement.

Core Topics

  • Reading protein structures and molecular behaviour

  • Using AI tools like AlphaFold in design-led workflows

  • Understanding how enzymes influence texture, colour, density, and responsiveness

  • Applying molecular logic to mycelium, bacterial cellulose, and algae

  • Extracting essential insights from scientific papers using GPT workflows

  • Translating molecular behaviours into materials and forms

  • Navigating ethical and speculative dimensions of AI-driven biology

The aim is competency and fluency, not scientific credentialing.

Tools You’ll Use

Three core resources support the programme:

  • Designer AlphaFold Notebook

  • Living Material Proxy Library

  • Biodesign Co-Pilots (Notion + AI workflows)

These tools are designed for long-term use beyond the cohort.

Expert Collaborators

Two domain specialists help keep the programme scientifically rigorous and materially relevant:

  • A computational biologist specialising in protein modelling

  • A materials researcher working directly with living organisms

Their contributions connect directly to the workflows taught.

Who It’s For

Ideal participants include:

  • Design students

  • Speculative designers

  • Interaction, industrial, and architectural practitioners

  • Creative researchers in living materials

  • Early-stage founders exploring biological systems

Beginner-friendly, but serious in depth and application.

Early Access Opens Wednesday

The cohort is capped at 15 participants to maintain an intimate, interactive environment.

On Wednesday morning, participants will receive:

  • Full syllabus

  • Tool previews

  • Collaborator details

  • Early-access registration link

The programme begins February 2026.

Summary

AI is expanding who can participate in molecular and biological design. With new access comes the need for new literacy: understanding how these tools work, how to interpret their limits, and how to apply them with precision. This programme provides that foundation for creatives navigating a rapidly evolving field.

FAQs

What can AI actually do in biodesign today?

It enables rapid structure prediction, sequence exploration, and modelling of molecular behaviour — capabilities once restricted to specialist labs. These support material exploration, speculative design, and early-stage concepts.

Do I need a scientific background?

No. The course is structured for designers. Concepts are taught from first principles and grounded in hands-on tools.

How is this different from a standard biotech or computational biology course?

It is design-oriented and workflow-driven. The focus is reasoning, interpretation, and applied creative practice.

What will I be able to do afterward?

You’ll be able to read protein structures, interpret molecular behaviour, use AI tools responsibly, evaluate biological claims, and integrate molecular reasoning into your projects.

Why limit the cohort to 15?

Small groups enable deeper discussion, technical guidance, and personalised feedback.

More soon,
Raphael
Biodesign Academy

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