Canvassing, DIY Microbiome Culturing, Mycelium Digital Twins, and more!

Hello Biodesign Community,

As another working week comes to an end we have some exciting updates and announcements for you in biodesign. It covers a range of topics to keep you inspired and informed. Check out our highlights below:

In Brief:

1. Canvassing in Biodesign: Discover how the choice of canvas influences design outcomes in our latest blog post.

2. DIY Microbiome Workshop: Join the Biofilie Lab to cultivate vaginal microbiota at home on October 26-27. Limited spots available!

3. Digital Twins in Biodesign: Check out a new publication on the application of Digital Twins in biodesign, focusing on mycelium and digital systems.

4. Upcoming Exhibition: "Objects That Grow on Trees" runs from October 3-18 at the University of Lisbon, showcasing the blend of traditional and modern biodesign.

5. Open Call: Apply for fully-funded residencies in art and science with Bioart Society and SOLU, focusing on AI and synthetic biology. Deadline: October 23.

6. DNA Data Storage Research: A new publication explores the resilience of DNA storage against radiation, essential for future-proofing data in harsh environments.

7. Dutch Design Week Preview: Look forward to our next newsletter, highlighting innovative biodesign projects at the upcoming Dutch Design Week from October 19-27 in Eindhoven.

#1. 🖼 Canvassing in Biodesign: How the Right Canvas Elevates Design Outcomes

In biodesign, the choice of canvas—whether it's an agar gel, transparent plastic and glass, or unconventional materials—can transform design outcomes. Just as texture, shape, and material influence traditional artwork, they play a crucial role in biodesign displays.

Our latest blog post explores how the surfaces used in biodesign—from microbial canvases to high-tech materials—shape both aesthetic and functional results.

Learn how the canvas impacts everything from microbial growth patterns to user experiences. Discover real-world examples of biodesign in action and see how choosing the right canvas can redefine bio-displays.

#2. Join the Biofilie Lab: Cultivate Vaginal Microbiota at Home! 🦠

Curious about the vaginal microbiome and its role in our health? The Biofilie Lab is a DIY/DIWO workshop where you’ll learn how to cultivate vaginal bacteria and fungi, like Lactobacillus and Candida albicans, using the Biofilie Lab protocol.

This hands-on workshop explores your personal relationship with the microbiota while challenging extractive scientific practices that often shape our understanding.

Happening on October 26 & 27, this lab offers an inclusive space for those interested in microbiology, gynecological experiences, and creating accessible knowledge. Spots are limited to 15 participants, so reserve your place now by writing to [email protected] 

#3. New Publication: Exploring Digital Twins in Biodesign 🍄👾

We’re excited to share the news about a recently accepted article authored by Đan Vy Vu, Mathias Funk, Yi-Ching (Janet) Huang, and Bahareh Barati in the ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction.

This paper delves into the intersection of biodesign and Digital Twins (DTs), highlighting how digital tools offer unprecedented opportunities to monitor, iterate, and scale living systems.

The authors introduce a conceptual framework for applying DTs in bio-industries, focusing on bioprocessing and agri-food, and explore how DTs create digital representations of living processes with real-time interaction with the physical world.

The paper features a proof-of-concept for biofabrication using mycelium and discusses how DTs can address uncertainties in designing with living systems.

Read the paper in full here.

#4. Exhibition: "Objects That Grow on Trees: Amazonian Cuias and Biodesign" 🌳

Watch out for the upcoming exhibition "Objects that Grow on Trees: Amazonian Cuias and Biodesign," taking place from October 3rd to 18th at the Faculty of Fine Arts gallery of the University of Lisbon.

This exhibition bridges the ancient art of crafting Amazonian cuias with modern biodesign principles. Visitors will experience a range of works, from traditional cuias created by artisans from the Associação das Artesãs Ribeirinhas de Santarém to experimental biodesign pieces from the Cuia Colab project.

The exhibition showcases how biofabrication can transform natural materials into functional, design-forward objects, highlighting the slow, organic process of working with living organisms. In addition to enjoying the artistry, attendees will have the opportunity to support the artisans by purchasing cuias online, with all proceeds going back to the creators.

• Dates: October 3–18, 2024

• Opening: October 3 at 17:30

• Location: FBAUL Gallery, University of Lisbon

• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

This exhibition is a great choice for anyone passionate about sustainable design, biofabrication, and cultural heritage. If you’re in Lisbon, don’t miss out on this event!

#5. Open Call: Horizon Residencies in Art & Science

Bioart Society and SOLU are inviting applications for four fully-funded residencies as part of the EU Horizon projects, deCYPher and Bioindustry 4.0.

This exciting opportunity seeks artists to explore the intersection of art, AI, synthetic biology, and biotechnology through immersive residencies with leading research institutes in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Selected artists will contribute to sustainable bio-based production and smart biotechnological processes while engaging in cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Key Details:

• 4 residencies: 3 for the deCYPher project, 1 for Bioindustry 4.0.

• Fully funded, including: €7,500 fee for residency, exhibition, and workshops. €4,000 for work production. Additional travel and accommodation support.

• Residencies hosted in Belgium (Ghent University, ML6) and the Netherlands (Wageningen University & Research).

• Open to professional artists experienced in AI, machine learning, synthetic biology, or biotechnology.

• Application deadline: October 23, 2024.

• Residency duration: 28 days, with a group exhibition in 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit here.

#6. DNA Data Storage: New Publication in Nature Communications

We would like to share news of a significant research article published in Nature Communications, titled "Evaluating the Risk of Data Loss due to Particle Radiation Damage in a DNA Data Storage System" by Christopher N. Takahashi et al.

This paper explores the resilience of DNA data storage, a cutting-edge alternative to magnetic tape for long-term data preservation.

The research focuses on how DNA, which can store vast amounts of data in a fraction of the space needed by traditional storage methods, holds up under environmental stresses like radiation. By examining how neutron radiation interacts with DNA and nearby water molecules, the authors developed a model to estimate potential damage and tested it under varying radiation levels. Their findings suggest that, under normal storage conditions, radiation is not a significant cause of data loss in DNA-based storage systems.

This research is particularly relevant for future-proofing data storage designs for harsher environments, such as space exploration or the challenges posed by climate change. DNA storage offers a resilient solution for safeguarding critical information in the long term.

Read the paper in full here.

#7. Sneak Peek: Biodesign at Dutch Design Week 2024

In our next newsletter and blog articles, we’ll preview and unpack Biodesign presence at the upcoming Dutch Design Week, taking place from October 19-27, 2024, in Eindhoven.

Expect an exclusive preview of latest biodesign projects and discussions surrounding key themes like sustainability, biofabrication, and the integration of living systems in design. Stay tuned for a deeper look into the creative minds shaping biodesign today!

Hope you found these updates useful, and stay tuned for further news next week!

Best wishes,

Biodesign Academy