From DNA Computers to Meat Leaves

Hello Biodesign Community,

As the 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. DNA Computers:
Researchers developed a DNA-based system that stores and computes data within a single framework, opening doors for biodesigners to explore high-density, sustainable data storage.
Read the full paper

2. New Professor at CARADT:
Dr. Delfina Fantini van Ditmar joins CARADT as Professor of Biodesign and More-than-Human Perspectives, bringing expertise in ecological thinking and interdisciplinary research.
More details here

3. Intro to Cellular Agriculture – Grow a Meat Leaf!:
A hands-on workshop to learn how to culture mammalian cells and grow your own “meat leaf” using grocery store chicken cells.
Event details here

4. Symposium on Biodesign, Sustainability, and Living Matter:
A symposium exploring the future of biodesign and sustainability through 3D printing, mycelium, and more, now available to watch on YouTube.
Watch the symposium

5. Joana Martins Wins NWO Grant:
IDE Assistant Professor Joana Martins awarded €400,000 for research on cyanobacteria for CO2 absorption, pushing boundaries in sustainable technologies. More details here

6. Eduardo Kac Lecture:
Pioneer of bio artist Eduardo Kac will speak at the BioInspired Institute Symposium, reflecting on bio art and space art’s role in biodesign. More details here

7. New Blog Post - Noticing Microbes:
Our latest post dives into the significance of microbes in biodesign and how they can transform sustainable designs. Read the post

8. Coming Soon: Brutal but Honest Book Reviews:
Stay tuned for candid reviews on biodesign books, so you can make informed decisions without breaking the bank.

#1. DNA Computers

In a notable advancement, researchers from North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University have developed a DNA-based system capable of both storing and computing data. Unlike previous technologies, which could perform only some of these tasks, this new approach allows for data storage, retrieval, computation, erasure, and rewriting—all within a DNA framework.

By using a novel dendricolloidal material, the team has demonstrated the ability to store vast amounts of data securely for thousands of years. For the biodesign community, this breakthrough is especially compelling as it opens doors to new ways of merging biological systems with computing technologies, offering sustainable, high-density data storage solutions. Check out the full paper to explore the possibilities this innovation holds.

#2. New Professor at CARADT

CARADT is thrilled to welcome Dr. Delfina Fantini van Ditmar as the new Professor of Biodesign and More-than-Human Perspectives, beginning this September. Delfina brings a wealth of expertise in ecological thinking and interdisciplinary biodesign, succeeding Elvin Karana in leading the research group. Her extensive experience at the Royal College of Art and her commitment to lifelong learning will deepen CARADT’s focus on sustainability through art, design, and technology.

With a strong international network, Delfina is poised to foster collaborations that challenge traditional boundaries, exploring how art and design can engage with ethics of care and our interdependence with nature. This news is especially exciting for the biodesign community, as Delfina’s vision aligns with current efforts to address ecological and ethical challenges through creative, regenerative design practices. Her leadership promises to open new doors for innovative projects and partnerships.

#3.  Intro to Cellular Agriculture – Grow a Meat Leaf!

Ever wondered how lab-grown chicken nuggets are made, or dreamed of creating your own Frankenfood? Join us for an exciting, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the basics of mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique—by growing your very own "meat leaf".

Inspired by a YouTube protocol from The Thought Emporium, this class will take DIY biodesign one step further, using live cells from a grocery store chicken leg to cultivate meat.

In the first session, you’ll decellularize a leaf to create a scaffold for your meat cells. Then, you’ll dissect live cells from a chicken leg, place them in a CO2 incubator, and later seed them onto your leaf scaffold. By the end of the class, you’ll get a chance to visualize your creation under a microscope—and even cook it, if you’re feeling brave! You’ll work in a fully-equipped lab, learning valuable techniques, and we’ll also cover how to set up your own DIY cell culture equipment at home (pro tip: stretch cell culture media with Gatorade!).

• Date/Time: Saturday, September 21, 2024 - Saturday, September 28, 2024 (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

• Location (🇺🇸): Biotech Without Borders 

#4. Symposium on Biodesign, Sustainability, and Living Matter

The Materiability Research Group in Dessau recently hosted a thought-provoking symposium on biodesign, sustainability, and living matter, now available to watch on YouTube (note: some parts are in German and others in English).

This three-session event dives deep into cutting-edge innovations and practices at the intersection of design and biology. 

• Session 1: Green Innovations explores robotic 3D printing with lignin and thermoplastic starch, along with bioregional architecture and design practices.

• Session 2: Organic Futures delves into the possibilities of designing with fungi, mycelium applications, and artistic research on the three-dimensional growth of living materials.

• Session 3: Redefining Sustainability covers concepts like non-machines, the ecological footprint of footwear, and other timely issues in sustainable design.

#5. Joana Martins Wins NWO Grant

Industrial Design Egnineering (IDE) Assistant Professor Joana Soares de Oliveira Martins, who has been awarded a €400,000 grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to explore CO2 absorption in cyanobacteria. Her research project, "Can Ancient Cyanobacteria Save Our Planet?", aims to advance the development of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) with high carbon capture efficiency.

ELMs integrate living microorganisms, such as photosynthetic cyanobacteria, to capture CO2 and contribute to more sustainable practices. Joana’s project will systematically explore the processes involved in CO2 absorption, unlocking the potential of these ancient organisms to create innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions.

This research arrives at a critical time in the fight against climate change, and we are excited to see the impact it will have on future sustainable technologies.

#6. Eduardo Kac Lecture

Eduardo Kac, who is often credited with coining the term "bio art," will deliver the keynote at the University’s annual Kashi and Kameshwar C. Wali Lecture in the Sciences and Humanities on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 4:30 p.m. in the Life Sciences Complex atrium. His talk, “Rockets for the Sake of Poetry,” will reflect on his 40-year career, the development of bio art, and his innovative space artworks.

Kac’s work is particularly relevant to the biodesign community as it explores the intersection of biology, technology, and art—pushing the boundaries of how living systems can be integrated into artistic expression. His pioneering use of biotechnology in art, such as creating genetically modified organisms like the GFP Bunny, highlights the possibilities for merging scientific innovation with creative practice. This resonates deeply with biodesigners exploring sustainable, living systems in their own work.

While Kac remains a controversial figure in the bio art world—especially for his use of genetic modification in living organisms—it's important that his ideas receive a fair platform for discussion. Open dialogue about the ethics, potential, and challenges of biotechnological art is critical for the future of biodesign, and this lecture offers a valuable opportunity for that conversation.

Hosted by the BioInspired Institute and its Posthumanities: Arts and Sciences research group, Kac’s lecture will also address his space art collaborations, blending science, art, and speculative futures. As part of the 2024-25 Syracuse Symposium Community, this event invites attendees to engage with challenging questions at the intersection of science and creativity.

#7. New Blog Post: The Art of Noticing Microbes

In our latest blog post, we delve into the often invisible world of microbes and explore why it's crucial for the biodesign community to notice them. Microbes—tiny organisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses—are essential to life on Earth, playing key roles in everything from natural ecosystems to biodesign innovations. But why should biodesigners care about noticing microbes, and how can this awareness transform their work?

In this article, we outline the challenges of working with microbes, from their microscopic size to their complex behaviors, and share strategies for incorporating them into sustainable, living designs. Whether it’s harnessing microbial activities as functional outputs or cultivating empathy for these tiny organisms, Noticing Microbes offers a fresh perspective on how biodesigners can engage with the unseen world around us. 

#8. Coming Soon: Brutal But Honest Book Reviews

At Biodesign Academy, we understand the challenges of navigating the world of biodesign literature, especially when books are expensive or inaccessible. That’s why we’re launching Brutal but Honest Reviews, where we give you an unfiltered look at the latest (and priciest) biodesign books—so you don’t have to splurge to find out if they’re worth it.

We know many of you are eager to learn, but often the materials available are geared toward academics or corporate insiders, leaving others in the community out. We’re here to bridge that gap by offering candid reviews to help you make informed decisions.

Watch this space for our upcoming reviews.

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

Best wishes,

Biodesign Academy