Responsible AI x Biodesign, first conference, open online course

Hello Biodesign Community,

It feels wonderful to reconnect with you all after our unexpected hiatus. These past few months have certainly been... eventful, to say the least.

Between navigating a persistent seasonal illness that overstayed its welcome and the beautiful chaos that comes with a one-year-old daughter whose vocabulary currently consists of enthusiastic babbles and determined pointing, our weekly newsletter temporarily took a backseat.

My daughter may not have words yet, but she's mastered the art of communication through an impressive repertoire of coos, giggles, and the occasional emphatic squeal when she wants something.

The way she lights up when I enter the room after being away makes all those sleepless nights worthwhile, though they haven't been particularly conducive to newsletter writing.

Thank you for your patience during this unexpected pause. We've got a packed issue for you this week, with interesting developments that have unfolded during our absence and exciting new content on the horizon.

Let's get into it!

In Brief (“TLDR”)

1. Responsible AI x Biodesign celebrates its first anniversary, highlighting global commitment to ethical AI practices in biodesign with extensive scientific support.

2. BIODESIGN: 1st International Conference is announced, offering an interdisciplinary platform for groundbreaking research in design, biology, computation, and sustainability, scheduled for late summer 2026 at TU Delft.

3. Fungal Matters, a newsletter by Elise Elsacker, provides fascinating insights into living materials and their potential to reshape sustainable design.

4. Upcoming webinar on Biotic Games will explore the interactive potential of microorganisms in gameplay, bridging biology, technology, and design.

5. A new free online course, Materials Design for Transition toward Regenerative Ecologies, offers practical and theoretical insights into sustainable material innovations, led by experts from Politecnico di Milano.

Responsible AI x Biodesign: 1-Year Anniversary

This month marks roughly one year since Responsible AI x Biodesign initiative launched on March 8, 2024, bringing together minds from across the biodesign landscape to ensure AI advances in protein engineering move forward responsibly.

At its heart, this initiative focuses on values we can all get behind—safety, security, fairness, global collaboration, transparency, and genuine societal benefit. The group has outlined ten practical commitments, including thorough safety assessments for AI models, improved DNA synthesis screening, and international cooperation to guide protein design in beneficial directions.

What's especially encouraging is the broad support this effort has gathered. Over 150 leading scientists from 28 countries have signed on, including notable figures like Nobel laureate Frances Arnold and Microsoft's Chief Scientific Officer Eric Horvitz. Their involvement signals how important responsible innovation has become across the scientific community.

As a signatory myself, I've seen firsthand how this initiative is helping us navigate the exciting but complex intersection of AI and biological design. The biodesign field is evolving rapidly, and having shared principles help us to make sense of, and to utilize AI's potential while addressing potential risks.

If you're interested in adding your name to this initiative, check out the initiative's sign-on page where you can view current supporters and learn how to join. Your signature helps strengthen the collective commitment to AI and biodesign innovations that is both groundbreaking and responsible.

1st International Biodesign Conference Announced

In a landmark development for our field, we're thrilled to learn the news of a first dedicated scientific conference focused entirely on biodesign.

After years of remarkable growth and innovation across design, architecture, and human-computer interaction, our community will finally have a dedicated gathering space to showcase our collective work.

Led by Elvin Karana and Martyn Dade-Robertson, BIODESIGN: The 1st International Conference on Emerging Research at the Crossroads of Design, Biology, Computation, and Sustainability will serve as a biennial platform for interdisciplinary research, methodologies, and design artefacts.

The timing couldn't be better as biodesign continues to mature into a robust field with diverse approaches and applications. Beyond highlighting technical and methodological innovations, the conference aims to foster crucial conversations around ethics, inclusivity, and the broader societal impact of biodesign.

Key Dates & Information:

• Call for Participation: April 2025

• Submission Deadline: February 2026 (full papers and pictorials)

• Conference Location: Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, TU Delft, Netherlands

• Conference Date: Late summer 2026

Further details regarding specific dates, local chairs, the scientific program committee, and submission guidelines will be announced in the coming months.

The conference represents a significant milestone in the evolution of biodesign as a discipline. We encourage all members of our community to consider participating in this groundbreaking event and help shape the future of our field!

Newsletter Spotlight: Fungal Matters

Where Biology Meets Design: Elise Elsacker's Living Materials Exploration

Recently, we’ve discovered a newsletter that stands at the fascinating intersection of biotechnology, materials science, and innovative design. Fungal Matters, written and curated by researcher Elise Elsacker, offers readers a unique perspective on how living materials—particularly fungi—might reshape our relationship with the built environment.

After dedicating a decade to biodesign research, Elise launched Fungal Matters to share her experiences as what she calls an "odd duck"—a designer working in biolabs where scientific rigor typically takes precedence over creative exploration. Her background uniquely positions her to bridge these two worlds, translating complex biological concepts into tangible design applications.

Her latest article, "The Dynamic Aesthetics of Living Materials," challenges conventional notions of static design. Elise envisions surroundings that mirror nature's constantly evolving systems—spaces and materials that are alive, fluctuating, and responsive, engaging our senses through perpetual change.

What makes Fungal Matters particularly compelling is its blend of research-based insights with speculative near-future scenarios. Readers can expect vivid explorations of biotechnological innovations that push the boundaries of sustainability, along with stories that balance scientific foundation with imaginative possibility.

For those curious about how fungi might transform construction materials, products, and textiles—or anyone interested in the evolving relationship between design, biology, and environmental challenges—Elise’s newsletter offers a thoughtful window into this emerging field.

Subscribe to Fungal Matters at eliseelsacker.substack.com to join the conversation about how living systems might soon revolutionize conventional manufacturing and design thinking.

Event Spotlight: Biotic Games Webinar, Bridging Microbial Life and Digital Play

The Biodesign Challenge (bdc) is hosting a global webinar this Thursday, 13 March 2025, at 12:00 PM (ET) / 5:00 PM (CET) exploring biotic games – an emerging field where microorganisms become part of interactive gameplay.

I'm honored to be invited by bdc to deliver this webinar and look forward to contributing to the conversation around this exciting intersection of biology and gaming. In this session, I'll introduce the concept of biotic gaming and examine how these unique interfaces can create meaningful human-microbe interactions.

The webinar will cover:

• Definition and historical context behind biotic games

• Notable projects currently shaping the field

• Creative and technical challenges in biotic game design

• Ethical considerations that arise in this work

• Practical approaches to designing your own biotic games

This free online event should interest students, designers, and anyone curious about the intersections of biology, technology, and game design. Register now to secure your spot.

New Online Course: Materials Design for Transition toward Regenerative Ecologies

We’re excited to share news of an innovative online course, Materials Design for Transition toward Regenerative Ecologies, developed by the Materials Design for Transition research group at Politecnico di Milano. This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) offers an exploration of how contemporary design practices can integrate advanced material strategies to foster sustainability, circularity, and regenerative futures.

Course Highlights:

Participants will explore biofabricated materials, biocomposites, and materials derived from waste, assessing their potential in real-world and speculative design scenarios. The course blends theoretical knowledge with practical insights, empowering students and professionals to critically examine how material innovations can reduce environmental impact and drive sustainable practices.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand fundamental concepts in biodesign, circular economy, bioeconomy, and regenerative design.

• Gain practical knowledge of innovative material solutions for sustainable design.

• Develop skills in materials-driven design approaches to address environmental challenges.

Course Faculty:

• Prof. Valentina Rognoli

• Sofia Soledad Duarte Poblete

• Elena Albergati

Enrollment:

The MOOC is freely accessible online as part of the Edvance project, funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU.

Take this opportunity to advance your understanding and application of materials design in building a sustainable and regenerative future.

Access the MOOC and join the community here.

As we wrap up this issue, I'm reminded of the incredible momentum in our biodesign community—from responsible AI initiatives to new a conference, an engaging newsletter like Fungal Matters, explorations in playful human-microbe interactions, and innovative educational resources. These developments speak to a field that continues to evolve and mature in exciting ways.

I look forward to being back in your inbox next week with more insights, updates, and discoveries from the ever-expanding world of biodesign. Until then, keep exploring the fascinating intersections of biology, design, and technology that make our field so uniquely positioned to address today's challenges.

With gratitude for your continued engagement,

Raphael

P.S. Have you come across an interesting biodesign project or resource lately? Reply to this email—I'd love to feature community discoveries in upcoming issues!