Sequencing Dreams: When Proteins Get Personal and SCOBY Gets Ambitious

Dear reader,

In the hush between curiosity and creation, new worlds quietly unfurl. This week, I bring you tales of tools that turn the language of proteins into poetry for designers, of SCOBY dreaming beyond leathery sheets into living sculptures, and of communities gathering under the Texas sky to shape materials that breathe and grow.

There’s a pulse of possibility running through it all, a reminder that biology is not merely science, but a canvas awaiting your touch. Let’s step closer to the living frontier together, where code, cells, and imagination entwine.

Biodesign Protein Vibe Coder

I recently created Biodesign Protein Vibe Coder, a custom GPT specifically for designers who want to work with biological systems but find the science intimidating.

What it actually does:

• Gives you amino acid sequences for protein research

• Recommends tools for visualization and simulation

• Breaks down lab validation processes in designer-friendly terms

• Points you toward relevant resources

Why I made this: Too many talented designers avoid bio-based projects because they think they need a science background. They don't - they just need the right bridge between creative vision and biological reality.

Whether you're exploring sustainable textiles, bio-art, or speculative materials, this tool translates the science so you can focus on the design.

[Check it out here → https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6867af861e708191b8c1a3d53f40b4cf-biodesign-protein-vibe-coder ]

Tried Biofund Scout GPT? We’re All Ears.

A few weeks back, we released Biofund Scout GPT, and it’s been incredibly popular with founders, researchers, and grant-seekers exploring the EU funding maze.

Now, we’d love to hear how you’ve got on with it.

Has it helped you find and work on new opportunities? What felt smooth, and what could be better? And would you like us to create similar GPTs for other funding types, even beyond the EU?

Reply to this message and share your thoughts. Your feedback will help us shape the next chapter of smarter, faster funding tools.

A Quick Shout-Out: Join the Engineered Living Materials (ELM) Workshop

We want to give a shout out for an exciting opportunity from Rice University in Houston, Texas. They’re organizing the Engineered Living Materials Workshop, a gathering for researchers, designers, and industry professionals to explore the future of materials made from living systems. Here’s all the detail straight from the organizers:

The Engineered Living Materials Workshop brings together researchers, designers, and companies to discuss the promise and challenge of engineered living materials (ELMs). These ‘beneficial biofilms’ can be capable of self-assembly and self-repair, surface cleaning and sealing, biosensing, or bioproduction of vitamins, drugs, and pigments, even in situ. ELMs could be applied to water or soil bioremediation, medical devices, architecture, fashion, and art. Consumer goods are being explored, such as next-gen probiotics, wound healing patches, responsive textiles, biodegradable furniture, and advanced skincare, while cutting edge research looks to enable biocomputing, 3D bioprinting, robotics, and more.

The event takes a dialogic approach where all participants are encouraged to share their perspective, develop coalitions, and impact the direction of the ELM industry. A diverse set of voices is needed to springboard ELMs to the next level and we welcome all disciplines, industries, and career levels. Presentations on the latest advances will be balanced with discussion and networking time. Find your next collaborator or big idea at the ELM Workshop!

Sessions will explore:

• Advances in manufacturing and functionality of ELMs.

• Exploration of diverse organisms and materials for ELMs.

• Current challenges in commercialization and societal adoption.

• Funding and collaborative opportunities in the ELMs field.
  Keynotes will cover use of AI, opportunities with consortia, and even use of ELMs extraterrestrially!

Find out more here: https://synbio.rice.edu/2025-elm-workshop
Abstract submission closes July 15th.

SCOBY Biodesign Idea Generator

You know how I'm always playing around with SCOBY from my kombucha brewing? Well, I've been wondering what would happen if we really pushed the boundaries of what this weird, rubbery thing could become.

So I created The SCOBY Biodesign Idea Generator - basically a collection of AI prompts that help you think way beyond "SCOBY leather."

What it actually helps with:

• Coming up with material ideas you'd never think of on your own

• Figuring out natural dyes and functional additions that actually work

• Exploring the weird stuff - like SCOBY that responds to environmental changes

• Creating realistic experimental approaches (not just wild dreams)

I've been testing these prompts myself and honestly, some of the ideas that come out are pretty mind-blowing. Like SCOBY that changes texture based on humidity, or bio-sensors that are actually grown rather than manufactured.

Here's the thing though - this isn't just about making cool stuff. It's about understanding what's actually possible when you combine traditional fermentation with modern biodesign thinking.

If you're already in the Foundational Tier, you'll get this in your vault by end of this week. If not, this might be a good reason to jump in - I'm planning more experimental toolkits like this.

The whole point is to help you see SCOBY (and other bio-materials) as design materials with untapped potential, not just trendy leather alternatives.

I believe the future of design belongs to those unafraid to explore the spaces where biology and creativity meet. With the right tools and community, even the most complex science can become part of your creative practice. Keep exploring, keep questioning, and let’s shape this living frontier together.

Until next week,
Raphael