Biodesign through the cultivation and experimentation of symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, organized by BioLab

Plant samples in petri dishes, and derived infusions and extracts in ethanol, dry bacterial cellulose pellicles grown in comparative experiments on weighting plastic boats, wet pellicles, and inocula of a mixed culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) and G. Hansenii pure strain contained in borosilicate bottle and test tubes. Credits: Picture by @richardley 2024

This two-day hands-on workshop introduces participants to the principles of biodesign through the cultivation and experimentation with SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). Participants will explore the biological, material, and design potentials of bacterial cellulose, learning to grow SCOBY using plant-based liquids and to creatively manipulate it in both wet and dry forms. The workshop combines scientific methods with speculative design, encouraging participants to develop their own experimental biomaterials. The Workshop will be held in English.

Emma Sicher is a designer, fermenter and TEDx speaker working on materials and foods made with microorganisms. She is a PhD student in Design Studies, affiliated with the HfG Offenbach and the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity at the Humboldt University of Berlin in Germany. Her doctoral research focuses on a transdisciplinary approach merging design, microbiology, and anthropology to increase biodiversity in grown materials.