Bio-calibrated: tools and techniques of biodesign practices
Nancy Diniz
Abstract
Biodesign is a recent discipline broad in scale and scope, reaching towards solving complex ecological issues such as climate breakdown, pollution, biodiversity loss and social justice. Designers manipulate living matter and translate scientific discoveries and methods into real-world applications. Although some specialization and knowledge have emerged from working with specific organisms like algae, mycelium, bacteria, for example, the variety and vastness of the natural sciences require a greater understanding of the intricacies of the collaborative nature and interrelationships between lab protocols, scientific tools and methods and the tools and techniques for design production. As a result, the ingenuity of biodesigners to adapt, transform and invent new interdisciplinary methods is an emerging space. We are looking at presenting and discussing the invention of new technical skills, toolkits and machines that allow for the calibration and manipulation of living systems for the the advancement of the discipline of Biodesign.