Semina Aeternitatis: Using Bacteria for Tangible Interaction with Data
Mirela Alistar, Margherita Pevere
Abstract
We explore the potential of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules to enable new ways for humans to interact with their stories and memories via a physical interface that engages senses such as touch, smell and taste. Specifically, we embed the memories of an elderly woman inside a micro-organism by means of computing and genetic engineering. To do so, we first encoded the stories into a string of nucleotides. We next designed and fabricated a circular string by appending restriction enzymes and backbone genes. We developed specific bio-protocols to insert the fabricated molecule inside Komagataeibacter rhaeticus bacteria. The transformed bacteria were presented in an exhibition as a sculpture - Semina Aeternitatis, containing billions of copies of the original stories that people could see, touch, smell and taste. Our work is a first step towards a future where the interaction with our past will go beyond words, and take a more tangible format.