Bacterial Biocement: Growing Living Materials [ONLINE]

The concrete industry is one of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions, but what if we could reinvent this crucial material using the power of bacteria? With bacterial biocementation, microbes become our allies in creating a more sustainable future.

Bacterial biocement is an ancient technology in which microbes create strong crystal lattices to bind together. In this virtual workshop, we will explore how these organisms can be used to cement sand into tiles.

During this workshop, participants will:

• Understand the principles of bacterial biocementation
• Learn the process of cultivating S.pasteurii
• Gain insight into preparing molds, selecting aggregates, and customizing mixtures
• Observe a step-by-step demonstration of the biocementing process
• Engage in discussions about the current challenges and ethical implications of bacterial products

While participants won’t be cementing their own tiles during this virtual workshop, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the biocementation process.

Please note that a BL1 lab is required to safely handle live bacteria. Although this work cannot be done at home, it can be carried out at a local community lab.

Whether you’re new to microbiology or already have some familiarity, this virtual course welcomes participants of all experience leves. Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm as we explore the possibilities of the living material of the future!

Your registration gets you access to the live Zoom class, along with a recording of the class to view afterwards.

Accessibility Statement: Genspace is committed to ensuring that our online classes, events, and workshops are as accessible as possible, and can meet the ever-changing needs of our community. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of online programming, we are constantly learning and adjusting our workflows to prioritize accessibility, and we’d love to hear any feedback our community might have. Please contact us ([email protected]) if you have specific accessibility requests or questions.

Laura Maria Gonzalez (she/her) is a researcher specializing in computational design, 3D printing, and synthetic biology. Holding a Masters of Science from MIT and a Bachelors of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon, Laura’s work blends science, technology and design. Her research has been published in Nature Biotechnology, Designboom, STIRpad, and Casa Vogue. With experience as a teaching fellow at MIT, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab, and an architectural designer at SOM, Laura is committed to pioneering interdisciplinary design and technology. She continues to explore new frontiers in Architecture and material science, finding new ways to make in the future.

Instagram: @Microbi.xyz

Website: https://www.microbi.xyz/

Event Venue

Online