About this Event
***UPDATED SCHEDULE****
3-part class:
Sunday, June 20: 2 pm - 4 pm EDT - in person lecture, lab & discussion
Sunday, June 27: 2 pm - 4 pm EDT - in person lab & discussion
Wednesday, June 30: 7 pm - 8 pm EDT - in person closing share-out & discussion (we can also broadcast this for remote participants).
We are not currently offering a virtual-only option.
The emerging multidisciplinary field of synthetic biology promises to be infinitely transformative; to problem solve in the realms of agriculture, medicine, manufacturing, and beyond. From new types of vaccines, to hornless cattle, to fabric made from spider silk, synthetic biology is focused on the notion of engineering life to collaborate productively with humans.
As exciting as these innovations are, it often seems abstract and unclear how to get started. So how do we begin to understand synbio–and how it can be used–in a manner that cuts through jargon and makes it relatable? How can everyone (especially those of us who are not biodesigners or bioengineers) participate? And as a human, what does it mean to design collaboratively with microbes?
We’ll look at some existing and some imagined applications, and consider how the development and implementation of these applications could impact the world we live in. We’ll also tinker with synbio from home by creating paintings using living bacteria. No biology experience necessary, apart from curiosity and a creative spirit!
In this workshop, you will:
- Learn about existing and potential applications of synthetic biology
- Consider the various ethical implications of this emerging technology
- Make a colorful palette of bacteria and paint an image of your choosing, using the bacteria you grew as the pigment
Image credit:
Unicorn Mosaic by SXSW participants and fluorescent E.coli bacteria, 2013
View the mosaic and individual plates!
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.
Note: This is a socially-distanced event. Masks are required to be worn for the duration of the event. If you are feeling unwell or suspect that you have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not attend. You can find a list of symptoms and a self-checker tool on the CDC website. Upon entry, guests are required to fill out our COVID-19 health screening form and show evidence of vaccination or negative COVID test using the Excelsior Pass. Given the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding the pandemic, please note that terms of this event are subject to change, and we will update you ASAP.
Meet the Instructor
Karen Ingram (she/her/hers) is an independent creative director who specializes in science communications. She has a special interest in synthetic biology and is a co-author of "BioBuilder: Synthetic Biology in the Lab” (O’Reilly, English 2016, Japanese 2018, Russian 2019). Karen is an emerging technology fellow at Stanford’s d.school, working with the Teaching and Learning Team and the K-12 lab to design communication tools for Synthetic Biology. Learn more about Karen and her work at kareningram.com and colabfutures.com. You can also find her on Twitter & Instagram at @krening.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Genspace, 132 32nd Street, Brooklyn, United States
USD 75.00 to USD 150.00