The Making Lab is one of the eighteen Science Technology platforms at the Francis Crick Institute, that engineer bespoke Microfluidics and Biomaterial solutions with Crick researchers. Final year Biodesign students were invited to submit proposals for final projects that could be developed in collaboration with the Institute at the Making Lab, supported by its technical and scientific staff and using their specialist technologies.
Judged on the scope and feasibility of their projects and the potential for the collaboration to support their ideas, Chris and Shijia were selected by a panel from the Crick and CSM Grow Lab to take their ideas forward.
The outcomes of their projects went on public exhibition this month – in physical form at CSM Shows: 2024,12-16 June at Granary Square and digitally on the UAL Showcase platform.
“This ethereal material emits light in response to touch. The microorganisms are encapsulated in a way which allows them to live, sequester carbon and emit light for more than 6 months; needing only sunlight in return."
How did this opportunity allow your idea and project to develop?Having access to the advanced equipment, but also the brilliant minds, inside the Francis Crick Institute meant I was much less restricted in what was technically possible for my project. I was no longer limited by the tools I had, but also, I discovered lots of new techniques and processes which I could experiment and explore with, which added new dimensions and possibilities to my project. It was a really interesting experience to be working on both ends of the technological spectrum. On the remote islands of French Polynesia where my project collaborators were based, I had to make use of the materials and microorganisms I could find around me. In contrast, at the Francis Crick Institute, I had every resource I could imagine – but I think both ways of working taught me a lot.
What specialist equipment did you use?Bioprinters, electronic discharge machines, co-axial extruders, spin coasters, vacuum casters, rheometers, biomedical 3D printers and plasma coaters! That’s a lot of complicated words and some very complicated equipment, but with the help of the team in the Crick, it allowed us to transform this living material and explore what shapes and forms might be possible.
How was your experience of working with the Crick team within a dedicated science/technology setting?Working with the Crick team, the Centre des Métiers des Arts in French Polynesia, and the Central Saint Martins technical workshops exposed me to three completely different ways of thinking and working. All passionate about innovation but approaching it in very different ways. The team at the Crick were precise needing thorough experimental plans. The workshops and Grow Lab at Central Saint Martins allowed more freeform and open experimentation. And the team at Centre des Métiers des Arts in French Polynesia were driven by curiosity, tradition and intuition.
What are your hopes and plans for your work going forward? The work has showcased that it is possible to create living materials which work in real world environments – and that has enormous potential when working with other microorganisms. I have also learned a huge amount about the interface between science and traditional knowledge and how compatible they are. While they have very different approaches, they are very motivated to work together. I would love to continue to explore this interface further.
By designing microbial architecture incorporating human bone tissue to provide sanctuaries for bacteria and algae, this project seeks to promote biodiversity and foster harmonious coexistence. Could you imagine yourself as a donor to nature, fostering a legacy of coexistence and mutual flourishing?”
How did this opportunity allow your idea and project to develop? This collaboration pushed the boundaries of my idea and gave me a chance to connect with the medical world. It provided the opportunity to test my concepts with real-world applications.
What specialist equipment did you use?I primarily used the 3D bioprinter to print the scaffold structures, which are central to my design. Additionally, I explored PDMS microfluidics molding techniques to create alternative structures when the bioprinting process faced challenges.
How was your experience of working with the Crick team within a dedicated science/technology setting?It was a whole new world for me, very different from the art and design sphere. Working with scientists gave me different perspectives and challenged me to think more deeply about my project and its development. It also pushed me to learn more about medical protocols related to my concept, which was not easy for someone without a scientific background.
What are your hopes and plans for your work going forward? I find it fascinating to merge the two worlds of art and science. I hope to continue collaborating with scientific institutions. This project has inspired me to pursue more interdisciplinary collaborations, bridging the gap between design and science to find more possibilities.