Biologic Origami -- Using Living Cell as Design Tools

MIT IAP Class 2016

In our bioLogic research, we developed a transformable living actuator using Natto cells. To further search its possibilities, we organized a hands-on short term class for students at MIT in winter 2015. We try to explore the tangible biological interface and digital design, and vision to reach a controllable performance. We provide students with the concepts and tools for designing complex biological origami structures with living microorganism entities, where synthetic biology, architectural modeling, rational engineering and tangible design, will be seamlessly merged together.  

Instructors

Lining Yao - PhD candidate in Media Art and Science
Jifei Ou - PhD candidate in Media Art and Science
Wen Wang - Post-doc. in Chemical Engineering
Chin-Yi Cheng - M.S. Candidate dual in Design Computation and Computer Science
Helene Steiner - M.S. in Industrial Design
Kangjian Qiao - Post-doc. in Chemical Engineering

Working Progress

Final Outcome