A space for biodesigning at Aalto University
The bioMakerStudio is a DIY fabrication space, which acts as an incubator for exploring and engaging creatively with the process of biological growing, making, and designing.
We welcome creatives (researchers, students, makers, community) from any discipline who are working with (or would like to try) bio-themed projects.
NEWS
bioMakerStudio Workshop Series
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the Sustainability Action Booster Grant… [read more]
Our intention is also to be as low-threshold, accessible, flexible and open as possible. We we encourage users to be explorative, scavenge stuff, make their own tools, and try more exploratory encounters that might be otherwise hard to do in a closed lab environment.
Our space develops according to demand, and grows together with the projects and our community.
OUR APPROACH
At the bioMakerStudio, we run on a makerspace philosophy, which includes:
Learning-by-making
You learn through hands-on experiments, and by actively making and growing something. DIY (Do-it-yourself) and DIWO (Do-it-with-others) with communities.
Finding creative workarounds
This is not a scientific lab – meaning that for certain processes, you will have to find creative workarounds. Can you find replacements for tools in everyday objects, for example?
Combine fabrication techniques and fields
How can you combine different fabrication and making techniques? Biofabrication, digital fabrication, crafts, textiles… How can you combine knowledge from different disciplines?
Sharing and lowering barriers to knowledge
With the open-access mindset, you’ll share your processes and results with others, and also learn from others. How can you share your knowledge in ways that can be accessed by more people?
SPACES & EQUIPMENT
bioMakerStudio
Our current inventory includes:
• Workbenches
• DIY incubators
• DIY bioreactor (for spirulina)
• Transparent growtent
• Darkroom growtent
• Microscope
• Fridge + freezer
• Kettle
• Shelves
• UV light
• Heating pads
• Heating plates
• Humidity gauge
• Dehydrator
• Drying fan
• Scales
• Kitchen utensils (stick blender, containers, pots, etc.)
• Lab consumables (petri dishes, test tubes, cotton cloths, pH paper, etc.)
• Kitchen consumables (baking sheets, aluminium foils, paper plates, etc.)
• Ingredients for growth mediums
• Large TV screen with HDMI
• Storage space
• First aid kit
Garden
8m2 community garden plot, currently growing:
• Woad (Isatis tinctoria)
• Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria)
• Dyer’s chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria)
• Dyer’s greenweed (Genista tinctoria)
• Weld (Ruseda luteola)
• Dyer’s coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
We also have access to these facilities in the same building:
Dyeing Studio
A splash-proof kitchen-like space for wetwork with:
> Sinks
> Hobs
> Drying cabinet
> Kitchen utensils
For more, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/product/dyeing-and-surface-manipulation/
FabLab
Digital fabrication laboratory for digital fabrication, with:
> Laser cutter
> CNC machine
> 3D printers
> Electronic workstations
> Programming software
For more info, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/fablab/
WHAT CAN I WORK WITH?
We allow work with BSL0 (Biosafety Level 0) organisms, meaning that they are entry-level and food-safe in the bioMakerStudio. Currently, we are working with bacterial cellulose (SCOBY), cyanobacteria (spirulina), slime mould (physarum), mycelium (oyster and reishi), and plants (wild and grown).
Working with organisms that are highly perceptible to contamination would be very challenging in our space, as we cannot create completely aseptic conditions.
The bioMakerStudio is constantly changing. For most recent photos check out our Instagram account: @biomakerstudio
What can biomaterials bring to costume design? 🧥
Kaisa Savolainen @kaisa_jo has been experimenting at the bioMakerStudio for a costume design project.
"In my work, I have explored the potential of bacterial cellulose (SCOBY) and agar as a material. I have been particularly interested in the fleshy character of SCOBY and have tried to emphasise this in my work. I`ve been fascinated by bacteria and things that are not beautiful in a common sense. Looking from far, things are not the same as closer."
Kaisa`s work was exhibited at @aaltouniversity Väre building as part of Special Materials and Techniques in Costume Design @aaltostudios_costume_workshop
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#costume #costumedesign #sustainability #sustainabledesign #biodesign #biobased #biodegradable #agar #scoby #bacterialcellulose #exhibition #biomakerstudio #biolab
What can biomaterials bring to costume design? 🧥
Kaisa Savolainen @kaisa_jo has been experimenting at the bioMakerStudio for a costume design project.
"In my work, I have explored the potential of bacterial cellulose (SCOBY) and agar as a material. I have been particularly interested in the fleshy character of SCOBY and have tried to emphasise this in my work. I`ve been fascinated by bacteria and things that are not beautiful in a common sense. Looking from far, things are not the same as closer."
Kaisa`s work was exhibited at @aaltouniversity Väre building as part of Special Materials and Techniques in Costume Design @aaltostudios_costume_workshop
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#costume #costumedesign #sustainability #sustainabledesign #biodesign #biobased #biodegradable #agar #scoby #bacterialcellulose #exhibition #biomakerstudio #biolab
𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 🔬
| bioMakerStudio Workshop Series no.6 |
📅 December 9th, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 6pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Beginner’s guide to light microscopy. Brief introduction to basic operations and sample preparation, accompanied with DIY approaches like looking at crystal structures in polarised light and using a laser pen microscope to observe bacteria suspended in water. Bring samples that you`d like to observe!
Our instructor this week is Katri Naukkarinen @katrinaukkarinen
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No prior experience is needed!
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 💫
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#workshop #sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #microscope #bioart #microscopy #lightmicroscopy #helsinki
𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 🔬
| bioMakerStudio Workshop Series no.6 |
📅 December 9th, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 6pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Beginner’s guide to light microscopy. Brief introduction to basic operations and sample preparation, accompanied with DIY approaches like looking at crystal structures in polarised light and using a laser pen microscope to observe bacteria suspended in water. Bring samples that you`d like to observe!
Our instructor this week is Katri Naukkarinen @katrinaukkarinen
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No prior experience is needed!
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 💫
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#workshop #sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #microscope #bioart #microscopy #lightmicroscopy #helsinki
What does it mean to co-create with a non-human organism?
Today, we had a slime mold artist`s talk by Leena Pukki @leenapukki 🌟
Leena works with slime mold and film as an artistic medium. She introduced us to the organism, her artistic practise, and a small screening of her latest artworks!
We had a cozy session with coffee, snacks, and an informal Q&A ☕
At the end, everyone got to take home a small culture of Physarum to try growing at home 🏠
Thanks to those who joined us, and a special thanks to @sustainability_action_booster for funding these event series!
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#slimemoldart #slimemold #physarum #art #bioart #artisttalk #biomakerstudio #film #videoart #sustainable #biolab
What does it mean to co-create with a non-human organism?
Today, we had a slime mold artist`s talk by Leena Pukki @leenapukki 🌟
Leena works with slime mold and film as an artistic medium. She introduced us to the organism, her artistic practise, and a small screening of her latest artworks!
We had a cozy session with coffee, snacks, and an informal Q&A ☕
At the end, everyone got to take home a small culture of Physarum to try growing at home 🏠
Thanks to those who joined us, and a special thanks to @sustainability_action_booster for funding these event series!
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#slimemoldart #slimemold #physarum #art #bioart #artisttalk #biomakerstudio #film #videoart #sustainable #biolab
Preparing petri dishes for sharing our Physarum (slime molds) this Friday with some of our community members 🙌
We will have a cozy Artist`s Talk by @leenapukki ☕
This yellow creature is a single-celled organism that creeps along to look for food 🐾
Loves to eat oat flakes 🌾
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#sustainability #sustainable #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #bioart #slimemold #slimemould #physarum #artisttalk #limakko
Preparing petri dishes for sharing our Physarum (slime molds) this Friday with some of our community members 🙌
We will have a cozy Artist`s Talk by @leenapukki ☕
This yellow creature is a single-celled organism that creeps along to look for food 🐾
Loves to eat oat flakes 🌾
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#sustainability #sustainable #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #bioart #slimemold #slimemould #physarum #artisttalk #limakko
𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 🖋🥕
| bioMakerStudio Workshop Series no.5 |
📅 December 2nd, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 6pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Learn how to make inks for drawing and painting out of plants and organic kitchen scraps to create your own natural ink painting!
Our instructor this week is Ronja Tammenpää @ronjatammenpaa
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No prior experience is needed!
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 🥕
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#workshop #sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #naturalink #biocolor #naturalcolor #ink #diy #helsinki #foodwaste
𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 🖋🥕
| bioMakerStudio Workshop Series no.5 |
📅 December 2nd, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 6pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Learn how to make inks for drawing and painting out of plants and organic kitchen scraps to create your own natural ink painting!
Our instructor this week is Ronja Tammenpää @ronjatammenpaa
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No prior experience is needed!
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 🥕
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#workshop #sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #naturalink #biocolor #naturalcolor #ink #diy #helsinki #foodwaste
Phytogram workshop 🌿🎞️ led by @bioarchaeometry. Phytogram is an #alternativephotography technique using plants.
We first made our own films by placing fresh plants on the photosensitive surface. And then we had a screening to share our work 🎬
Thank you everyone for participating! And a huge thanks to @sustainability_action_booster for supporting us!
Look out for our upcoming workshops 👀
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#workshop #communityworkshop #sustainability #analoguefilm #analoguephotography #phytogram #photographytechniques #helsinki #biolab #biomakerstudio #bioart #biodesign
Phytogram workshop 🌿🎞️ led by @bioarchaeometry. Phytogram is an #alternativephotography technique using plants.
We first made our own films by placing fresh plants on the photosensitive surface. And then we had a screening to share our work 🎬
Thank you everyone for participating! And a huge thanks to @sustainability_action_booster for supporting us!
Look out for our upcoming workshops 👀
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#workshop #communityworkshop #sustainability #analoguefilm #analoguephotography #phytogram #photographytechniques #helsinki #biolab #biomakerstudio #bioart #biodesign
𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧`𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 🎬
| bioMakerStudio Event Series no.4 |
📅 November 29th, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 5.30pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Join us for a cozy artist’s talk about working with slime mold in a video art context. Brief introduction on collecting and growing slime mould from nature.
🔔 At the end of the talk, we will share some slime molds with you to take home, grow, and observe! 🔔
𝘓𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘗𝘶𝘬𝘬𝘪 @leenapukki 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦-𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘗𝘶𝘬𝘬𝘪’𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Refreshments will be provided ☕
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 💫
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through talks and hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #bioart #slimemold #slimemould #physarum #artisttalk #limakko
𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧`𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 🎬
| bioMakerStudio Event Series no.4 |
📅 November 29th, 2024
⏱️ 4pm – 5.30pm
📍bioMakerStudio, Otakaari 7, 02150
Join us for a cozy artist’s talk about working with slime mold in a video art context. Brief introduction on collecting and growing slime mould from nature.
🔔 At the end of the talk, we will share some slime molds with you to take home, grow, and observe! 🔔
𝘓𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘗𝘶𝘬𝘬𝘪 @leenapukki 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦-𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘗𝘶𝘬𝘬𝘪’𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
The events are completely FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Refreshments will be provided ☕
𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 with link in bio 💫
Places are limited!
…………….
The bioMakerStudio Workshop and Talks Series is a non-profit community engagement initiative funded by the @sustainability_action_booster grant.
Every week, we invite pioneering bio-creatives to share their techniques with you through talks and hands-on workshops.
💬 For more information, visit: https://studios.aalto.fi/biomakerstudio-ws2024/
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#sustainability #sustainabilityworkshop #biomakerstudio #community #biodesign #diy #bioart #slimemold #slimemould #physarum #artisttalk #limakko
A time lapse filming set-up 🎬 of fungi 🍄
by @henritimperi in the corner of the bioMakerStudio!
This DIY setup is made with a small tent, humidifier, baking trays, lights, and a GoPro.
Amazing to see new mushrooms popping up every day 🍄🍄🍄
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#mycelium #fungi #mushroom #biolab #biodesign #biomakerstudio #biofabrication #sustainabledesign #sustainability
A time lapse filming set-up 🎬 of fungi 🍄
by @henritimperi in the corner of the bioMakerStudio!
This DIY setup is made with a small tent, humidifier, baking trays, lights, and a GoPro.
Amazing to see new mushrooms popping up every day 🍄🍄🍄
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#mycelium #fungi #mushroom #biolab #biodesign #biomakerstudio #biofabrication #sustainabledesign #sustainability
CONTACT
If you are interested in using the bioMakerStudio or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We are always looking to expand our inventory of equipment and materials through recycled or second-hand goods. If you have any lab / makerspace equipment that you would like to donate, please let us know!
Interested in the bioMakerStudio? Contact
Ena Naito
Doctoral Researcher
ena.naito@aalto.fi
+358 50 464 4304
Co-funded by
