|17 March 2016|
USA
A pioneering new interactive exhibition opening tomorrow at the Tech Museum of Innovation will explore how biology is technology.
Located in the capital of silicon valley, San Jose, the museum will empower visitors to play, tinker and design with the building blocks of life in BioDesign Studio.
“BioDesign Studio is an experience like no other,” said Tim Ritchie, president and CEO of The Tech. “This is a space where visitors of all ages can gain a deep understanding of their own power to use synthetic biology to solve big problems, like food security and climate change. We’ll be inspiring the next generation of biotech innovators.”
BioDesign Studio features five stations that break down heavy concepts, empowering visitors to play with DNA while nurturing their own ability to design and create with biology.
“The people who need to solve the huge problems we face with global food and health 15 years down the road are the same people who will visit this exhibit right now,” said Romie Littrell, the exhibit’s developer and a leader in the DIY Bio movement. “It all begins with making them feel like biology is fun and interesting.”
Visitors will use lab equipment to create their own mix of colorful DNA; learn about genetic traits by ‘coding’ the pattern of a bear’s fur; use computerized blocks to build new creatures and release them into a digital world to interact with other beings; explore how bioengineering could impact the future; and do hands-on activities in the BioTinkering Lab.
“The world is really just starting to tap into the amazing potential of mycelium for manufacturing,” said Anja Scholze, biotech experience designer at The Tech. “We love giving our visitors a chance to explore something so fresh.”
