Introduction to BioDesign

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, this program has been cancelled for 2020. Please check our website for the new TU Berlin Summer University Online program.

Introduction to BioDesign offers students the opportunity to envision future applications of biotechnology. The course covers various interaction and design techniques for working with living media. Five most used design techniques will be explored in the context of bioluminescent bacteria and algae.

Moreover, students will learn, in a practical manner, how to culture these micro-organisms, and how to build tools that allow them to engage with the living organisms.

The course is mostly hands-on, i.e., it involves two practical sessions per week.

Course leader

Prof. Dr. Mirela Alistar, University of Colorado, Boulder

Target group

The target group includes current university students who have completed at least one year of their studies (Bachelor's, Master's or PhD level). Working professionals with equivalent work experience are also welcome to apply.

Course aim

Upon course completion students should be able to culture Photobacterium Ph. and P. fusiformis, and use it as living media in a product they design themselves. Students should have a working understanding of the biodesign process. Students will be familiar with how to approach micro-organisms, how to build tools needed to culture them, what safety measures need to be taken and how biodesign impacts the society and the environment. Each student will design and conceptualize based on living media, in order to innovate the future.

Credits info

3 EC
3 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) for the academic course.

Fee info

EUR 950: The fee covers public transportation for the duration of the course, excursions, course materials, and a cultural program.