Under the microscope: The design potential of bacteria

Biofacture is the study of biology as a means of manufacturing new materials. For Gombosova's work, she focused on bacterial cellulose, to examine how a material could be grown rather than manufactured. The result was a concept for a device that can control the growth of the bacterial cellusose to create different patterns.

It is ‘in effect a biological printer,’ says Gombosova, ‘except the device feeds [in a] specified area to stimulate the growth.’ The concept shows the potential for such a device to create new sustainable textiles. 

For more on biofacture, see our Inform with MA Material Futures course leader, Caroline Till. Look at our Seed and Shows sections for more on graduate shows.