Micro-Environment Exploration Lab
DM-GY 9103 E Special Topics in Digital Media
NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Integrated Design and Media Program
Spring 2022
2/1/2022 - 5/15/2022
Instructors
Elizabeth Henaff and Sara Nejad
Summary
Metagenomics is the field of research which investigates the microbial component of our environment. It is a rapidly growing field, enabled by the recent decrease in cost and increase in throughput of DNA sequencing technology. We can now easily measure the microbial component of our environment, and have the opportunity to incorporate this new microbial metric into the design of our built environments and products.
In this class we will cover a basic understanding of the state of current research in environmental microbiomes. Students will get hands-on experience in which they will learn the computational methods to analyze genomic data. We will design physical devices to interact with this invisible component of our environment, either in the form of sampling instruments, bioreactors or bio receptive substrates that propose new symbiotic relationships with the microbial environment. In this class, we will focus on environments that have witnessed anthropogenic change such as contaminated waterways. We will also learn about multispecies design, and explore how careful anthropogenic interventions could be applied to create a more symbiotic relationship between humans and microbes in built environments.
Curricular Innovation
As the only full-time faculty at IDM with a focus on biology, I developed the curriculum for a course in Biodesign: the MicroEnvironment Exploration Lab. For this course, I developed a topic-based pedagogical approach to teach complex concepts in biology to a diverse student cohort. This course regularly hosts students from IDM, SUE, CBE, ITP and Gallatin. We collaborate with local citizen science non-profit Public Lab for field trips, and use the MakerSpace to create DIY biolab hardware. Each year, this course participates in the international design competition BioDesign Challenge, where students present their work executed over the semester at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
Syllabus
Student Work
Two student groups were selected to present their work at the BioDesign Challenge, an international design competition held in NYC at the Museum of Modern Art. This is a unique opportunity to present work in a high profile context and meet peers at institutions across the world.
