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COURSE MATERIALS
Unboxing CRISPR
for transdisciplinary learning
Materials: Theory
Using Gene Editing To Repaint Butterfly Wings
(12’11”) A video from “The Great Courses”, a series of college-level audio and video courses, on the use of CRISPR to edit butterfly wings. It focuses on the work of Arnaud Martin’s lab, from George Washington University, and how it uses CRISPR to disrupt certain genes, and then looks for changes in butterfly wing patterns, creating designs never seen in nature.
Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever – CRISPR
(16’03”) Video animation from “Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell” introducing CRISPR. It introduces the origins of genetic modification and genetically modified organisms, explains CRISPR, and how its use could shape our future.
The Genesis Engine
Amy Maxmen wrote for the Wired (August 2015 issue) about what CRISPR could mean for the world. She writes “WE now have the power to quickly and easily alter DNA. It could eliminate disease. It could solve world hunger. It could provide unlimited clean energy. It could really get out of hand.”.
Should we edit our DNA? An imagined future of gene editing
(13’02”) Published by “The Guardian”, this work of fiction imagines a future where gene editing has become mainstream and discusses the moral, ethical and political divides that this might create.
Art & Science vs. The Arts and The Sciences
A text by Laura Beloff, Aalto University, to understand and reflect on the relation between art and science.
Bioart. Trends in Biotechnology
Article: Yetison, A.K., Davis, J., Coskun, A.F., Church, G.M., Yun, S.H. (2015). Bioart. Trends in Biotechnology, 724-734, 33(12)
What Bio Art Is: A Manifesto
2017 Manifesto signed by Eduardo Kac, Marion Laval-Jeantet, Benoît Mangin, Marta de Menezes, George Gessert, Paul Vanouse
Bioart: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Using Living Tissue as a Medium
Article by Olivia Solon published in the Wired in July 2011
Thinking ‘The End of Times’: The Significance of Bioart | BioArt for Art | Education
jagodzinski, j. (2020). Thinking ‘The End of Times’: The Significance of Bioart | BioArt for Art | Education. In: Pedagogical Explorations in a Posthuman Age. Palgrave Studies in Educational Futures. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Art and Biology
Immersive Arts Alliance hosts a virtual discussion on Art and Biology. Panelists all work with Biology and Art: Emilia Tikka at Aalto University in Helsinki; Jennifer Parker at UC Santa Cruz; Danielle Siembieda, is the Deputy Director of Leonardo/ISAST. Vanessa Chang hosts this discussion and is on the Board of Immersive Arts Alliance.
Human Evolution and the Future of our Planet – LASER Talk at Aalto University
In this Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous (LASER) talk organized in Aalto University, the discussants relate to the theme of ADAPTATION / BODIES with critical questions concerning human evolution and the future of the planet.
Learn.Genetics: Genetic science learning centre
A project from the University of Utah, Learn. Genetics: Genetic Science Learning Center, has a series of simple resources introducing basic genetics. Here you can find appealing video animations with simple texts explaining DNA, genes, proteins, inheritance, mutations, RNA, and more complex concepts such as epigenetic and transgenic mice.
About Genomics
The National Human Genome Research Institute offers clear and accurate information about genomics, promoting literacy and public engagement. The Institute offers a series of educational resources, texts and illustrations, infographics and timelines, and even practical activities and class plans to introduce students to genomics.
Your genome: Discover more about DNA, genes and genomes, and the implications for our health and society
Yourgenome is a website, produced by the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge, UK, with information on genetics and genomics. On this website, you can learn about DNA, genes, and genomes, from basic biology to ethical challenges. It has texts, videos, activities, games, and animation to engage students.
What is Biotechnology, Gene editing by José Bessa
(15’36”) José Bessa, an i3S researcher, and leader of the group Vertebrate Development and Regeneration presents a short introduction to biotechnology and particularly gene editing. The tool can be used to introduce the topics of biotechnology and gene editing, teach some key concepts on the subject and trigger a larger debate on the larger implications of these technologies and how different people from different backgrounds approach the topic.
What is gene editing and how does it work?
(4’34”)A short animation from The Royal Society about gene editing and how it allows scientists to change gene sequences by adding, replacing, or removing sections of DNA.
Mutations, gene editing, and demystification of the powers of CRISPR and gene editing
(59’35”) Fábio Júnio Ferreira, an i3S researcher, presents an introduction to mutations, gene editing, and CRISPR, also trying to demystify the powers of gene editing and particularly the CRISPR technique.
The Future of Gene Editing
This text from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center introduces CRISPR and its discovery and presents a series of researchers and projects using CRISPR to treat diseases, further developing CRISPR tools and reflecting on the ethical implications of this technology and its uses.
Introduction to biotechnology
“Introduction to biotechnology” from the Khan Academy is a simple and concise overview of what is biotechnology and DNA technology. You can also find here an introduction to genetic engineering, DNA cloning, recombinant DNA, Polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing.
What is genome editing?
Introduction and overview of genome editing from the National Human Genome Research Institute. This website offers clear and accurate information about genomics, promoting literacy and public engagement.
A Brief History of Gene Editing
(1’34”)A Brief History of Gene Editing is a short video from the World Science Festival, part of the “CRISPR in Context: The New World of Human Genetic Engineering”, a debate with Jennifer Doudna, Jamie Metzl, William Hurlbut, and moderated by Guy McKhann.
History of Genetic Engineering and the Rise of Genome Editing Tools
Synthego presents a complete history of gene editing and the tools used, from the discovery of the DNA to the Nobel Prize for the development of CRISPR.
Art’s Work in the Age of Biotechnology: Shaping Our Genetic Futures
A multi-site exhibition that explores art’s relationship to biotechnology. The artists selected investigate genetic engineering technology, while grounded in both laboratory research and societal concerns.
Sputniko, Tranceflora – Kimono using a transgenic glowing silk
Sputniko designed a Nishijin-Kimono dress, using transgenic glowing silk (created by injecting the genes of a glowing coral and jellyfish into silkworm eggs), that was developed by Japan’s National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, and built a large-scale installation with 3000 transgenic silkworm cocoons.
Biohacking, Josayah Zainer ODIN
Josiah Zayner is a biohacker, artist, and scientist best known for his self-experimentation and his work making hands-on genetic engineering accessible to a lay audience, including CRISPR.
Introduction to the artwork Return to Dilmun, by Guenter Seyfried and Roland v Dierendonck
The artists Guenter Seyfried and Roland v Dierendonck present the artwork Return to Dilmun, an artwork that uses CRISP-R cas9 technology. This video can be used to show how a digital image can be translated into synthetic DNA using CRISPR/Cas9.
C-Lab, Howard Boland
C-LAB is a London-based transdisciplinary collective that uses unconventional material and emerging technologies to create unique art experiences. Installations combine the use of software, hardware, and biotechnology. C-LAB is situated within bio-art practices and makes use of genetic modification in several of the works.
Revital Cohen & Tuur Van Balen
Pigeon D’Or is artwork that consists of a series of interventions on different scales, in pursuit of making a pigeon defecate soap. In Sterile, is an albino goldfish engineered to hatch without reproductive organs. The fish were not conceived as animals but made as objects, unable to partake in the biological cycle.
Stranger Visions
Heather Dewey-Hagborg’s artwork Stranger Visions generates 3d representations of strangers from randomly collected DNA samples.
Natural History of the Enigma (Edunia)
Natural History of the Enigma is a piece of bio-art by Eduardo Kac, which is a flower that is a hybrid, made up of Petunia and Kac’s DNA.
Critical Art Ensemble
Critical Art Ensemble is a collective of five media practitioners of various specializations focusing on the exploration of the intersections between art, critical theory, technology, and political activism.
Olga Kisseleva, Eden
The EDEN project is aimed at creating a new Garden of Eden with the ultimate goal of introducing innovative technologies to art and using unorthodox thinking to solve ecological problems.
BOMBYX CHRYSOPEIA – transgenic silk
This is a project by Joe Davis in collaboration with Tara Gianoulis and Mariko Kasuya at Harvard Genetics and Hideki Sezutsu at the Japanese National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba (Japan). For “Bombyx Chrysopoeia,” they raised genetically engineered silk moths whose woven silk fibers can incorporate metals like gold or platinum.
Resurrecting the Sublime
This is a project by Joe Davis in collaboration with Tara Gianoulis and Mariko Kasuya at Harvard Genetics and Hideki Sezutsu at the Japanese National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba (Japan). For “Bombyx Chrysopoeia,” they raised genetically engineered silk moths whose woven silk fibers can incorporate metals like gold or platinum.
George Tremmel & Shiho Fukuhara, Common Flowers
This project is inspired by the first commercially available genetically modified flower, a blue carnation, that is now available in all the major markets. In Common Flowers / White Out the artists are searching for strategies to remove, disable and/or exorcise the introduced ‘blue gene’ and restore the blue carnation to its original, untainted, white state.
Introduction in CRISPR Cas 9 and its successors, by José Bessa
(37’32”)José Bessa, an i3S researcher, and leader of the group Vertebrate Development and Regeneration presents an introduction to CRISPR cas9. This presentation can be useful to introduce gene-editing key concepts, explain what’s CRISPR cas9 (a gene-editing tool that can manipulate gene expression in plants, humans, and animals) and its’ potential
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications
Howard Hughes Medical Institute – BioInteractive offers a series of classroom resources, including this interactive module exploring how CRISPR-Cas9 technology works and the many ways in which scientists are using it in their research.
Nobel Prize Lessons: Genetic scissors: a tool for rewriting the code of life
The website of the Nobel Foundation has educational materials about the Nobel prize winners, including the 2020 Chemistry Nobel Prize awarded for the discovery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. The resources include background information on CRISPR/Cas9 and its discovery for non-experts (the popular science background) and for scientists.
CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing Teaching Resources
Bio-rad provides CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing Teaching Resources explaining the bacterial origins of the CRISPR, how it was adapted for gene editing, and some of its current applications. The Classroom activities and resources include a CRISPR paper model activity, a bioinformatics activity, and a PowerPoint presentation to help guide your students through the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing lab activity.
CRISPR Digital Resources
The Innovative Genomics Institute offers educational resources on CRISPR science, including a brief introduction to CRISPR genome editing technology, uses, and ethics from Jennifer Doudna and other experts. The resources also include an illustrated glossary, hands-on interactive tools, and videos on CRISPR-cas9.
Introduction to the CRISPR/Cas9 system – A powerful method for engineering your gene of interest
Some biotechnology companies offer information and learning resources on materials and biotechnological tools including CRISPR/Cas9. This is the case of Takara’s Learning center information on how CRISPR works and how to produce sgRNA in vitro.
CRISPR CAS9 – A Brief Introduction
A video from Applied Biological Materials – abm explaining CRISPR/cas9. The video is part of the CRISPR Crash Course organized by the company.
CRISPR cas9 in creative fields, by Lucas Evers
(7’11”) Lucas Evers, the coordinator of the Open Wetlab of Waag Society, talks about how to create workshops to introduce CRISPR cas9 into creative fields while introducing the workshop “Return to Dilmun fragments”.
Make do and Mend
Make Do and Mend is an artwork by Anna Dumitriu exploring CRISPR gene editing and antibiotic resistance, referencing the first use of penicillin in humans in 1941.
Presentation of works of art and design, using CRISPR technique, by Lucas Evers
(34’59”) Lucas Evers, the coordinator of the Open Wetlab of Waag Society, presents several works of art and design using the CRISPR technique. This tool can be used in a teacher training context to develop ways to introduce CRISPR (and other scientific techniques) to students from creative fields. This video can help teachers and educators create new activities to introduce CRISPR to non-scientists.
Ethical and moral complexities and the notion of risk and contamination in artworks using CRISPR, by Agnieszka Wołodźko
(19’15”) Agnieszka Wołodźko discusses the ethical and moral complexities and the notion of risk and contamination in artworks using CRISPR. This tool can be used as an introductory resource for STEAM students and teachers as a trigger to challenge our views and introduce new interdisciplinary projects and questions.
Discussion: Why more CRISPR art?
(78’51”) Discussion: Why more CRISPR art? in the context of Hybrid Lab Network LTTA2 “Return to Dilmun fragments “This tool can be used to promote a debate on the relevance of CRISPR art, why artists explore this subject, and why and how it is a useful collaboration for scientists.
How to design sgRNA sequences
Takara’s Learning center information provides detailed information on how to choose sgRNA design tools, choose the target sequence, and design sgRNA sequences.
The Complete Guide to Understanding CRISPR sgRNA
(34’59”) Lucas Evers, the coordinator of the Open Wetlab of Waag Society, presents several works of art and design using the CRISPR technique. This tool can be used in a teacher training context to develop ways to introduce CRISPR (and other scientific techniques) to students from creative fields. This video can help teachers and educators create new activities to introduce CRISPR to non-scientists.
CRISPR Cas9 – gRNA Design
A video from Applied Biological Materials – abm explaining the design of gRNA for CRISPR/cas9. The video is part of the CRISPR Crash Course organized by the company.
Discussion: Why more CRISPR art?
(78’51”) Discussion: Why more CRISPR art? in the context of Hybrid Lab Network LTTA2 “Return to Dilmun fragments “This tool can be used to promote a debate on the relevance of CRISPR art, why artists explore this subject, and why and how it is a useful collaboration for scientists.
Ambient plant illumination could light the way for greener buildings
An interdisciplinary collaborative project between an MIT architecture professor and a professor of chemical engineering is trying to create glowing plants for lit buildings.
TX-1, Adriana Knouf
The transgender artist Adriana Knouf develops hormone replacements to travel in space.
Adam Zaretsky – artworks about speculative futures using gene modification
Adam Zaretsky is an American Wet-Lab Art Practitioner mixing Ecology, Biotechnology, Non-human Relations, Body Performance, and Gastronomy. In this text for Makery, he writes a series of speculative texts based on his own artistic practice and the ethical and philosophical questions he raises regarding contemporary biotechnological research.
I’m humanity, Etsuko Yakushimaru
Artist Etsuko Yakushimaru encoded music into the DNA of cyanobacteria.
Laura Cinti: The Cactus Project
The Cactus Project is a collaborative bio-art project resulting in cactis expressing human hair. As a transgenic work, it entails the transfer of genetic material from one species to another, in this case, the insertion of keratin genes into the cactus genome.
Joe Davis, Microvenus
Joe Davis’ Microvenus “infogene” encodes and inserts the superimposed letters “Y” and “I” (runes for “female” and “life”) into a bacterium, converting a graphic emblem into phase values and then into a nucleotide sequence.
All That I Am, Koby Barhad
Artist Koby Barhad is planning to take a different approach, using Elvis’ DNA to genetically engineer two mouse-Elvis hybrids
Drosophila Titanus, breeding of fruit fly
‘Drosophila titanus’ was a long-term project which through a process of experimentation and artificial selection aimed to develop a species of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that would be theoretically capable of living on Saturn’s largest moon Titan.
Semina Aeternitatis, Margherita Pevere
The project Semina Aeternitatis addresses questions of individual memory in the living body, by converting to genetic code a memory. The genetic code was further synthesized into a plasmid and inserted into bacterial cells. By doing so, bacteria store the woman’s transient memory in their own bacterial body.