Bacterial Typography

[Type]
Biodesign
Speculative Design [Year]
2026 [Course]
MA Material Futures
Unit 1: Material Exploration
[Description] Typography experiments exploring the collaboration between computational and bacterial growth. The process started with simulating typography growth pattern, then use it as a frame to grow Paenibacillus dendritiformis, a social microorganism that forms colonies with complex and dynamic architectures.

These experiments are part of the project called Neo-Morphic, a project investigates how bacterial growth behaviour can become a form‑finding engine for surfaces, objects and landscapes in a post‑digital future.




Computational Growth



Biological Growth

Paenibacillus dendritiformis is a species of pattern-forming bacteria, first discovered in the early 90s by Eshel Ben-Jacob’s group. It is a social microorganism that forms colonies with complex and dynamic architecture
Bacilus subtilis is found in soil and the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants, humans and marine sponges. B.subtilis is rod-shaped, and can form a tough, protective endospore, allowing it to tolerate extreme environmental conditions.



Under Microscope





Staining



Process

Computational Growth
Laser Cutting with cork
Bacterial Growth
Staining
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