Living Logic: Masterclass

Are we entering in the age of living logic, where the programming, modelling and prediction of lifeforms is actually possible? This masterclass guides the participants towards the ethical, scientific and artistic challenges.

The masterclass is structured to promote intimate interactions including informal lectures, practical experiments, and open discussion with the following mentors:

George Church (US)
George Church is Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Director of PersonalGenomes.org, providing the world’s only open-access information source for human Genomic, Environmental & Trait data (GET).  His 1984 Harvard PhD included the first methods for direct genome sequencing, molecular multiplexing, barcoding & automation.  These lead to the first commercial genome sequence (pathogen, Helicobacter pylori) in 1994. His innovations in DNA reading, writing & cell/tissue engineering resulted in 12 companies including medical genomics (Knome, Alacris, AbVitro, GoodStart,Pathogenica), synthetic biology (LS9, Joule, Gen9, Warp Drive) as well as new privacy, biosafety & biosecurity policies. He is director of the NIH Center for Excellence in Genomic Science. His honors include election to NAS and NAE, Hoogendijk Prize & Franklin Laureate for Achievement in Science.

Joe Davis (US)
Winner of 2012 Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica, Hybrid Art
Joe Davis will give a masterclass delving into aspects of recent works like Bacterial Radio. Bacterial Radio, first part of ongoing project envisioning many different kinds of electrical circuits created with bacteria. Circuits are formed from bacteria modified with genes that impart electrical qualities to cells. Genetically modified bacteria and small amounts of growth media containing metal salts embedded in non-conductive materials and induced to plate electrical circuits. Bacterial Radio signifies artistic use of these materials to render music, voice and intellectual content off the air. Bacterial Radio represents safe and pollution-free alternatives to environmentally threatening practices.

Manuel Selg (AT)
Manuel Selg is a molecular biologist who is professor for molecular biotechnology at the Upper Austrian University of Applied Science. His interest in science communication and public outreach projects led to an involvement in building up the BioLab in the Ars Electronica Center. He designed workshops for pupils, focusing on creating a lab-learning experience outside of the school setting in a Center that crosses the borders of art and knowledge transfer. Synthetic biology is a field with many facets – creating tools using biological resources. Bacteria that have the ability to glow fluorescently in the dark can be created; however, the fragility of this alteration poses the question: How good are we as creators?

Markus Schmidt (AT)
Dr. Markus SCHMIDT has an educational background in electronic engineering, biology and environmental risk assessment. For almost 10 years now he has carried out environmental risk assessment, safety and public perception studies in a number of science and technology fields (GM-crops, gene therapy, nanotechnology, converging technologies, and synthetic biology). Markus will give an overview of art and biological practice, with a special focus on the Synth-ethic exhibition. See www.markusschmidt.eu