BIOTEKNICA
+ laboratory

BIOTEKNICA

The projects purpose was to investigate the ethics, aesthetics, and technological potential for new art/life forms that lie at the intersection of art and the biological sciences in art installations, performances, digital presence, writings, media intervention and various presentations.

• 20+ exhibitions and performances at international art venues 

• 35+ public lectures and conference presentations 

• Over $350,000.00 in external grant funding, and over $150,000.00 in-kind funding 

• Many media citations, 6 chapter publications, 5 video productions, 2 websites 

• 15+ student and external research hires

The wet-lab protocols used in the BIOTEKNICA project intersect tissue engineering, cell biology, and critical art practices. Developed using P19 mammalian tumor cell lines, Hacket (Human skin cell line), 3T3s (mouse fibroblast cell lines) and 3D polymer matrices housed in synthetic bioreactors, these procedures transformed sterile scientific methods into creative provocation.

Research Fellow SymbioticA

4 & 6 month Residency & Staff Position – School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology  – UWA, Perth, Australia.  2004 & 2006.

Completed a series of art/science workshops and research training courses based in the biological sciences.

Obtained Human Anatomy Lab Research License.

PAWS Animal Ethics Training Certification Course. (Animal Research Ethics and Sacrifice Techniques)

Completed Human Human Ethics Research application for the Science Committee at UWA. 

Microscopy (Digital Imaging, Still and Time Lapse Techniques)  (Guy Ben-Ayr)

Mammalian Tissue Culture Experimentation (Hackett – Human Epithelial, P19 – Mouse Teratoma, 3T3 – Mouse Epithelial).

Nutrient Serums, Sterile Technique, Passaging, Sacrifice techniques for 2D and 3D Tissue Culture  (Dr. Cynthia Verspaget, Oron Catts & Dr. Ionat Zurr)

Bioreactor Operation for 3D Tissue Culture Growth  (Oron Catts)

Cryogenics for Tissue Culture Suspension and Reanimation.  (Dr. Ionat Zurr) 

GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) Genetic Modification of E. Coli Bacteria. (Gary Cass)

DNA Gene Sequencing, Extraction, Enzymatic Isolation and Amplification. (Gary Cass)

3D Scaffold Casting and Modeling for Bio-Polymers.  (Oron Catts)

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of GMO GFP E. Coli DNA (Gary Cass)

Large Format 3D Scanning of Body Modeling and Anatomical Sculptures  (University of Adelaide – Department of Kinesiology).

Establishing Primary Cell lines for Tissue Culture  from Mammalian Tissues (Dr. Stuart Hodgetts)

Attended Avian DNA Hybridization Workshop  Gorlaeus Laboratory, Universitat Leiden, The Netherlands. 

Techniques for Manufacture of Microsurgery Tools  (Dr. Adam Zaretsky)

Pheasant and Quail Embryonic DNA Hybridization Workshop  (Dr. Adam Zaretsky)

Advanced Mycological Experimental Research  (R. Knight – 666 AOP)

Dissection Microscopy Techniques (Digital Imaging, Still and Time Lapse Techniques)   (Dr. Adam Zaretsky)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mve5b8RW6_8&t=1s

DNA Extraction & Purification Workshop (co-organizer)

FoFA Gallery, February 17, 2008 Organized in conjunction with BIOTEKNICA: LifeLifeLab Exhibition.  Presented by Dr. Adam Zaretsky.

BIOTEKNICA: Laboratory Remix (2026)
Digital Image

Dr. Jennifer Willet + Jason Knight
BIOTEKNICA: Teratogenesis P19 cell death - Apoptosis - Symbiotica 2006