London Based Biotech Firm Utilizes Bacteria to Dye Textiles

A glimpse into a multi-disciplinary design agency, Faber Futures, led by Natsai Audrey Chieza. The forward thinking firm is suggesting new ways of dyeing textiles for a greener textile industry. 

Published on March 22, 2021
faber-futures-bacteria-dye-textiles-traceitlab

London Based Biotech Firm Utilizes Bacteria to Dye Textiles

A glimpse into a multi-disciplinary design agency, Faber Futures, led by Natsai Audrey Chieza. 

Faber Futures

Faber Futures is a London based multidisciplinary design agency  that fuses science, technology, nature, design, and society to create revolutionary and forward thinking products and materials.

Among many of their ingenious endeavors is Project Coelicolor (Index Award 2019 Winner).

This project is in collaboration with Professor John Ward of the Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London.

The founder of Faber Futures, Natsai Audrey Chieza, was introduced to Streptomyces coelicolor (bacteria),which was utilized in Professor John Ward’s lab for a research regarding antibiotics. However, bio-designer Chieza was intrigued by its ability to produce a pigment and saw the potential of transferring this quality to the textile industry. 

The bacteria attaches to these fibers and produces a pigment without the use of chemicals and with much lower water(up to 500 times) consumption than the conventional textile dyeing mechanisms.

faber futures traceitlab

What is Streptomyces coelicolor ?

Streptomyces coelicolor is a soil-dwelling organism. Most commonly known to be used to produce antibiotics.
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Actinobacteria
faber-futures-traceitlab

How does Streptomyces coelicolor produce the dye ?

When Streptomyces coelicolor is brought in contact with protein fibers. Meaning the bacteria is allowed to grow on to the textile, the bacteria attaches to these fibers and produces a pigment without the use of chemicals and with much lower water (up to 500 times) consumption than the conventional textile dyeing mechanisms.

What colors does it produce ?

As stated, the colors of the bacteria are blue, however, can be altered in the lab to produce the colors of red, pink, or purple. 

What does this mean for the textile industry ?

The fashion and textile industry is lively and brave industry, however, just as wasteful and harmfully impacting and depleting our scarce resources on Earth.
 
On the other hand, the recent fusions among biotech, science, technology, and fashion industry are producing ingenious and green solutions that may revolutionize how we make and produce our garments in the future for a greener world.
 
Faber futures’ project, Project Coelicolor, is not a one-day experiment or exploration, the project’s journey started back in 2011 and it is continuously evolving and developing to this day. Faber Futures led by Natsai Audrey Chieza offers a revolutionary solution to how we dye our products alongside other promising biotech firms.
 
Algiknit is a biotech startup that is producing a material based from kelp. To learn more about this, read the full story here.

Join the community

Get monthly insights and be the first to know.

Thanks for subscribing!

Processing...

Similar Stories

// #10 NFTs Daily Inspiration

// #10 NFTs Daily Inspiration

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe NFTs Daily Inspiration Explore our daily picks of NFTs: crypto Inspiration by different…

Enjin Launches JumpNet – Here’s What You Need to Know

Enjin Launches JumpNet – Here’s What You Need to Know

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Enjin Launches JumpNet – Here’s What You Need to Know Enjin Launches JumpNet…

Biophilic Design Series : Plants that Grow Well Together

Biophilic Design Series : Plants that Grow Well Together

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Biophilic Design Series : Plants that Grow Well Together A beginner’s guide to…

Biophilic Design : What is it & Why Does it Matter ?

Biophilic Design : What is it & Why Does it Matter ?

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Biophilic Design : What is it & Why Does it Matter ? Read…

Biophilic Design Series : A Town Conquered by Nature

Biophilic Design Series : A Town Conquered by Nature

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Biophilic Design Series : A Town Conquered by Nature An abandoned village that…

Autism Awareness Day : Design for Autism

Autism Awareness Day : Design for Autism

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Autism Awareness Day : Design for Autism Inclusive design should extend to the…

VR-AR Apps for Immersive Learning

VR-AR Apps for Immersive Learning

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe VR-AR Apps for Immersive Learning Below are a few creative VR-AR apps that…

Carrefour Utilizes Blockchain to Trace Textile Products

Carrefour Utilizes Blockchain to Trace Textile Products

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Carrefour Utilizes Blockchain to Trace Textile Products The French retail giant expands its…

A Biotech Startup is Utilizing Bacteria to Make Sustainable Dye for Denim

A Biotech Startup is Utilizing Bacteria to Make Sustainable Dye for Denim

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe A Biotech Startup is Utilizing Bacteria to Make Sustainable Dye for Denim In…

// #9 NFTs Daily Inspiration

// #9 NFTs Daily Inspiration

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe NFTs Daily Inspiration Explore our daily picks of NFTs: crypto Inspiration by different…

Enjin (ENJ) Price is on the Rise for the Past Month – Here’s Why

Enjin (ENJ) Price is on the Rise for the Past Month – Here’s Why

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe Enjin (ENJ) Price is on the Rise for the Past Month – Here’s…

Nanollose : Australian Based Biotech Firm produces Tree-Free Rayon

Nanollose : Australian Based Biotech Firm produces Tree-Free Rayon

A glimpse at Nanollose, an Australian firm that produces Tree-Free Rayon. 

// #8 NFTs Daily Inspiration

// #8 NFTs Daily Inspiration

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe // #8 NFTs Daily Inspiration Explore our daily picks of NFTs: crypto Inspiration…

// #7 NFTs Daily Inspiration

// #7 NFTs Daily Inspiration

Studio Home Events Studio Home Events Subscribe NFTs Daily Inspiration Explore our daily picks of NFTs: crypto Inspiration by different…

GameTalkTalk, South Korea’s Largest Social Gaming App to Mint Low-Carbon NFTs

GameTalkTalk, South Korea’s Largest Social Gaming App to Mint Low-Carbon NFTs

As the popularity of NFTs surges so does the concern and controversary regarding their energy consumption and their effects on…

traceitgreen trl logo

©2021. Traceitlab. All Rights Reserved.