To set up our BioMaker Lab, we brought together the Maker community of Viva Lab and built some of the machines in a laboratory. The machine-building workshops evolved to become dynamic, collaborative gatherings where participants came together to build and develop various machines. To facilitate communication and the exchange of ideas, we created a WhatsApp group where the community could contribute files, suggestions and remote work.
This virtual space was essential for fostering continuous collaboration, allowing members to share resources and knowledge regardless of their location.
In this way, we were able to constantly maintain innovation, strengthening cohesion and team spirit within the BioMaker Lab.
In this series of meetings/workshops, we started by setting up:
- a laminar flow chamber: to create a sterile environment, guaranteeing the safety of the experiments and avoiding contamination of the samples by unwanted microorganisms; we built it by reusing two plastic boxes, a ventilation system and 3D modelling and printing some parts.
- an incubator: to provide a temperature-controlled environment for the cultivation and growth of cells, tissues or microorganisms (especially useful in areas such as cell biology, biotechnology and microbiology); this was made from a microwave.
- a magnetic stirrer: to allow liquids to be mixed efficiently; to build it, several prototypes were made and it was necessary to model and print it in 3D, for several tests of the motors to fit, and a working prototype was achieved.
-an autoclave: to sterilise materials and articles, we chose to recycle and reuse a pressure cooker.
Now the BioMaker Lab is better equipped and ready to receive more projects from the community! We're counting on you to come and share and try out your ideas! Contact us and come and visit the space.
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