Difference between revisions of "Group:Biohacking"

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We are the '''biohacking''' or '''DIY biology''' group at the London Hackspace, a mix of amateur and professional biologists, attracted by the potential of molecular and synthetic biology. Anyone is welcome, so get involved! It's fascinating, the field and community is growing all the time, together with the ability of amateurs to do cool stuff. Over the past year we've been developing our equipment, optimising techniques and running some research projects. Here's quite a good short [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19964886 local news video] showing our lab and some of what we do in it.
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{{Group
 +
|logo=Biohack_logo.png
 +
|name=Biohacking
 +
|when=Every Wednesday
 +
|what=
 +
|time=19:30
 +
|recurring=1}}
  
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[[:Category:Biohacking|List of biohacker wiki pages.]]
+
We are the '''biohacking''' or '''DIY biology''' ([http://openwetware.org/wiki/DIYbio/FAQ Official FAQ about DIY-Biology]) group at the London Hackspace, a mix of amateur and professional biologists, attracted by the potential of molecular and synthetic biology. Anyone is welcome, so get involved!
  
−
We also maintain an outward facing website at [http://biohackspace.org/ BioHackspace.org]
+
Over the past couple of years we've been developing our equipment, optimising techniques and running some research projects. Here's quite a good short [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19964886 local news video] showing our (previous, smaller) lab and some of what we do in it.
  
−
== How to use this wiki ==
+
We will soon be meeting every month, check back here for our 2019 restart.
 +
We have a list of [[Biohacking FAQ|frequently-asked questions]].
  
−
This wiki is intended to be our main place where we share information on our group and our projects. If you want to go to our main, non-wiki, public facing site, go [http://biohackspace.org/ here] To see results, procedures and some discussion of our projects go to the individual [[Project:Biohacking#Our_current_projects_.2F_schedule|project pages]]. For more general techniques and procedures see the [[Project:Biohacking#Our_standard_protocols_.2F_how_to.27s|protocols section]]. For information on getting hold of equipment and reagents, see the [[Project:Biohacking#Our_reagents_.2B_equipment|here]]. Please feel free to add or improve any information, it is a wiki after all...
+
[[:Category:Biohacking|'''List of biohacker wiki pages.''']]
  
−
== Our current projects / schedule==
+
We also maintain an outward facing website at [http://biohackspace.org/ BioHackspace.org]
−
We're currently working on getting competent in various techniques of synthetic biology: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, ligation and transformation. Once we can do this, and have been certified as a class 1 lab, we plan to start synbio experiments.
 
−
Right now we're working on genetic testing, identifying specific genes using PCR and electrophoresis. We've been working mainly on [[sex typing with amelogenin]] and [[Blood typing]]. In August and September we worked with the [http://2012.igem.org/Team:University_College_London/HumanPractice/DIYbio UCL igem team] to develop a 'public biobrick'.
 
  
−
* [[Public Biobrick]] (in collaboration with the UCL igem team)
+
== How to find us ==
−
* [[Sex typing with amelogenin]]
+
# Email us [mailto:hello@biohackspace.org here]. You can also sign up to our mailing list where we do most of our communication [https://lists.kentgeek.org/mailman/listinfo/lhs-biohacking here] (if you see a warning ignore it) (Your posts will be moderated unless you're signed up to the list. If you want to be signed up to the list but not receive messages you can change this in the options). You can view the mailing list archives through the previous link or through the [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/london-biohackers google groups] interface. To chat in more detail request a signup to our slack channel using the email address above, or join our irc channel at [http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=london-biohackers #london-biohackers on freenode]
−
* [[Plant species testing]]
 
−
* [[Growing bacteria]]
 
−
* [[Project:Biohacking/Genetic modification|Genetic modification]]
 
−
* [[Blood typing]]
 
−
* [[Making our own reagents]]
 
−
*[[Project:Biohacking/Algal_biodiesel|Algal biodiesel]] (on hold)
 
−
*DNA forensics (on hold)
 
−
* [[Other genetic tests to try]]
 
  
−
===Schedule===
+
== Biohackspace Membership ==
 +
We're a subgroup of the London Hackspace, and our rent and utility bills are paid as part of the larger space. Therefore it's London Biohackers also need to be members of the hackspace. You can find out how to become a hackspace member [https://london.hackspace.org.uk/signup.php here].
  
−
*First half of 2013 - If hackspace move goes ahead, secure a larger area for biohacking, and get the H&S approval to do GM work there. Then do GM work! To start off - transformer protocol, genomikon kit, then GFP.
+
There is a separate subscription for the biohacking group. Biohacking is more expensive than the typical hackspace activity, and with your membership we can pay for reagents, lab consumables and any equipment we may need for our experiments. The suggested minimum donation is £2 a week, but again, you can come along without joining. If you start to come regularly and use consumables then we'd like you to pay.  Details on how to setup payment to become a biohackspace member are here: [[London Biohackers Membership | Details of Membership]].
  
−
== People ==
+
We also have an arrangement for people who just want to support the biohackspace work and lab costs, and do not intend to regularly attend the biolab to do science. If you want to become a remote member, or to donate equipment and make a regular contribution, and you can make contact [mailto:hello@biohackspace.org here by email], or see the [[Remote Membership|Donations/Remote members]] page for more details.
−
Andy, Ben, Jim, Joel, Leo, [[User:Simulacrum|Lui]], Mike, [[User:Wzdd|Nicholas]], Paddy, Paul, Raphael, Simon, Taylor, Tom, Tonderai, [[User:mycoplasma|Will]], Hamilton
 
  
−
== How to find us ==
+
However it's not essential to become a member just to come along initially and find out what we do.
−
# Come to the [[Weekly_Open_Evenings|Hackspace Open Evening]] - every tuesday from 7:30pm. There should be a few of us around to show you the lab and give you an idea of what we do. If you want to make sure we find each other you can email us to let us know you're coming.
 
−
# Email us [mailto:hello@biohackspace.org here]. You can also sign up to our mailing list where we do most of our communication [https://lists.kentgeek.org/mailman/listinfo/lhs-biohacking here] (if you see a warning ignore it) (Your posts will be moderated unless you're signed up to the list. If you want to be signed up to the list but not receive messages you can change this in the options). You can view the mailing list archives through the previous link or through the [https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/london-biohackers google groups] interface.
 
  
−
== Membership ==
+
== Organization ==
−
We're a subgroup of the London Hackspace, and our rent and utility bills are paid as part of the larger space. Most of us are paying members of the hackspace, you can find out how to become a hackspace member [https://london.hackspace.org.uk/signup.php here]. However it's not essential to become a member just to come along initially and find out what we do.
 
  
−
We also have a special membership for biohacking. Biohacking is more expensive than the typical hackspace activity, and with your membership we can pay for reagents, lab consumables and any equipment we may need for our experiments. The suggested minimum donation is £2 a week, but again, you can come along without joining. If you start to come regularly and use consumables then we'd like you to pay. To find out how to pay biohacking membership, [mailto:membership@biohackspace.org contact us]
+
The biohackspace operates as a Company Limited by guarantee. The legal details of this are [[London Biological Laboratories|here]]
  
−
== Our lab ==
+
== Projects ==
 +
We are currently well equipped to carry out molecular biology experiments.  The lab space on Hackney Road was a CL1 approved lab and we are aiming to reestablish that in Wembley.
  
−
[[Lab|Biohacking lab]]
+
=== Current Projects ===
 +
* Hacking the lab
 +
* * Recommissioning RO water system
 +
* * Recommissioning Laminar Flow system
 +
* * Building Laminar Flow System into a hood
 +
* Culturing Local Algae
 +
* Lab Automation
 +
* Stirling Engine for Cryogenics
  
−
== Our standard protocols / how to's ==
+
=== Completed Projects ===
  
−
*[[DNA extraction using Chelex 100]]
+
* [http://2015.igem.org/Team:London_Biohackspace iGEM 2015]
−
*[[DNA extraction and precipitation with ethanol / isopropanol]]
+
* [[Project:iGEM 2014]]
−
*[[Biohacking/Equipment/Thermal_Cycler_(Perkin_Elmer_480)#How_to_use_it:|Run PCR]]
+
* [[Project:Flow Hood]]
−
*[[Make and run an agarose gel]], then visualise with UV
+
* [[E. coli transformation]]
 +
* [[Image Focus Stacking]]
 +
* [[CL1_BSO_SOP_GLP|Lab Containment Level 1]]
 +
* [[Project:Growing bacteria|Growing V. fischeri]]
 +
* [[Project:Sex typing with amelogenin]]
 +
* [[Project:Public Biobrick]] (in collaboration with the UCL igem team)
 +
* [[Blood typing]]
 +
* [[Project:Plant species testing]]
 +
* [[Project:Gel electrophoresis box]]
 +
* [[Project:Shaker platform]]
  
−
== Our reagents + equipment ==
+
=== Future Projects ===
−
*[[Biohacking/Wetstuff | Wet stuff]]: our inventory of primers, buffers, stains...
+
* [[Project:Making our own reagents]]
−
*[[Biohacking/Equipment/Thermal_Cycler_(Perkin_Elmer_480) | Thermal Cycler (PCR Machine) Perkin Elmer 480]]
+
*[[MindControlBacteria]]
−
*[[Gel electrophoresis box]]
+
* More and more becoming current project :)
−
* [[Big centrifuge]]
+
Add your own!
−
* Variable V/I electrophoresis power supply.
 
−
* [[Incubator with shaker]]
 
−
* Two centrifuges - speed ~1400 rpm. Max capacity about 15ml.
 
−
* One microcentrifuge: 6000 or 14000 rpm. For 1.5ml tubes. Can also take 0.5ml tubes with washers.
 
−
* Various flasks and beakers
 
−
* Scale down to 0.1g
 
−
* 1-10ul pipette + tips. Tips available for £27.60 from [http://www.nbsbio.co.uk/product.asp?pID=11817 NBSbio]
 
−
* 5-50ul pipette + tips. Tips from NBSBio or from [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pipette-Tips-Yellow-5-200ul-Non-Sterile-pk-1000-/190764709800?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c6a7677a8 microsupplies]
 
−
* 100-1000ul pipette
 
−
* Pasteur pipettes (50 for £3 from [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3ml-Plastic-Pasteur-Pipette-transfer-pipette-bag-50-/160960115642?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Lab_Supplies_ET&hash=item2579f873ba cheaplabstuff])
 
−
* 0.5ml PCR tubes. 1000 for £24 from [http://www.nbsbio.co.uk/product.asp?pID=12113&cID=275 nbsbio]
 
−
* 1.5ml tubes. 100 for £3 from ebay or 1000 from NBSbio.
 
−
* Pressure cooker (goes up to 15PSI and 121°C (this is industry standard, not actually tested) to be used as autoclave. Autoclave tape.
 
  
−
=== Shopping list (See [[Biohacking/Wetstuff|wet stuff]] for sources and prices not listed here) ===
+
== Our lab ==
−
 
+
Our lab is small in size but we have tried to make good use of the tight space to incorporate all the equipment we need to carry out interesting projects. You can see a [[Lab|floor plan of the lab here]].  
−
* 1-10ul tips (quite a few left but running low)
 
−
* 100-1000ul pipette tips for new pipette. [http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Micro-Supplies/_i.html?rt=nc&_sid=674405994&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1 Microsupplies] sells 1000 for £8.90 + shipping
 
−
* More autoclavable glass beakers, conical flasks and tubes.
 
−
* [http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=conductive+paint&_sop=15 conductive paint]
 
−
* Bucket for sink drainage
 
−
* Petri dishes
 
−
 
 
−
=== Suppliers ===
 
−
 
 
−
* [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-kingdom.html Sigma-Aldrich] - Good for custom primers
 
−
* [http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/ Cole-Parmer]
 
−
* [http://uk.farnell.com/ Farnell]
 
−
* Chang bioscience - pipettes
 
−
* [http://www.nbsbio.co.uk/ NBSBio] - Good for ladders and cheap agarose (only low concentration) NB: Be sure to navigate to http://'''www.'''nbsbio.co.uk NOT http://nbsbio.co.uk, or their payment system doesn't work. Weird. Standard shipping cost is £15
 
−
* Web scientific - Taq and ladder
 
−
* [http://www.neb.com New England Biolabs] They sell very cheap taq. We could also look at their restriction enzymes. However atm they won't sell to us as they only sell to universities or registered biolabs. See [https://lists.kentgeek.org/pipermail/lhs-biohacking/2012-August/000817.html this post] and [https://lists.kentgeek.org/pipermail/lhs-biohacking/2012-June/000591.html this] post. Once we have all our registrations for LBL sorted we could try again.
 
−
* [http://www.thermoscientificbio.com/restriction-and-modifying-enzymes/restriction-enzymes Thermoscientific] - Recommended for good value restriction enzymes. Not tried yet.
 
−
* [http://www.vwr.com VWR] - Big supplier of chemicals, glassware and various lab stuff. Sounds very positive about selling to the hackspace.
 
−
* [http://www.invitrogen.com/site/us/en/home.html Invitrogen] We failed their due diligence check. See post [https://lists.kentgeek.org/pipermail/lhs-biohacking/2011-September/000103.html here] and [https://lists.kentgeek.org/pipermail/lhs-biohacking/2011-September/000109.html here]. They have cheap TBE.
 
−
* [http://eu.idtdna.com/site?c=UK IDT] - possible source for primers. Haven't tried them yet.
 
−
* [http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/cheaplabstuff/ cheaplabstuff] (ebay) - Cheap 1.5ml and 15ml tubes in small quantities. Also pasteur pipettes.
 
−
* [http://stores.ebay.co.uk/microsupplies microsupplies] (ebay) - Cheap 5-200ul and 100-1000ul tips by the 1000
 
−
* [http://www.bioscience.co.uk/home Cambridge Bioscience] - Not yet used, may supply GelRed or GelGreen (enquiry by Bene)
 
  
−
Also see general hackspace [[suppliers]] page.
+
We <strike> are currently working towards being </strike> are a certified Containment Level 1 Lab ([[BioSafety|more details on biosafety classifications]]).
  
−
=== Wish list ===
+
The Lab is the registered office of our limited company, [[London Biological Laboratories]], used to deal with suppliers.
  
−
* Autoclave strips. These supposedly tell you if the autoclaving has been done at the required conditions, unlike autoclave tape which only tells you if the temperature has been reached.
+
=== How to use the Lab ===
−
* If extractions keep failing, lets look at some extraction kits. [http://www.promega.com/products/dna-and-rna-purification/genomic-dna-purification-kits/wizard-genomic-dna-purification-kit/ This one] recommended by Tom is &sim;£100 for 100 reactions or &sim;£250 for 500 extractions.
+
Please do not touch things in the lab if you do not know what they are or how to use them. Many items may be hazards to your health if used incorrectly.
−
* A more consistent and effective way of crushing/homogenising small amounts of tissue for DNA extraction. Blenders are good but not for small quantities. Pestles are ok, but not great. One idea is to make a small pestle by melting a pipette tip then using a PCR tube as a mortar. Some labs use liquid nitrogen or a sonicator.
 
−
* Spectrophotometer for measuring DNA concentration. Simon and Tom are on this.
 
−
* Good microscope enabling us to see cells (Possible mag: 100x, 400x, 1000x).
 
−
* Better imaging system
 
  
−
===Costs (assuming prices on [[Biohacking/Wetstuff|wet stuff]])===
+
Our [[BioLab Manual|lab manual]] details our equipment, reagents, strains and our established protocols.
  
−
'''Per Chelex DNA extraction:'''
+
=== Starting your own lab? ===
−
* Chelex: £0.33 (0.15g)
+
We have some notes on [[Starting your own biolab|starting your own biolab]] based on our experiences.
−
* Pasteur pipettes: £0.06 (1 disposable)
 
−
* Tubes: £0.04 (1 for chelex incubation, 1 to save supernatant)
 
−
* Tips: £0.06 (1 for mixing chelex, 1 removing supernatant)
 
−
Total per sample: £0.49
 
  
−
'''Per PCR reaction'''
+
=== Equipment we made ===
−
Assume 25ul total volume. 12.5ul Taq Readymix, 5ul primers
+
Our hope is to be able to use self-developed or open source hardware equipment where possible in order to carry out our projects. Here is what we have done so far:
−
* Taq Readymix: £0.72 (12.5ul)
 
−
* Primers: Not calculated but likely to be small
 
−
* Tubes: £0.02 (1 tube for PCR)
 
−
* Tips: £0.15 (Assuming 1 tip for template, 1 for PF, 1 for PR, 1 for dH20, 1 for Taq)
 
−
* Paraffin: Negligible
 
−
Total per sample: £0.89 + primers
 
  
−
'''Per restriction digest for blood typing:'''
+
* [[Project:Gel electrophoresis box]]
−
This estimate may be wrong. Need to calculate quantities definitively
+
* [[Biobot]]
−
* KPN1 and ALU1: £2.08
+
* [[Project:Shaker platform]]
−
Total per sample: £2.08 + another gel
 
  
−
'''Per sample on a gel:'''
+
A list of biohacking hardware projects is here [[Project:Biohardware]]
−
For each sample:
 
−
* Tubes: £0.02 (1 to mix loading buffer with PCR product)
 
−
* Tips: £0.03 (1 to add product to loading buffer and then load into well)
 
−
* Loading buffer: Negligible
 
−
Total per sample: £0.05
 
  
−
'''Per gel:'''
+
=== Equipment Pledges ===
−
Assume a 1% 50ml agarose gel with 100ml buffer and 2.2ul EtBr
 
−
* Agarose: £0.23
 
−
* TBE: £0.13
 
−
* Ladder: £0.30
 
−
* Tips: £0.03 (1 to add loading buffer to all tubes)
 
−
* dH20: Negligible
 
−
* EtBr: Negligible
 
−
Total per gel: £0.69
 
  
−
<span style="color:red">So for a chelex extraction, PCR and gel it costs at least '''£1.43 per sample'''. A gel costs '''£0.69''', so a typical session involving 4 extractions + PCRs, followed by a gel costs at least '''£6.14'''.</span>
+
[[Biohacking Wishlist]]
  
−
===Ideas for cost+efficiency savings===
+
* [[Pledge: Flow Hood]]
−
* Cheaper Taq would make the biggest contribution. Investigate NEB (won't sell to us at the moment), web scientific and nbs.
+
* [[Pledge:Lab Microscope]]
−
* Smaller gels and gel box could halve amount of TBE and agarose used.
+
* [[Pledge:vacum forming machine]]
−
* Reduce concentration of agarose and TBE in gel and buffer. E.g. we could use 0.5% TBE not 1%.
+
* [[Pledge:Gluconacetobacter_hansenii]]
−
* Use TAE instead of TBE (TAE is 1/2 to 1/3 the price of TBE). However it is claimed TBE is better for small DNA lengths like ours
 
−
* Buy powdered TBE. NBSBio - £33.60 for 1 litre of 10x (50p per gel+buffer), and £76.80 for 5L (23p per gel+buffer). Dry premix powders are even better value than this. £18 for 1L (27p per gel+buffer), and £28 for 4L (13p per gel+buffer).
 
−
* Make our own TBE. Recipe [http://www.bioprotocols.info/reagent_and_buffer_recipes/10X-TBE.php here]. Advantage that we could also make TE.
 
−
* Invitrogen do http://products.invitrogen.com/ivgn/product/15581044# cheaper TBE] but won't sell to us atm
 
−
* Cheaper sources for tubes and tips e.g. ebay
 
−
* Heated lid making paraffin unnecessary. Save on paraffin + extra tubes for mixing loading buffer with PCR product as loading buffer could be added directly to it if there are no further plans for it. Mostly efficiency saving rather than cost.
 
−
* Same result could be achieved by using a taq readymix with loading buffer included (e.g. sold by webscientific)
 
−
* Larger quantities of agarose. Our agarose from NBSBio works out at £0.23 per gel for 100g, but if we bought 500g it would be £0.18 per gel. Not a massive saving though.
 
  
 
== Resources ==
 
== Resources ==
Line 179: Line 118:
 
=== Community ===
 
=== Community ===
 
*[http://diybio.org/blog Interesting DIYBio community blog] - Interesting blog taking articles from a few different groups
 
*[http://diybio.org/blog Interesting DIYBio community blog] - Interesting blog taking articles from a few different groups
−
*[http://biocurious.org/index.php?title=Main_Page Bio Curious] - A well-established bihacking group in California
+
*[http://biocurious.org/index.php?title=Main_Page Bio Curious] - A well-established biohacking group in California
 
*[http://www.tmplab.org/wiki/index.php/Brain_Computer_Interface Brain-Computer interface at Paris hackspace]
 
*[http://www.tmplab.org/wiki/index.php/Brain_Computer_Interface Brain-Computer interface at Paris hackspace]
 
*[http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n12/full/nbt1209-1077.html Nature.com article about biohacking community] - Not the same one as above. Interesting, but behind a paywall :(.
 
*[http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n12/full/nbt1209-1077.html Nature.com article about biohacking community] - Not the same one as above. Interesting, but behind a paywall :(.
 
** you can access it here: [http://www.synbioproject.org/process/assets/files/6452/_draft/nbt-2009-12d_-_biotech_nin_the_basement.pdf http://www.synbioproject.org/process/assets/files/6452/_draft/nbt-2009-12d_-_biotech_nin_the_basement.pdf] -- [http://heybryan.org/ kanzure] [[Special:Contributions/70.114.205.110|70.114.205.110]] 19:40, 2 January 2011 (UTC)
 
** you can access it here: [http://www.synbioproject.org/process/assets/files/6452/_draft/nbt-2009-12d_-_biotech_nin_the_basement.pdf http://www.synbioproject.org/process/assets/files/6452/_draft/nbt-2009-12d_-_biotech_nin_the_basement.pdf] -- [http://heybryan.org/ kanzure] [[Special:Contributions/70.114.205.110|70.114.205.110]] 19:40, 2 January 2011 (UTC)
−
 
−
=== PCR primer design ===
 
−
* http://www.cybertory.org/exercises/primerDesign/index.html
 
−
* http://www.premierbiosoft.com/tech_notes/PCR_Primer_Design.html
 
−
* http://www.premierbiosoft.com/primerdesign/index.htm
 
−
* http://molbiol-tools.ca/PCR.htm
 
−
* http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/tools/primer-blast/index.cgi?LINK_LOC=BlastHome
 
−
* http://www.bioinformatics.nl/cgi-bin/primer3plus/primer3plus.cgi
 
−
* http://bibiserv.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/genefisher2/
 
  
 
== Proposed code of conduct ==
 
== Proposed code of conduct ==
 
See here: http://wiki.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Biohacking/Code_of_Conduct
 
See here: http://wiki.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Biohacking/Code_of_Conduct
−
 
−
== FAQ about DIYBio ==
 
−
* [http://openwetware.org/wiki/DIYbio/FAQ official do-it-yourself biology FAQ]
 
  
 
[[Category:Biohacking]]
 
[[Category:Biohacking]]
 
[[Category:Groups]]
 
[[Category:Groups]]

Latest revision as of 06:16, 1 May 2019

Biohacking
Biohack logo.png
When Every Wednesday, from 19:30
Members

We are the biohacking or DIY biology (Official FAQ about DIY-Biology) group at the London Hackspace, a mix of amateur and professional biologists, attracted by the potential of molecular and synthetic biology. Anyone is welcome, so get involved!

Over the past couple of years we've been developing our equipment, optimising techniques and running some research projects. Here's quite a good short local news video showing our (previous, smaller) lab and some of what we do in it.

We will soon be meeting every month, check back here for our 2019 restart. We have a list of frequently-asked questions.

List of biohacker wiki pages.

We also maintain an outward facing website at BioHackspace.org

How to find us

  1. Email us here. You can also sign up to our mailing list where we do most of our communication here (if you see a warning ignore it) (Your posts will be moderated unless you're signed up to the list. If you want to be signed up to the list but not receive messages you can change this in the options). You can view the mailing list archives through the previous link or through the google groups interface. To chat in more detail request a signup to our slack channel using the email address above, or join our irc channel at #london-biohackers on freenode

Biohackspace Membership

We're a subgroup of the London Hackspace, and our rent and utility bills are paid as part of the larger space. Therefore it's London Biohackers also need to be members of the hackspace. You can find out how to become a hackspace member here.

There is a separate subscription for the biohacking group. Biohacking is more expensive than the typical hackspace activity, and with your membership we can pay for reagents, lab consumables and any equipment we may need for our experiments. The suggested minimum donation is £2 a week, but again, you can come along without joining. If you start to come regularly and use consumables then we'd like you to pay. Details on how to setup payment to become a biohackspace member are here: Details of Membership.

We also have an arrangement for people who just want to support the biohackspace work and lab costs, and do not intend to regularly attend the biolab to do science. If you want to become a remote member, or to donate equipment and make a regular contribution, and you can make contact here by email, or see the Donations/Remote members page for more details.

However it's not essential to become a member just to come along initially and find out what we do.

Organization

The biohackspace operates as a Company Limited by guarantee. The legal details of this are here

Projects

We are currently well equipped to carry out molecular biology experiments. The lab space on Hackney Road was a CL1 approved lab and we are aiming to reestablish that in Wembley.

Current Projects

  • Hacking the lab
  • * Recommissioning RO water system
  • * Recommissioning Laminar Flow system
  • * Building Laminar Flow System into a hood
  • Culturing Local Algae
  • Lab Automation
  • Stirling Engine for Cryogenics

Completed Projects

Future Projects

Add your own!

Our lab

Our lab is small in size but we have tried to make good use of the tight space to incorporate all the equipment we need to carry out interesting projects. You can see a floor plan of the lab here.

We are currently working towards being are a certified Containment Level 1 Lab (more details on biosafety classifications).

The Lab is the registered office of our limited company, London Biological Laboratories, used to deal with suppliers.

How to use the Lab

Please do not touch things in the lab if you do not know what they are or how to use them. Many items may be hazards to your health if used incorrectly.

Our lab manual details our equipment, reagents, strains and our established protocols.

Starting your own lab?

We have some notes on starting your own biolab based on our experiences.

Equipment we made

Our hope is to be able to use self-developed or open source hardware equipment where possible in order to carry out our projects. Here is what we have done so far:

A list of biohacking hardware projects is here Project:Biohardware

Equipment Pledges

Biohacking Wishlist

Resources

Education

A primer for synthetic biology

Community

Proposed code of conduct

See here: http://wiki.hackspace.org.uk/wiki/Biohacking/Code_of_Conduct

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