Microbial Revolt: Redefining biolab tools and practices for more-than-human care ecologies

Title of the Paper

Microbial Revolt: Redefining biolab tools and practices for more-than-human care ecologies

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Multispecies Design, Innovation in Biolab Tools
• Keywords: More-Than-Human, Ethics of Care, Bio-HCI, Biodesign, Microbe-HCI, Posthumanism, Care Ecologies

Research Background and Issues

• What problems or challenges did the authors identify?

  • Current biology research and design practices are predominantly human-centered, neglecting the species-specific characteristics and potential "resistance" behaviors of participating microbes and other species.
  • Existing laboratory environments and standard protocols limit designers' and researchers' engagement with broader ecological contexts and creative freedom.
  • Laboratory operations focused on safety and productivity may hinder ethical interactions and ecological relationships between multiple species.

• Why is this issue important?

  • Redefining laboratory tools and practices to accommodate a "more-than-human" ecological perspective can promote more ethical and inclusive interaction models in design and biolab fields.
  • Challenging the anthropocentric nature of existing tools and protocols could open up possibilities for co-creation with biological entities.

• Research Motivation and Related Work

  • Drawing on discussions in the design field about "designing for coexistence" and "multispecies participation," combined with multispecies design in HCI and bio-art practices, the authors advocate for a multispecies ecological perspective.
  • Based on the ethics of care theory and multispecies worlding (e.g., the works of Tronto and Puig de la Bellacasa), the study emphasizes the importance of interdependence and daily practice interactions among multiple species.

Solutions

• What methods or solutions did the authors propose?

  • The authors introduced a workshop method called "Microbial Revolt," aimed at inspiring designers and biologists to reflect on microbial labor and "non-participation" behaviors in biolabs.
  • Participants were encouraged to transform traditional lab tools into tools that support "microbial resistance," reflecting more equitable power relations among species through design.

• What is innovative about this solution?

  • By combining role-playing, critical making, and the creative design approach of "Chindōgu" (Japanese-style useless inventions), the method encourages redefining lab tools from a multispecies perspective.
  • It highlights the "non-participation" of biological entities in labs as a valid expression of agency, challenging the productivity-driven culture of laboratories.

• What are the implementation steps? What key techniques were used?

  1. Role-playing and Comparative Documentation: Participants documented the conditions of biological entities in "wild environments" versus "laboratory environments," comparing the differences.
  2. Chindōgu Design Exercise: Participants redesigned lab tools to make them "useless" for experiments but enable biological entities to express resistance behaviors, such as death, escape, or ecological contamination.
  3. Open Discussion: Participants shared design ideas and discussed how to support the needs and participation of biological entities.

Research Outcomes

• What specific outcomes were achieved?

  • The workshop collected responses from 28 participants and 24 redesigned lab tool samples, revealing key differences in the thought processes of designers and biologists.
  • Interview data expanded discussions on the tensions between innovative design and existing safety regulations in biolab practices within the fields of biodesign and HCI.

• What advantages does it have compared to existing solutions?

  • The study proposed a methodology that directly focuses on multispecies labor and resistance behaviors.
  • It enhanced interdisciplinary understanding between designers and biological researchers, providing new perspectives and tools for ethical multispecies practices.

• What were the experimental or evaluation results?

  • Designer Performance: Designers were more inclined to challenge the original purpose of equipment, focusing on ecological relationships and unmet needs of biological entities.
  • Biologist Performance: Biologists tended to prioritize achieving research goals, viewing lab tools as means to support experiments, but also recognized the mechanistic impact of tools and processes on biological entities.
  • Tensions in Lab Spaces and Tools: Designers felt that conventional lab environments restricted creative freedom, while DIY and studio environments better supported diverse and naturalized interactions.

• Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limitations: Participants from different backgrounds may have heterogeneous understandings and practices regarding the concept of "microbial resistance"; the reconstruction of lab tools remains constrained by safety and regulatory frameworks.
  • Future Directions:
    • Establish new frameworks for risk management and safety guidelines tailored to design and HCI.
    • Develop "boundary spaces" to connect the functions of design studios and traditional labs.
    • Advocate for more inclusive tools and spaces that support a wider variety of species and complex relationships within ecosystems.

Practical Implications and Future Design Directions

The methods and findings of this study provide important insights for reconciling laboratory and design-driven "more-than-human" practices, proposing the following five specific recommendations for the fields of design and HCI:

1. Redefine Sterilization Methods: For example, flexible UV-C sterilization devices or naturally selective media to facilitate work with complex cultures.
2. Document Design Practices: Develop more detailed documentation strategies to support regulatory bodies in promoting design freedom.
3. Develop Risk Management Frameworks: Create biosafety and ecological interaction guidelines suitable for design scenarios.
4. Design "Transitional Spaces": Develop flexible spaces that connect labs and design studios to experiment with different tools and methods.
5. Emphasize the Value of Resistance in Design: Expand the boundaries of HCI and multispecies design research through the concept of "resistance," opening up new design opportunities.

This study provides a methodological foundation for fostering equitable participation in human and non-human ecosystems and inspires future directions for multispecies design through the theories of protest and non-participation.