iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

We're all set up for tomorrow is Glenwood Avenues Art Festival. You should come visit us! We are Booth 76!

chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Big thanks to our hosts at @mhub for letting us use their space for the Fermenter! It was great to see so many people during a busy season. Join us next month on September 2nd for the next fermenter!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

This picture is motivational more than anything else. We were given so many wonderful pieces of equipment and tools this week, and we have to get our act in order to get these all cataloged, sorted, and ready to use. This is motivational. Check back on Thursday. You're going to see a beautiful lab.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Check it out! We got a shaking incubator! We are so excited about this. More details to come!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

There's a company that's going to be starting up in our lab very soon that is working on exciting varieties of house plants, learning how to culture them, and potentially learning how to engineer them. This is one of their first items they're going to sell, and we have to admit it looks beautiful.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Second day of our workshop on natural dyes with teenagers at the North Park Village Nature Center. So grateful for the opportunity to work with our community directly.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Today when pHing some media, we got to have an excuse to use one of our Fleakers. We have some pretty unique glassware here. Has anyone sees these before?

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

When we were first setting up the lab, our president had a lot of doubts about our little autoclave, but this guy has been a real workhorse. We'll update you a little bit tomorrow on some of the mushroom work that we've been doing since our workshop this last weekend, but shout out to our autoclave.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

So excited to show off all the plates that were the results of these concoctions as we head into the woods today! Join us for our mushroom event with the Chicago mushroom Club!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Is ChiTownBio trading in our lab coats for a kitchen apron? No! But did you know a lot of the materials in your kitchen can be used as media for growing mushrooms? We're making a bunch of media for our event tomorrow with the Chicago mushroom Club! Check out our Meetup page for more info.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Until we can get a bigger shaking incubator, we're going to see how this works for growing up some bacterial cultures. We'll let you know how the experiment goes tomorrow!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

These are two shiitake plates we started growing on June 5th. It's been 14 days, & they both show substantial growth. However, they have very different morphologies. Anyone have a hypothesis of why these look so different? We think it might have something to do with breadcrumb content in each plate.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Looks like our slime mold needs subculturing. We'll have more opportunities to work with The very clever and strangely intelligent slime mold Physarum polycephalim very shortly.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Some of the mushroom cultures we started a week ago have started to spread over our plates! We're growing oyster and shitake to show fungal culture on agar plate. We're going to see if we can get native species to culture well in the lab, and you should join us for that adventure. shorturl.at/54jkd

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Reposted by @chitownbio.bsky.social

a grassland chase 🌾🌾🌾🌾 @chasesolidago.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Chicagoland friends! Support the people who support us! I donated to @nlgchicago.bsky.social today, have you? nlgchicago.org/donate

nlgchicago.org

Support the NLG!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Happy 10 anniversary to the Biodesign Challenge. Bringing artists and designers into the important conversation about the future of biotechnology is an amazing feat. Let's keep going until everyone can actively participate in critical engagement with our field.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

We're organizing another beach cleanup with Chientist and TechWalk Chicago as another networking event for Chicago's biotech scene. Keep your eyes on our account for more information on the event in the coming weeks (And keep the evening of August 13th open!)

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

It's day 1 of BDC year 10! Biotech needs new ideas, and looking to the design community and asking them how they would use biology to create new technologies is fascinating.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

ChiTownBio's president is in NYC for the Biodesign Challenge Symposium. We keep getting shout outs, but we're most excited about cool tools for our community. Martin just spoke about this FREE to submit journal talking about combining biology, design, and pedagogy.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

So just trying spirulina on glassware is not going to be sufficient. So much of it sticks to the glass grind. It's really hard to scrape off. We're going to try putting it on a piece of parafilm. Fingers crossed.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

It looks like we're getting a sclerotia forming! Now that we have the protocol worked out, we can start making a bunch of material that people can take home and grow themselves. This is exciting!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

We recultured this oyster mushroom plate, but we wanted to figure out who the interlopers were. We think it's penicillium? Anyone know?

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Reposted by @chitownbio.bsky.social

John Morales @johnmoralestv.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

What a great Fermenter last night! Thanks to our host at @happilabs.org ! Did you miss out on the networking and comradery from the biotech community? You should come next month! www.meetup.com/chitownbio/e...

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

40 lb of trash. What a great day for a beach cleanup! And what a great day for citizen science! Thanks everyone who came out.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

In preparation for our event on June 28th with the Chicago mushroom Club, we're starting some cultures of common woodrot mushrooms from the store. Let's see if we can get some oysters and shiitakes growing on some breadcrumb media!

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Reposted by @chitownbio.bsky.social

Brian Nosek @briannosek.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

An open letter highlighting the co-optation of open science language in the latest Executive Order to justify policies that are, in fact, antithetical to open science principles. Read and consider signing with your support. www.standupforscience.net/open-letter-...

standupforscience.net

Open Letter in Support of Science — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

We may have been neglecting our slime molds. And they have decided to try to escape! I guess today we are going to spend some time taking care of them.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Trying a new way to harvest our spirulina. Fingers crossed!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

The great people over at iBIO had an event yesterday where they gave away excess equipment to schools, non-profits, and startups in the area. We took our share, and we're so grateful!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

We always bring too many of these stickers to the beach and then they get covered in sand. But we were so happy about the beach cleanup turn out today! A small but mighty crew picked up 32 lb of trash. Thanks everyone who attended!

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

We have a beach cleanup tomorrow! From discovering biomaterials in shellfish shells to discussing plastic pollution and the need for bio-based solution, we're just excited to be out helping our community. You should come! www.meetup.com/chitownbio/e...

meetup.com

May Beach Cleanup!! , Sun, May 18, 2025, 10:00 AM | Meetup

ChiTownBio is dedicated to putting the knowledge, skills, and tools of biotechnology into the hands of all Chicagoans who want to explore the living world and use it to ben

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

And now we get to have some fun. It's a good sign when your day starts with the search query, "How do you harvest spirulina?"

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Look at all the wonderful donations that we got from our friends @happilabs! So grateful for all of this equipment that hopefully will quickly get into the hands of citizen scientists and startup entrepreneurs.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out to the fermenter last night. Please check out our Meetup for more upcoming events! www.meetup.com/chitownbio/

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Happy to be where the research is. We are always excited to read about news in biotech, and we also aren't huge fans of fascism. So hello to our community!!! www.timeshighereducation.com/news/xs-domi...

timeshighereducation.com

X’s dominance ‘over’ as Bluesky becomes new hub for research

Data indicates more scholars turning to alternative social media site to post about their work after Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Thanks for everyone who came out to our event on Citizen Science last night. If you want to get involved, you might be interested in our beach cleanup this Sunday! www.meetup.com/chitownbio/e...

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Reposted by @chitownbio.bsky.social

Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

🙏 We need your help 🙏 The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like. We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants: NIH: forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP... NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni... w/ @noamross.net

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

What does volunteering at ChiTownBio look like? Turns out, we don't have that figured out yet, either. But we want to have that conversation, and we'd love for you to be part of it. Join us Thursday for what will hopefully be a meaningful discussion! shorturl.at/Vlmla

shorturl.at

Volunteer Discussion and Meeting, Thu, Apr 17, 2025, 7:00 PM | Meetup

At ChiTownBio, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible space where people from all backgrounds can learn, experiment, and collaborate in the life sciences

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Reposted by @chitownbio.bsky.social

Susan Brigid @heysusanbrigid.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Got to totally geek out at the intersection of photography and science while exploring @leicamicrosystems.bsky.social microscopes at our neighborhood's nonprofit shared biology lab @chitownbio.bsky.social Check out the feather's hooks (barbicels) & the gorgeous way the detail looks like weavings.

White duck with brown & blue markings. She's a Welsh Harlequin.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Thank you so much to @leicamicrosystems.bsky.social for cohosting an event with us at the lab today. Check out this silk, anther, and pineapple fibers that we were able to see with the Ivesta 3! If you missed today, come out and check out the microscopes on Saturday! shorturl.at/P9bVE

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Cool events coming up! We want to thank everyone who came out on Tuesday to our Fermenter, and we have the next Fermenter up, and we have events today and Saturday with Leica!! Please check out our Meetup for more details!! shorturl.at/Tb8s2

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

We have many cool events coming up (Please explore our meetup page), but we're really excited to be pairing up with @leicamicrosystems.bsky.social for an open house where everyone can come look at just about anything using cool microscopes (with some supervision)! Check it out! tinyurl.com/znys3fwk

tinyurl.com

Microscope Open House with Leica Microsystems (!), Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 12:00 PM | Meetup

Mark your calendar for a ChiTownBio open house featuring a cutting edge microscope from Leica Microsystems, the [Mateo FL](https://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/light

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

We have our laminar flow cabinet up and running! We're getting so much done today. You should check out the progress on the lab. We are open Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12:00 to 7:00 and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 5:00.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

A lot of the flowers from our grand opening have started to dry out. We're wondering if we can use them to make natural dyes. Anyone have any good tips?

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Thanks everyone who came to our Fermenter yesterday!! We'll have our next one in April (April 8 at mHUB!), so if you missed it, please come; we hope our next one is the one we hit triple digits! We love our community, and we are building the biotech community Chicago deserves.

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chitownbio.bsky.social @chitownbio.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Our spring stickers are up! They're completely biodegradable and made out of algae. Come by and check them out!

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