Biomaterials by Jen Keane, This is Grown

This Is GMO

Biodesigner Jen Keane and synthetic biologist Marcus Walker's project This Is GMO has resulted in the development of a self-dyeing bacterium that produces cellulose and melanin and can be utilised in Keane's microbial weaving process, used to create the first ever 'cultivated' sneaker upper: weaved and dyed from a single genetically modified organism, it's 100 per cent compostable and entirely free from synthetic materials and dyes © Ed Tritton

This Is Grown

Biodesigner Jen Keane's This Is Grown project resulting in the microbial weaving of a material obtained from manipulating the growth of k. rhaeticus, commonly found in kombucha tea, which is used to create sneakers © Jen Keane

This Is Grown

Detail of the sneaker created by biodesigner Jen Keane using a biomaterial she developed as part of her project This Is Grown © Vita Larvo

Jen Keane

Biodesigner Jen Keane has manipulated the growth of k. rhaeticus, a bacterium found in kombucha tea, to develop a new form of 'microbial weaving' to create a strong, light, customisable and entirely compostable material, stronger than steel and more resistant than kevlar © Adam Toth