Researchers at MIT have found a way to grow bacteria to function as signal-senders that might allow plants to "sense and respond to environmental conditions such as drought or attack by pests". More about MIT researchers engineer bacteria that could program plants for self-defence
Researchers in China have created a textile from living mycelium that is self-cleaning, near self-repairing and can be coloured or made UV protective through "plug-and-play" add-ons of different fungi or yeast. More about Dress made of living mycelium can renew and repair itself
Designer Audrey Levy has reimagined a common household appliance with her project How to Grow a Refrigerator, applying sustainable insulating and cooling technologies that take advantage of the power of bacteria and the sun. More about Student grows fuzzy fridge from bacteria to challenge norms around cooling
Dezeen Showroom: Dutch sustainability platform Front and biotechnology company Biomason have launched a low-carbon, concrete-like floor tile strengthened by bacteria. More about Mimmik Tile by Front and Biomason
Alien-like structures that sequester carbon emerge from shallow pools at the Canada Pavilion at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale. More about Canada "prints living structures" at Venice Architecture Biennale
EcoLogicStudio has opened a new studio and design lab in Turin, Italy, modelled on the typology of a house, as the studio seeks to explore how its experimental biodesign work can integrate with day-to-day domesticity. More about EcoLogicStudio opens Design Apothecary as "experiment in living in the fourth industrial revolution"
Work has begun on the GEM Factory of the Future building in Maine designed by architecture studio Grimshaw and SMRT to integrate technological and robotic advancements with fabrication. More about Grimshaw breaks ground on research building in Maine designed to "revolutionize manufacturing"
Metals "mined" by plants feature in a first-of-its-kind ring, made by materials researcher and designer Karoline Healy under her jewellery brand H2ERǴ. More about H2ERǴ ring made with metals "mined" by plants
Belgian design firm Studio Part has developed a demountable metal mould that encourages young willow trees to grow into a self-supporting bench. More about Reusable formwork by Studio Part moulds trees into living bench
Garments made with the skin pigment melanin provide a natural, alternative form of sun protection in this speculative biofabrication project by recent Central Saint Martins graduate Maca Barrera. More about Melanin-spiked bodysuits provide sun protection in Melwear concept
Insects are an unlikely "collaborator" in British designer William Eliot's Digested Objects stool, which was shaped by plastic-eating mealworms as they gnawed their way through blocks of polystyrene. More about Plastic-eating mealworms "collaborate" in stool design by William Eliot
The process of using bacteria to colour textiles has been brought to a commercial scale by British company Colorifix, which hopes to cut the fashion industry's use of toxic chemical dyes. More about Colorifix harnesses bacteria for non-toxic clothes dyeing
A new design trend prioritises the needs of bugs and animals above human beings. Rima Sabina Aouf finds out if "interspecies design" is the next step in creating more sustainable spaces and objects. More about Animal-centric interspecies design goes "beyond sustainability"
After years of exploring the merging of biotechnology with design, Natsai Audrey Chieza and Christina Agapakis have started what they describe as the "first biodesign lifestyle brand", which launched at London Design Festival. More about Normal Phenomena of Life brand launches to sell biodesigned products
Biotechnology company Modern Synthesis has developed a biomaterial from bacterial fermentation that can be used to create a low-carbon alternative to traditional clothing fabrics. More about Modern Synthesis uses bacteria to create biomaterial fabric
On day 12 of the Dezeen 15 digital festival, designer Natsai Audrey Chieza of Faber Futures sets out five principles for the emerging field of biodesign. More about Biotechnology "offers us an exciting new toolbox to build the future" says Natsai Audrey Chieza
New York streetwear label Public School has collaborated with material scientist Theanne Schiros to create a pair of biofabricated trainers using a leather alternative grown by microbes. More about Public School creates "backyard compostable" sneaker from kombucha waste
Plastics will be replaced within ten years by biofabricated materials that eliminate waste and pollution, according to Parley for the Oceans founder Cyrill Gutsch. More about The circular economy "will never work with the materials we have" says Cyrill Gutsch of Parley for the Oceans
Good design is about interrogating systems not just creating beautiful chairs, biofabrication designer Natsai Audrey Chieza argued at Dezeen Day. More about "Designers are starting to understand they don't design in a vacuum" says Natsai Audrey Chieza
Canadian-Iranian designer Roya Aghighi has created clothes made from algae that turn carbon dioxide into oxygen via photosynthesis, as a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. More about Biogarmentry clothes can photosynthesise like plants