GOLD

RNA sequencing and biomanufacturing

GOLD is a design research project inspired by the properties of Goaldbeater skin, the outermost tissue layer of the cow gut. This extremely thin, elastic, tear-resistant membrane was historically used as a separating layer when beating leaf gold. We investigated its outstanding properties, determined the tissue structurally and biochemically, and sequenced its RNA. Our goal is to synthetically replicate its material properties to develop a biopolymer to produce high-performance textiles. The substrate is cultivated in bioreactors and is therefore 100% vegan and biodegradable.