TEN TO THE POWER; a journey into biomedical landscape

Prof. Peschanski explaining IPS to me - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - stem cells which are made from adult cells.

Bio-phantoms used by Doctor Olive Murphy at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering

The bionic bag pack bionic pancreas

Ten to the power; a journey into biomedical landscapes

A proposal for the Wellcome Trust

Find here the first research for the proposal.

At IBE, London, in one of the laboratory

Can we stretch the shape of biology?
Should imagination be a key element in the development of biomedical science?
While biotechnologies are creating the medicines of tomorrow, from vaccines to bionic pancreas, a complete new landscape is in front of us. This future medical environment has the potential to engage our imagination and inspire dreams.
Ten to the power is a journey from the single cell scale to the boundaries of scientific imagination, from stem cells to an over scaled bionic pancreas.
Under-explored spaces in biomedical science will stimulate the content of this project.

Follow some of the pictures and videos-interviews with Dr Olive Murphy and Dr Nick Oliver at IBE (Institute of Biomedical Engineering) in London and with Prof. Marc Peschanski in Paris at IStem(Head of the Institute for Stem cell Therapy and exploration of Monogenic Diseases)

A VISIT TO IBE- ( Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London)
IBE from outside, it was snowing...

IBE laboratories are hidden behind those colorful doors...

Dr.Olive Murphy, research fellow, developing an implantable blood pressure monitor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, London, in this interview she is explaining what are the bio-phantoms.

The mystery of the Islet...Where does the beta cells come from?

Dr. Olive Murphy, explaining how to make bio-phantoms

This is where Dr. Olive Murphy tests the implantable blood pressure implant. This room absorbs energy, so if two devices are communicating, nothing can interfere with the signals.

Dr. Olive Murphy’s electronics laboratory

Dr Olive Murphy showing me the ‘bio-phantom’ she uses for her research. They are “function
models”, having one of many properties of a tissue, an organ or a system. For scientists they are
tools; another way of experimenting before trying in-vivo.

A bio-phantom heart done by Dr Olive Murphy

Dr Nick Oliver, clinical investigator working on a bionic pancreas at the IBE, London ( Institute of Biomedical Engineering)

Dr Nick Oliver explaining me about bio-phantoms and pancreas

Dr Nick Oliver: Bionic Pancreas in Zero G??

Nick Oliver explaining about the islet cells inside the pancreas. One of the big mysteries in their work is what hap-
pens in the development of a stem cell to a pancreatic beta cell.

The bionic pancreas is made of three elements; a glucose sensor , a control device like a silicon chip , and an insulin pump.

The glucose sensor
The control device


The trace above shows the same signal from the bionic pancreas as that obtained from a real pancreas.

Here are pictures of the first bionic pancreas, they were worn as a back pack. These pictures were
given to me by Dr Nick Oliver. Bellow, Biostator, an other version of the bionic pancreas.


A VISIT TO I STEM- (Institute for Stem cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic diseases)-PARIS

A first visit to the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London and to IStem, Institute for Stem cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic diseases, with Prof.Marc Peschanski.

A picture of the corridor of IStem; on both sides, laboratories with different research teams.


Prof. Peschanski explaining IPS to me - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - stem cells which are made from adult cells.

IStem laboratory where stem cell screening takes place. At the time of my visit they were screening stem cells developing into neuronal cells.


Jeremie Chabord a PhD candidate showing me neural progenitor cells in the incubator.



View through the microscope; it’s possible to see axioms developing.

THE CRAFT FACTORY- Proposal

The craft factory and soft materials

The little prototype made of a meat grinder

In collaboration with Thomas Thwaites
Shorlisted by the Arts Council for the Museumaker competition.
Proposal done for the Guildhall Museum in Rochester


A visit of the hidden spaces of the Guildhall with Steve Nye, Co-curator

From stone axes through to the intricately carved models of the hulk prisoners, to the Seaton tool chest, tools are a main feature of the collection of the Guildhall Museum. Of course tools are changing - from subtractive chipping away and carving, to the ‘additive’ process of modern rapid prototyping 3D-printing machines.
The Seaton tool chest at the Guildhall museum
The work of the napoleon prisoners made of bones

We wanted something that will take shape and grow over the course of the installation. We also wanted something that every visitor to the museum can contribute to – a many hands make light work philosophy.

Our proposal is to construct a giant, mechanical, human powered 3D printer in the temporary exhibition room. The machine will consist of a framework almost as large as the room, supporting a 'print head', which through a series of cogs, gears and pulleys can be moved in 3-dimensions. The printer builds up 3d objects in layers, controlled by visitors to the museum.


first intent of extruding papier maché


Extruding papier Maché with meat grinder

Test with papier maché and meat grinder

A papier maché feet

The 3d-printer will use some form of binder and aggregate to make objects. We will experiment with different options – indeed the material used depends on the object to be printed. Options are an artificial sand stone, sawdust and glue, even sugar and chocolate.

The question is of course, what will the machine print? This question will be put to the people of Rochester, in a series of workshops, interventions in the town space, a 'guerrilla' advertising campaign.

This may result in one large object, designed ‘by committee’ with everyone’s influences included (perhaps a bizarre statue, perhaps a strange boat, or whatever). Alternatively we thought visitors may create their own objects themselves with the 3d printer, to be included in a mobile trolley display/shop that we will wheel around Rochester trying to sell the objects (at other times it will be displayed in the yard). They would also be displayed on an eBay type website, interrogating the value of craft and mechanisation.The auction, what could be the value of a 3D print in papier maché?