Biomaker Challenge: What lab, field or clinical challenge could you solve?

Biomaker Challenge is a four-month programme challenging interdisciplinary teams to build low-cost sensors and instruments for biology. From colorimeters to microfluidics and beyond, we’re looking for frugal, open source and DIY approaches to biological experiments.

Whether you’re a biologist looking to optimise your protocols and pick up some electronics knowledge; an engineer looking to apply your skills and gain experience of practical biology or you’re just curious and interested to participate, we look forward to meeting you!

Participants will receive a Biomaker Toolkit and a discretionary budget for additional sensors, components, consumables and 3D-printing worth up to £1000. All teams will exhibit their device at a Biomaker Fayre in late October. Up to 50 grants will be awarded.

This pre-challenge mixer will be a great opportunity to learn more about the challenge, hear from previous participants, meet other potential participants and share ideas before the application closes on 11 May. Everyone is welcome, whatever your discipline and level of experience. This challenge is not just about building instrumentation, but also about learning and exchanging skills.

Programme
Talks in Room 0.17, Congregation Hall, UEA (18:30 - 19:30)

• Colette Matthewman, John Innes Centre: Introducing the Biomaker Challenge
• Quentin Dudley, Earlham Institute: What is cell-free biology?
• Oscar Gonzalez, Quadram Insititute: The ultrasonic plant height system
• Adi Kliot, John Innes Centre: Bioacoustic monitoring of insects

Mixer and social in the Scholars Cafe Bar, Union House, UEA (19:30 onwards)

• Networking and socialising
• Opportunity to pitch ideas and hear about other peoples' ideas
• Prize draw

Everyone is welcome, whatever your discipline and level of experience. This challenge is not just about building instrumentation, but also about learning and exchanging skills.

You could also walk home with one of two Arduino starter kits (ARDX Arduino Learning Kit for Beginners or the Grove Starter Kit for Arduino). Everyone who attends this event will be entered into a prize draw for one of these kits.

More information about the Biomaker Challenge can be found on www.biomaker.org