Research, Innovation, and Society Research UnitBIODESIGN

BIODESIGN

The BIOdesign Research Unit works in collaboration with the Laboratory of Design for Sustainability (LDS) (DIDA-Labs), the Microbiology Laboratory (DAGRI), the Physical Chemistry Laboratory (DICUS) and the Laboratory of Methods and Techniques for Innovation (DIEF).

The unit carries out interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, combining the soft and hard sciences within the field of Biodesign (Myers, 2012). Drawing inspiration from the natural world, it seeks to explore and investigate every aspect of its processes: the synthesis mechanisms of tissues and biological substances, their composition, microscopic structure and morphological and functional characteristics, ultimately assessing their potential performance. The aim of these studies is to develop new materials, products and processes that are highly sustainable and have a minimal environmental impact.

Another defining feature of the group is its interdisciplinary experimental research – from a theoretical, methodological and practical perspective – linked to the training programmes and existing collaborations amongst the researchers involved. In particular, the collaboration between the ‘hard’ sciences and design is regarded as a fundamental partnership for tackling future research challenges (Oxman et al., 2005) (Ito, 2016) (Langella, 2019a). Furthermore, the relationship between biology, chemistry, engineering and design gives rise to a variety of forms of collaboration (Myers, 2012), such as biomimetic design (Vincent et al., 2006), bio-inspired design, biomimicry (Benyus, 1997), biomedical design, synbiodesign – synthetic biology – and adaptive design – materials that adapt to specific conditions – Material Design, Growing Design, Hybrid Design (Langella, 2019), interspecies design (Roudavski, 2021), bio-integrated design (Cruz, Parker, 2022), biofabrication (Lucibello, Montalti, 2019), bioart (Myers, 2015).

In this sense, design and the hard sciences converge with the aim of exploring possible ways in which they relate and intersect, in order to address the complexity of the real world. 

The novel and highly interdisciplinary nature of this approach is innovative but, at the same time, does not yet allow for the definition of specific methodological and procedural guidelines. For this reason, the primary objective of this research group is to define a shared, cross-disciplinary methodology to bring together diverse scientific fields. For the time being, the research unit will refer to the ISO/TC 266 and ISO 18457:2016 standards.

Scientific and operational objectives

1. to promote experimental and innovative research into biodesign;
2. to develop wide-ranging projects through interdisciplinary partnerships spanning several countries, with a view to participating in European and international calls for proposals;
3. to contribute to the definition of a common metalanguage between the hard sciences and design;
4. to define a theoretical, methodological and instrumental framework for advanced research on biodesign, with particular reference to sustainability issues;
5. to focus on the research and development of innovative materials and processes that are not only sustainable and have a low environmental impact, but are also functionally superior to traditional materials and processes. This could include exploring biomaterials, biofabrication technologies and biomimetic design approaches;
6. These objectives will also aim to integrate interdisciplinary teaching into the relevant training programmes, thereby preparing the next generation of researchers and designers to work effectively at the intersection of multiple disciplines.

Recent research projects

1. (2024 – ongoing) AERIAL (Biofabrication strategies for the recycling of by-products from the stone industry), as part of the Tuscany Region’s PORFESR 2021–27 programme, the project aims to create a hybrid (mechanical and biotechnological) pilot plant capable of transforming marble sludge, through a process driven by photosynthetic microorganisms, into new bio-manufactured materials for green building and design.
2. (2025 – ongoing) IDRA (Infrastructures for the Depollution and Regeneration of Coastal Areas): the IDRA project is self-funded and involves the development of a new bio-receptive cementitious material for the marine environment, with a view to creating structures to be integrated into existing marine infrastructure that can support marine biodiversity and collect microplastics. To date, the research unit has developed laboratory samples and growth tests for marine microorganisms. A design concept was submitted to the international Biodesign Sprint, Ocean Futures competition, where it received a special mention for its artistic and cultural merit.
3. (2023–2026) BIOPIC, under Spoke 2, PE11 ‘Made in Italy: Circular and Sustainable’ of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Principal Investigators: Massimo Bonini (DICUS) and Marco Marseglia (DIDA). The project investigates bio-inspired solutions for the furniture, camper van and nautical sectors, with a particular focus on innovation in materials and products.
4. (2022–2025) INERTIAL, Innovative Materials From Traditional Resources (ERC sector: PE8_11, PE8_10 and LS9_1), funded by the University of Florence (CR Firenze and NEXT GENERATION EU). Principal Investigators: Marco Marseglia (DIDA) and Natascia Biondi (DAGRI). The project investigates potential new materials produced through microbial biomineralisation processes and stone waste, using microalgae or cyanobacteria, from by-products of the stone industry.  The project has been included in the ADI INDEX 2026 for selection for the Compasso d’Oro award organised by ADI.
5. (2017–2020) 3R4CAMPER: definition of circular economy processes and methods for the camper van sector with a focus on Reduction, Recycling and Reuse, under the 2014–2020 ERDF Operational Programme (POR), Tuscany Region, Call 2: Strategic Research and Development Projects for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). University of Florence, DIDA Department, scientific lead: Prof. Giuseppe Lotti.
6. The research project aimed to identify management, design and production solutions designed to reduce the volume of waste generated by the Tuscan motorhome supply chain – which accounts for 80 per cent of Italian motorhome production – and to reuse and recycle production offcuts and scrap, in line with the 3Rs of the circular economy. In particular, ‘Design for Reuse’ and ‘Bio-inspired Design’ approaches were adopted with a view to reducing weight and the amount of material used. The project has been included in the ADI INDEX 2024 as part of the selection process for the Compasso d’Oro award organised by ADI.

Recent publications

1. Marseglia, M., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., Cantini, F., Pontillo, G., & Lotti, G. (2026). Designing with nature: Interdisciplinary approaches for bioinspired and sustainable solutions in the living sectors. DIID – Disegno Industriale Industrial Design, DSI No. 3–2025, 240–259. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30682/diidmics25q
2. Marseglia, M., Cantini, F., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., Reali, L., Sampietro, G., Biondi, N., & Lotti, G. (2026). Biofabrication strategies for the recycling of Tuscan white marble by-products into innovative bio building materials. In What’s Around Design? Strategic and speculative biodesign for a sustainable future (Vol. 2, pp. 108–125). Springer. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-11584-3
3. Marseglia, M., Cantini, F., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., & Lotti, G. (2025). Transdisciplinary approach in biodesign: A case study of hybridization between design and scientific method in material design. Research Directions: Biotechnology Design, 4, e4, 1–13. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S2977905725100024
4. Licaj, A., Marseglia, M., Matteucci, E., Cantini, F., & Celli, T. (2025). BIOVIZ: Pluralità e interdisciplinarità per processi di visualizzazione eco-informati / Plurality and interdisciplinarity for eco-informed visualization processes. In Design plurale. Casi e modelli alternativi per l’innovazione / Plural design: Cases and alternative models for innovation (pp. 375–387). FedOAPress – Federico II University Press.
5. Cianfano, F., Celli, T., Marseglia, M., & Rognoli, V. (2025). Slow prototyping in biodesign: Designing with the living in hybrid laboratories. In N. Nimkulrat, S. D. Ferraris, & F. Mattioli (Eds.), Prototyping and experiential knowledge: Unfolding shifting views on the use of prototypes in design research (Design International series). FrancoAngeli. Accesso ONLINE all'editore
6. Marseglia, M., Cantini, F., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., & Lotti, G. (2025). Design-driven science-informed (Sci-In) transdisciplinarity: Measuring transdisciplinarity in the field of biodesign. In Design plurale. Casi e modelli alternativi per l’innovazione / Plural design: Cases and alternative models for innovation (pp. 461–475). FedOAPress – Federico II University Press. Accesso ONLINE all'editore
7. Marseglia, M., Cantini, F. (2025). THE BIOLOGICAL TURN. New frontiers of transdisciplinarity applied to materials design.. In: Alessio Caccamo, Luca D’Elia, Carmen Rotondi. DESIGN RESEARCH STREAMS. An inquiry across emerging theories and practices., pp. 186-199, European Union: Rubbettino Editore, ISBN:978-88-498-8691-7.
8. Marseglia, M., Biondi, N., Cantini, F., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., Reali, L., & Sampietro, G. (2025). Design di nuovi materiali realizzati attraverso processi di biofabbricazione indotta da microorganismi fotosintetici. In Design e ricerca: Fonti e risorse (pp. 305–314). Italian Design Society. Accesso ONLINE all'editore
9. Licaj, A., Marseglia, M., Lotti, G., Matteucci, E., Cantini, F., & Celli, T. (2024). Eco-data informed processes: Nature as a co-designer to face environmental change. In Cumulus conference: Design across borders – United in creativity (pp. 1386–1411). Cumulus – The Global Association of Art and Design Education and Research.
10. Reali, L., Sampietro, G., Tredici, F., Diani, M., Celli, T., Cantini, F., Marseglia, M., Biondi, N. (2024). Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in cyanobacteria as a tool to produce biomaterials from marble extraction leftovers. In: YAS Young Algaeneers Symposium, Vannes, 27-30/05/2024, EABA, pp. 80-81.
11. Reali, L., Sampietro, G., Diani, M., Celli, T., Cantini, F., Marseglia, M., & Biondi, N. (2024). Exploitation of microalgae biomineralization to produce biomaterials from marble extraction leftovers. In ISAP 2024 (p. 30). ISAP.
12. Marseglia, M., Cantini, F., Celli, T., Brunelli, E., & Lotti, G. (2024). Material beyond materials: An interdisciplinary workshop for biodesigning. In How do we grow a biodesigner? (pp. 1–2). Cambridge University Press. DOI  
13. Lotti G., Marseglia M., Pistoresi G., Matteucci E., D'Ascenzi E. (2023). REVERSE. Design verso un nuovo paradigma, European Union: Lettera ventidue, pp. 1-188, 9788862429115.
14. Lotti G., Marseglia M., Vacca M., Sottani M. (2022), Design Futuring. Beyond the emergency scenario, Altralinea Edizioni, Firenze
15. Reali L., Sampietro G., Cantini F., Marseglia M., Biondi N. (2022), Biomineralization by microalgae as a tool to valorize stone extraction leftovers. In: AlgaEurope 2022, Roma, 13-15/12/2022, DLG Benelux /EABA, pp. 384-385.
16. Marseglia M., Cantini F., Tanzini A. (2021), Hybrid systems of human | technological | biological products: a road to a greater sustainability? Cumulus Roma 2021: Design Culture(s)

Bibliography

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2. Cruz, M., & Parker, B. (2022). From Anthropocene to Biocene: Novel Bio-Integrated Design as a Means to Respond to the Current Biodiversity and Climate Crisis. In Design Studio Vol. 4: Working at the Intersection (pp. 52-61). RIBA Publishing.
3. Langella, C., Scodeller, D., Dal Buono, V. (2017) Design parametrico e generativo: nuove prospettive di ricerca, MD Journal n.3/2017, ISSN 2531-9477 [online], ISBN 978-88-940517-7-3 [print]
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6. Lucibello, S., & Montalti, M. (2019). Beyond Human-New Paradigms of Active Collaboration in Design. diid Design, 2030, 26.
7. Myers, W. (2015). Bio art: altered realities. Thames & Hudson.
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9. Roudavski, S. (2021). Interspecies Design. In J. Parham (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Literature and the Anthropocene (Cambridge Companions to Literature, pp. 147-162). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108683111.010
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