BeerDeCoded
Project Overview
BeerDeCoded is a quest to sequence the DNA found in 1,000 beers from all over the world. The project is led by Hackuarium member Gianpaolo Rando. BeerDeCoded is a funny iteration of the Open Food DNA project.
Our goals
BeerDeCoded is a research project to draw a genetic map of beers. The public contributes to every step of this project: from securing funding to doing the experiment, from testing (and tasting) the samples to publishing the results. BeerDeCoded is doing-research-together, on the streets, in the bars and in an open laboratory.
The main goals are the following:
- Democratise DNA analyses
- Demystify and explain genetic data
- Produce an open access knowledge database
- Understand the brewing process better
Beer DNA?
Beer is a living beverage. The DNA comes from its ingredients (hops, grains, yeast). There are 1,000+ yeast varieties used for brewing and 200+ hops species, each one bearing a different DNA. Artisanal beer (craft beer) is trendy: microbreweries produce a large variety of beers, each one with its unique recipe and taste. It seems impossible to taste them all, so we are making a "tree of beers" based on their biochemical composition.
What now?
We received the Kickstarter payment and we are actively working on beer DNA extractions, sequencing and bioinformatics.
- All the tasks are in this Trello: https://trello.com/b/NyG1Z7A7/beerdecoded-execution
- Our last update (October 27, 2015) for our Kickstarter backers: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/489252126/beerdecoded-the-1000-beer-genomes/posts/1394351
Want to help us? Drop us a note or join an #OpenHackuarium.
Events
Sometimes we organise BeerDeCoded workshops at Hackuarium.
We also load a miniaturized laboratory on a cargo-bike and bring beer DNA sequencing to public events.
We were present at the following events:
- ScienceComm15, Solothurn
- EXPO15 Milan, Swiss Pavillon
- LIFT Basel, "the future of food". Slides. Media:151030_BeerDecoded_Workshop_LIFTbasel.pdf
If you want BeerDeCoded at your event, please contact gianpaolo.rando@swissdecode.ch
How do we finance the project?
At LIFT15 conference in Geneva, we discussed the project during a science crowdfunding workshop.
We then joined the first Science x Kickstarter hackathon in New York City (Feb 28, 2015) to craft a crowdfunding campaign for a pilot experiment.
We have been successfully funded in 20 days in June 2015.
After that, we attracted some sponsorship from local partners.
Today BeerDeCoded runs on a voluntary basis.
Budget
We have funding for sequencing 96 beers. Rough project costs:
- 500 CHF - Beer collection
- 1000 CHF - DNA purification (we extract DNA out of the beer)
- 5500 CHF - DNA amplification and multiplexing (we amplifiy the DNA, we label it with a ID code and we pool the labeled samples inside a sequencer)
- 3000 CHF - DNA sequencing.
Other steps (manpower, bioinformatic analyses, data visualisation and communication) are done on a voluntary basis.
Team
Gianpaolo Rando leads the Open Food DNA project. He holds a Ph.D in biotechnology and has 10 years of experience at the interface between genomics and nutrition. He is a proud member of Hackurium, has a passion for food and drinks and wants to expand the project to beer and other beverages (fb.com/BeerDeCoded).
Jonathan Sobel
Nicolas
Luc Henry holds a DPhil in chemical biology and has a genuine interest in the impact of new technologies on society, in particular in the fields of biotechnology and health. He is the co-founder of Hackuarium and wants to promote an open approach to science and innovation.
Any question?
Contact us via Gianpaolo Rando, Jonathan Sobel or Luc Henry.
BeerDeCoded on the Web
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