BeerDeCoded
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 and is an 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 alive, and therefore it contains DNA. The DNA comes from its ingredients (hops, grains, yeast) and from the microbes that were present on the ingredients and in the brewing environment. 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
We run BeerDeCoded workshops at Hackuarium or at public events. We can load a miniaturized laboratory on a cargo-bike and bring beer DNA sequencing everywhere.
Events to come:
- Feb 19, 2016. Swissnex San Francisco. A hands on night on beer microbiology, outreach and entrepreneurship open to Swiss alumni. www.swissnexsanfrancisco.org/event/beerdecoded/
- Mar 16, 2016. EPFL STIL16: Innovation and Technology exhibition. http://www.salon-stil.ch/index.php
If you want BeerDeCoded at your event, please contact gianpaolo.rando@swissdecode.ch
Past events
- Nov 28, 2015 A private party for our Kickstarter backers at Hackuarium
- July 18, 2015 First test of the DNA Workchoppe at Hackuarium
- Oct 30, 2015 LIFT Basel, "the future of food". Slides. Media:151030_BeerDecoded_Workshop_LIFTbasel.pdf
- Oct 22, 2015 EXPO15 Milan, Swiss Pavillon
- Sep 24, 2015 ScienceComm15, Solothurn
- NCCR Retreat in Chemical Biology
- GEW Geneva
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.
Budget
Today BeerDeCoded runs on a voluntary basis. We pay reagents and services. 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 amplify 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.
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