Nurturing the Unseen: Microbial Oasis

Microbial Oasis

Shijia Huang is a designer and artist based in London and Beijing, exploring the intriguing connections between humans and microorganisms. With a background in architecture and interactive art, she now focuses on how these microscopic life forms interact with us. In her latest project, Shijia uses human bone tissue to create unique habitats for microbes, enhancing biodiversity and promoting coexistence among different forms of life. By merging her architectural expertise with thought-provoking art, she invites us to view the microscopic world from a new angle.

This project is making us rethink how we can help protect and restore ecosystems, especially when it comes to life forms we can’t see with our human eyes.

The world of microbes is facing significant challenges. Climate change and human activities are disrupting these tiny communities that are vital to our planet’s health. While the impact of plant and animal biodiversity is well-documented, global microbial biodiversity often receives little attention. These remarkable microorganisms cycle carbon and nitrogen, maintain soil fertility and help regulate our climate. Unfortunately, some microbial populations are declining, and their struggles often go unnoticed because they are so small and invisible.

Shijia drew her inspiration from nature itself. Sphagnum moss, a remarkable plant known for its unique, water-retaining cells, sparked her ideas for creating safe spaces for microbes. This moss plays a crucial role in wetlands, helping to store carbon and maintain ecosystems. Using cutting-edge biotechnology, she crafted 3D-printed structures from silk protein and a calcium-based material. She then adds human stem cells to these structures, creating a tissue that mimics bone. This forms a supportive environment for bacteria and algae to thrive.

By using human cells in these structures, Shijia is embracing an innovative approach. She’s not just creating homes for microbes; she’s integrating humans into their ecosystem. This method showcases our interconnectedness with all forms of life and demonstrates how we can support and enhance their roles in our shared environment.

As she works on this, Shijia keeps asking big questions. How does losing microbial diversity affect the world around us? Can we learn to care about creatures we can’t even see? These questions drive her forward, always seeking new ways to understand and connect with the microbial world.

Shijia’s groundbreaking work with microbial habitats resonates deeply with Haeckels’ commitment to biome-friendly skincare. Haeckels Lab: Spiraglow™ EGF Serum exemplifies this shared ethos. Like Shijia’s project, which creates nurturing environments for beneficial microorganisms, our serum is designed to support the skin’s natural microbiome. The EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) in our serum, derived from sugar fermentation, mirrors the innovative use of biotechnology in Shijia’s work. Both approaches harness natural processes to promote health and balance.

Our KIND TO BIOME® certification underscores this alignment, recognising products that respect and support the delicate microbial ecosystems on our skin. Just as Shijia’s project encourages us to reconsider our relationship with the microscopic world, our Spiraglow™ EGF Serum invites users to nurture their skin’s own microbiome. This parallel between Shijia’s environmental art and our skincare philosophy highlights a broader shift towards recognising the importance of microbial life in all aspects of our world – from the ecosystems around us to the very surface of our skin.