THE BIOLOGICAL TURN. New frontiers of transdisciplinarity applied to materials design.

The text explores an approach to biodesign as a systemic and transdisciplinary response to the environmental crisis, and more specifically to the issue of materials, by proposing new tools and methodologies capable of addressing the complexity of the real world. In line with Joi Ito’s idea that “Bio is the new digital,” biology is now emerging as a powerful design tool, offering a significant paradigm shift in the field of design. In this context, it becomes important to understand how to integrate the scientific method—characterized by the question of ‘how things are’ and based on inductive-deductive reasoning—with the specificities of the design method, which focuses on ‘how things could and should be,’ and is rooted in intuitive-abductive reasoning. The research experiences described show how co-creation between design and the life sciences can lead to the development of high-value biofabricated materials and products. The text highlights the need to develop new research spaces, methods, and tools capable of supporting the integration of science, ecology, ethics and design disciplines in favor of a transdisciplinary design approach.