UnternehmerTUM [x] BioKitchen
Germany's first open biolab
- Location
- Munich, Germany
- Year
- 2018
- Size
- 40 m²
- Lab area
- 40 m²
- Safety level
- S1
- Deep tech
- Incubators
[X] Biokitchen UnternehmerTUM [x] was founded by Jérôme, Philip, Alex and Raphael in late 2016 with the goal to combine AI, Robotics and Synthetic Biology and create deep tech startups at those intersections. To provide innovative startups with a lab to take up their research in, we opened Germany's first open S1 biotech lab - the [x] Biokitchen . The Biokitchen was planned in early 2018, build with a team of 20 people within a week in April and opened to the public in May 2018.
Waldner [x] Prototyping Challenge
The Challenge: Create Germany's first open biolab for startups to develop their early biological and chemical prototypes. These drawings were all the plans we had prepared when we set out to complete our challenge. Beyond that, we had 20 people, plenty of raw materials and many ideas.
Discover
In just one week, we planned, prototyped and then built the final Biokitchen from scratch. Alongside the process, we invented 6 new lab appliances, some of which later received patent protection.
Sprint
Time Lapse of the Lab Sprint
Enter the room, say your name, and the benches adapt to your height as well as unlock your over bench cabinets. They then open touchless with a gesture, so your hands stay sterile. The mobile media supply under the benches gives you gases, air pressure or vacuum whenever and wherever you need it - no piping required. One master screen and high-end computer visible from all angles is the stationary control unit of the lab, where all machines are controlled from. The voice control lets you login, control the music and notes as well as supply orders. On the left, there is the machinery park. All devices plugged in and ready to use. In the middle, there is the simple but flexible storage box inventory and on the right, a walk-in fume hood that serves as a flexible way to store and run chemical experiments.
More Impressions
With our partners, we equipped the space with the latest innovations and connected all systems to create an integrated, user friendly experience. Below are some of the key technologies deployed in the Biokitchen.
Sartorius Picus NXT Electronic Pipette
Enjoy working with the Picus® — its ergonomic, fully electronic design minimizes strain and maximizes precision.
MinION DNA Sequencer
The MinION is the world’s only portable, real-time DNA and RNA sequencer, generating 10–30 Gb of data per flow cell and enabling rapid, on-site genetic analysis.
Opentron – One S
The OT-One S Standard simplifies lab automation with a single-channel pipette for precise, affordable liquid handling.
Opendrop Microfluidics
OpenDrop is part of a larger digital biology ecosystem, aiming to make personal lab automation accessible to everyone.
Fluics Inventory
Mobile, easy-to-use barcode inventory tracking to replace handwritten labelling of samples.
Essentim Sensors
IoT-monitoring systems to track all your assay’s environment and influencing factors.
Deployed Tech
Joerg Hoffmann
CEO
During these six days, my team and I experienced a whole new approach to product development. We were impressed how we could create real innovation within days – by combining the experience of our employees with interdisciplinary experts from other fields and new working methods. Don’t wait, just do it. We learned a lot during this project with UnternehmerTUM[x] and incorporated this spirit in our processes, especially in product development. Today, we develop new products often together with our customers within months.
First Phage Biohackathon in the new [x] Biokitchen