Modern Synthesis explores how synthetic biology might be used to produce truly sustainable materials for the fashion industry. The team found inspiration in the growing behaviour of a bacteria called k.rhaeticus, often found in kombucha tea. This spurred the idea of collaborating with the bacteria to make a new type of material. The process, which they call microbial weaving, is energy-efficient and needs no additional chemical processing. The result is a strong, lightweight and fully customisable biomaterial. And because the microbes are fed using only natural sources—like waste from local apple farms—everything they make is both 100% biodegradable and closed-loop recyclable. Learn more at: modern-synthesis.com