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Feb 03, 2025
Life Science Lab –Two Years of Innovation and Growth
The Life Science Lab at the ETH Student Project House (SPH) marks its second anniversary this year, celebrating a remarkable journey of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student-driven projects. The lab initially opened in 2023 as a pilot project. Thanks to a generous donation from the Georg H. Endress Stiftung, the lab has become a hub for innovation and creative exploration across various fields.
Expanding Horizons
In 2024, the Life Science Lab experienced significant growth, with the number of annually supported lab users nearly doubling to 32. This expansion was driven by a dedicated team and strategic partnerships with donors and sponsors, enabling the lab to support more ambitious projects. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Ulrich Genick, our Life Science Lab lead, Dr. Tetiana Luhovska, our lab supervisor, and Mattis Stolze, who developed the strategy aligned with SPH's objectives.
We would also like to warmly thank our generous supporters from D-BIOL: Dr. Katja Köhler, Florin Gegenschatz, Dr. Samuel Tobler, Prof. Karsten Weis, Prof. Uwe Sauer, Prof. Paolo Picotti, and Prof. Nicola Zamboni.
The Life Science lab’s state-of-the-art equipment, a collection of well over 100 lab chemicals and biochemical reagents enables a wide range of projects in the modern life sciences and in adjacent disciplines. The lab is registered as a biosafety level 1 facility for the growth of bacteria, yeasts, fungi and plants (autoclave, incubators, sterile work bench, growth chambers), biochemical, cell-biological and genetic work (multimode plate reader, real-time and standard PCR machines, centrifuges, microscopes, protein and DNA electrophoresis) and simple chemical work (fume hood and solvent storage).
For many users, the lab provides the first opportunity to freely explore a life science lab. Whether testing biotech innovations, discovering new materials, or pioneering plant-based meat alternatives, the possibilities are endless. The lab provides hands-on experience and, through our close contacts with neighbouring research labs, provides access to advanced equipment, that students might not encounter in traditional classroom settings. Thus fostering practical skills and real-world problem-solving abilities.
Projects using the Life Science Lab
MYDO Mushrooms
We are upcycling biological waste into gourmet mushrooms. Focusing on Lions Mane and Oyster mushrooms.We are working at the SPH Life Science Lab: Isolating cultures on agar plates, expanding cultures
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Growing gourmet mushrooms
In the SPH Life Science Lab we aim to grow delicious gourmet mushrooms.
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Bioluminescent Plants
We aim to genetically engineer fungi genes into plants in order to generate constant, nontoxic glow. We are currently working at the SPH Life Science Lab and are part of the student cummunity
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Parallelized Microfluidics
We use microfluidic technology to generate thousands of droplets. Each droplet acts as a tiny agar plate to grow up potential bacterial contamination. We can detect very small concentrations of
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Student Learnings
“In the Life Science Lab, I learned the importance of maintaining a sterile environment. When cultivating mushrooms, a clean source is crucial for new growth. I also learned to accept that even with perfect execution, results may vary. Nature often has its own plans!”
Dominik Bögli from Project MYDO Mushrooms.
Dominik’s experience highlights a key aspect of working in the Life Science Lab: learning through experimentation. Beyond technical skills, students highlighted the critical role of mentorship and guidance in navigating protocols, solving problems, and leveraging resources. They gained invaluable skills such as:
- Practical Experience: Hands-on work with advanced scientific equipment and techniques.
- Problem-Solving: Independent troubleshooting and analytical thinking.
- Collaboration: Interdisciplinary teamwork and integrating diverse perspectives.
- Research Protocols: Proficiency in developing and following rigorous scientific protocols.
Building on this, Oliver Nagl reflected on the long-term impact of these experiences:
“In the Life Science Lab, my team colleagues and I learned how to plan and carry out experiments independently. This experience has already helped us enormously in other lab work, as we now approach new protocols with more confidence.”
Notable Achievements
Some of the notable achievements from the Life Science Lab include:
- Supported Projects: The lab has supported a diverse range of innovative projects from exploring fungi cultivation to developing remedies for cat allergies and even researching bioluminescent plants.
- Healthy Community: Passionate lab users, including collaborations with Student Biolab Zürich and their incubator program, Bioincubate.ch. This environment hosts contests and workshops, continually attracting more students to engage with and utilise the lab's resources.
- Expert Staff: The lab is supported by two experienced biologists, Ulrich Genick and Tetiana Luhovska, enhancing the quality and depth of research and mentorship available to students.
- GreenLabs Certification: Our Life Science Lab has officially received the LEAF GreenLabs Bronze certification, recognising our commitment to reduce our environmental impact while advancing research. This certification highlights our efforts to adopt greener lab practices, improve efficiency, and contribute to sustainability goals.
Looking Ahead
As the Life Science Lab enters its third year, the focus remains on continuing to support student-led innovation and fostering a collaborative environment. Plans are underway to further enhance the experience for our students through more collaborations with other labs and a first set of life science lab workshops happening in May 2025.
"With the continued support of our donors, partners, and the ETH community, we are confident, that the lab will continue to be a catalyst for student exploration and innovation."
Ulrich, Life Science Lab Lead.
The Life Science Lab's second anniversary highlights the power of student curiosity and the impact of a supportive environment. For more information, visit the Life Science Lab Website.
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