Microbes to Materials
Cyanobacterial Biomineralization for Sustainable Cement

Convened by

Maria Dittrich
Senior Fellow 2025–2026

Ueli Angst
Associate Fellow

Details

Venue & accessibility info: Meridian Hall, Collegium Helveticum

This is a public event. Participation is free of charge and no registration is needed.

Followed by a small reception.

Cement production accounts for nearly 6% of global CO₂ emissions, making sustainable alternatives a critical challenge. This workshop examines bio-cement — created by harnessing cyanobacteria's ability to sequester carbon and precipitate carbonates — as a promising path forward. Realizing that potential demands collaboration across microbiology, geochemistry, architecture, engineering, and environmental policy.

The event will bring together experts from materials science, microbiology, civil engineering, climate policy, and design to discuss:

• The science of microbial carbonate precipitation
• Technical challenges and scalability of bio-cement
• Environmental and economic implications
• Cultural and architectural perspectives on integrating bio-based materials into construction

The discussion will be followed by an interactive Q&A, poster, and networking session, bringing together researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to foster collaboration.

During the event, the newly founded association Biotechnologies in Architecture and Construction will be presented.

Program