Team Werewool — chosen to represent FIT in the 2018 international Biodesign Challenge Summit on June 21 and 22 at the Museum of Modern Art — was honored for “Best Presentation” from among 29 schools on six continents. The team had also been one of three teams selected as finalists for the prestigious Stella McCartney x PETA Animal-Free Wool Prize.
Werewool is exploring a concept to create a new class of textile fibers sourced from tubulin, a protein extracted from human cheek cells. The tubulin is then genetically altered to help bind the biomaterial by way of the enzyme transglutaminase and extruded it into a biodegradable fiber. Through this project, Werewool is working to create a new platform for fiber innovation.
The four Werewool team members are all pursuing either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in Textile Development and Marketing. They are Louise Ford, BS; Valentina Gomez, AAS; Morgana Kattermann, AAS; and Chui-Lian Lee, BS.Their advisors are Sebastian Cocioba, a plant biotechnology researcher at the MIT Media Lab, and Theanne Schiros, assistant professor, Science and Math, at FIT.