Throwback to my interview with Dr Keira Tucker from
@ascusartandscience
on ASCUS' collaborative projects with @edinburghuniversity .
Why should we combine art & science? Is it even possible?
Keira got her PhD in Microbiology before becoming the manager of ASCUS, the first open-access laboratory in Scotland.
During this time, she started realizing her dream of combining the seemingly unrelated disciplines of art & science.
For more interesting art & science crossovers at ASCUS,
watch the full video interview in our bio, or listen on any podcasting app!
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Interview recorded, edited and produced for BioPOD by @daily_anicka
Camera by @ainsliekr_photography .
Episode cover art by Amandine Hong-Minh.
#scicomm #sciencepodcast #biologypodcast #scienceoutreach #edinburghsciencefestival #artandscience
Here’s a glimpse of some of the things happening in the #ASCUSLab and what we are all about. 🦠🧫🧪🎨🔬
We are now also on TikTok! Follow us @ascuslab or follow the link in our bio to see more videos of what happens in Scotland’s first publicly accessible bio-art lab.
Today's microscopy training session with @aleksandrk.co.uk and @romanovna_olga all the way from London!
Passionfruit, shells, sand, flowers, hair and seeds are just some of the things they brought with them to see under our different microscopes🔬😍
#microscopy #ASCUSLab #art #nature
On Tuesday I’m giving a talk at an Art and Science event in a PUB! 🍺⚛️
It’s called “Pint of Science 2026, Creative Reactions”.
@ascusartandscience will be giving a talk and a microscopy demo on Monday, 18 May.
On Tuesday at 5, I will be giving a talk on my project,
I will also have some sample pieces of the installation there as well.
I am followed by @irenealdazabal who hosting a botanical illustration workshop! All at a PUB!
Tickets are only £5 per night!
They can be booked here for Tuesday (my night): /event/sculpting-science/
Here for Monday:
/event/seeing-beyond-the-lens/
@steelcoulsonsouthside
Steel Coulson Southside, 114 Causewayside, Newington,
Edinburgh EH9 1PU
@pintofscience
#pintofscience2026
#artandscience
What an absolutely wonderful afternoon spent with @raeyensong and @michaelbarr_michaelbarr , finally having the time to see the masterpiece •~TUA~• 大眼 •~MAK~• at @glasgowtramway .
ASCUS were the microbiology collaborators for this work and it's brilliant seeing the microlife in the pond thriving🔬🦠🪱🐌
The exhibition is on until 16th August
Open Wed - Fri 12pm-5pm
Sat 12-6pm
Sun 12-5pm
We’re really excited to be participating in @pintofscience this year!
Learn more about ASCUS and discover the hidden world beneath your fingertips. Participants will create their own microscope slides using vitamin C and cells from their own skin.
We’re also really excited to reconnect with @drsara_brown and @beverley.hood.studio who will be talking about Surface Echoes, a resource that brings to life the everyday challenges and emotional impact of eczema.
🗓18 May
📍Steel Coulson Southside
🕧7-9pm
🎫£5
Link in bio
#pintofscience #artandscience #skin #microscopy #Edinburgh
Our microbiome is as unique to us as our fingerprints are!
How beautiful are these plates showing the growth of skin microorganisms from the thumbs of students at @montessoriartsschool ?🧫😍
#microbiome #microbiology #STEAM
The Meadows are in bloom .
We brought a piece of it back to the lab.
A closer look at cherry blossoms
#visitscotland #edinburghforever #artandscience #cherryblossom🌸
Lovely to be back at @montessoriartsschool for the new term today.
Today we used growth conditions and traits of bacteria to help identify traits within ourselves that make us who we are, and based on those traits created self-portraits using the bacteria which will grow for next week!🧫☀️
#school #science #STEAM #bacteria #identity
We had a really fun afternoon today with an introduction to microscopy session for photographers, filmmakers, animators and more!🔬🎥📸
#microscopy #ascuslab #photography #artandscience
It was a pleasure to host this conversation yesterday evening between artist Susan Aldworth, scientist Dr Amanda Jarvis from The University of Edinburgh, and Keira Tucker from ASCUS Art & Science, chaired by our Chief Executive Janet Archer.
It was a very interesting, stimulating and inspiring discussion about their collaborative experience, the overlaps between scientific and artistic process, how sustainability shapes both research and art, and the importance of both art and science in curricula. It was especially fascinating to hear the process that Susan went through with various acids and Aqua Regia to produce her beautiful etchings.
Presented by The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Printmakers, and ASCUS Art and Science
Behind the scenes of Susan Aldworth: Modern Alchemy!
Modern Alchemy is in Gallery 2 until 28 June and is free to visit.
This exhibition by artist Susan Aldworth is the result of a collaboration with Dr Amanda Jarvis of The University of Edinburgh whose research in sustainable chemistry explores how to make chemical synthesis greener including recycling and replacing precious metals with cheaper, more abundant alternatives.
In 2023 Aldworth was awarded a commission by ASCUS Art & Science to make a series of experimental works in response to Dr Jarvis’ research whose long-term aim is to develop more sustainable catalytic chemistry. To mirror the ambition of Jarvis’ laboratory to reduce, recycle or replace expensive metals in catalysis, Aldworth decided to work in etching, switching from expensive copper and zinc etching plates to cheaper steel plates. By throwing chemicals into the aquatint resin before it was fired onto the plate surface, Aldworth developed a visual equivalence of catalysis– capturing a moment of chemical reaction.
To read more please see our website: link in bio >Exhibitions
#artandscience #etching #chemistry #collaboration #contemporaryprintmaking
