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BioData Processing

Danilo Oliveira Vaz

Can we communicate with other living beings besides animals?

For example, it is well known that plants and fungi are sentient creatures, but modern societies/humans seem to regard this fact as unworthy of much attention. Perhaps we do so because we lack a common language to establish such inter-realms communication.

Can we communicate with other living beings besides animals?

In this hands-on project you will challenge this frontier by translating electric signals (BioData) from plants and fungi into audio-visual media that we humans are capable of relating to. In order to accomplish this, you will engage with Processing, "a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts."

Optional: In case you have an Anduino kit this project can be double fun, as learners will have instructions on how to collect the BioData themselves.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Develops artistic coding skills with Processing for data visualization and sonification

Suitable for beginners interested in exploring interdisciplinary connections between science, art, and technology

Offers hands-on experience in collecting and translating bio-data from plants and fungi

Arduino users may benefit from additional instructions on data collection

Assumes learners have access to necessary hardware and software, which may pose financial barriers

Prior experience with Processing or similar coding frameworks is recommended

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Reviews summary

Creative biodata visualization with processing

According to students, 'BioData Processing' is a highly innovative and engaging project that bridges art, science, and technology by teaching how to translate electrical signals from plants and fungi into captivating audio-visual media using the Processing framework. Learners frequently praise the hands-on approach, clear guidance, and the invaluable GitHub resources that support the creative coding activities. Many appreciate the optional Arduino integration for collecting personal bio-data. However, some learners with limited programming experience note that the initial technical setup and pace can be challenging for absolute beginners, suggesting a need for prior comfort with coding environments.

Optional Arduino module enhances hands-on bio-data collection.

"The optional Arduino part was a bonus, allowing me to truly collect my own data."

"I used the Arduino setup and it was genuinely thrilling to see my plant 'talk' through visuals."

"I didn't have an Arduino kit, so I used the provided sample data, which still worked, but I felt I missed out on the full experience."

GitHub repository is a crucial and helpful asset for the project.

"The GitHub resources were incredibly helpful for setting up."

"The GitHub link was essential, but I had to do a lot of troubleshooting on my own."

"The provided GitHub repository is a treasure trove of resources."

"The external GitHub link was very helpful, providing the necessary code and files."

Provides practical experience in creative data visualization.

"The step-by-step guidance on using Processing for audio-visual output from bio-data was spot on."

"The hands-on approach with Processing made it so accessible. The instructor's guidance was clear..."

"I liked the practical application of Processing. It's a niche topic, but very well presented..."

Explores fascinating interdisciplinary bio-data translation.

"This project was absolutely fascinating! I've always been curious about plant communication, and this hands-on approach with Processing made it so accessible."

"A very unique and inspiring project. The concept of translating biodata into visuals and sound is brilliant."

"Loved every moment of this project! As an artist looking to incorporate new media, this course opened up so many possibilities."

"This is exactly what I was looking for – a practical way to explore bio-art and creative coding."

Initial setup of software and libraries can be complex.

"I found the instructions for setting up Processing and getting the initial code running a bit vague."

"I struggled with the technical setup. The instructions were sometimes unclear, and I spent a significant amount of time trying to get Processing to recognize the libraries."

"The creative part is rewarding once you overcome the initial hurdles. Definitely not for someone completely new to programming or tech setups."

Learners benefit from some prior programming knowledge.

"It assumes some prior comfort with coding environments, which wasn't quite my level."

"While the core Processing concepts are introduced, those with absolutely no prior coding might find it overwhelming to keep up..."

"I would recommend it, but with a warning that some prior coding experience would be a significant advantage."

"If you're a complete beginner to coding, be prepared for a steeper learning curve."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in BioData Processing with these activities:

Read 'Entangled Life' by Merlin Sheldrake

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Deepen your understanding of the role played by fungi in our planet's ecosystem and human civilization, providing context for the course's exploration of inter-species communication.

View Entangled Life: The Illustrated Edition: How... on Amazon

Show steps

Procure a copy of 'Entangled Life'
Read the book
Take notes as you read
Reflect on the implications of Sheldrake's work

Join a study group focused on BioData

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Foster collaboration and enhance your understanding by joining a study group dedicated to exploring BioData and inter-realms communication.

Show steps

Identify potential study partners
Form a study group
Meet regularly
Discuss BioData and related concepts

Experiment with Processing sketches

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Enhance your visual coding skills by experimenting with Processing sketches, solidifying your understanding of data visualization techniques.

Browse courses on Processing

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Familiarize yourself with Processing
Create simple sketches
Explore the Processing community
Experiment with different data sets

Five other activities

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Explore Arduino tutorials

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Expand your understanding of hardware interfacing by studying Arduino tutorials, preparing you to collect BioData from plants and fungi.

Browse courses on Arduino

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Identify relevant Arduino tutorials
Follow the tutorials
Build simple Arduino projects
Connect your Arduino to a computer

Develop a visual representation of your BioData

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Demonstrate your grasp of inter-realms communication by creating a visual representation of BioData, fostering your creativity and analytical thinking.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Choose a data visualization tool
Import your BioData
Explore different visual representations
Refine your visualization
Present your visualization

Attend a Processing workshop

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Accelerate your progress by attending a Processing workshop, deepening your understanding of the software and connecting with other enthusiasts.

Browse courses on Processing

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Identify relevant Processing workshops
Register for a workshop
Attend the workshop
Apply what you learn

Contribute to an open-source BioData project

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Solidify your understanding of BioData and contribute to the scientific community by participating in an open-source project.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify an open-source BioData project
Review the project's documentation
Contribute to the project
Submit a pull request

Participate in a BioData hackathon

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Challenge yourself and showcase your skills by participating in a BioData hackathon, pushing the boundaries of inter-realms communication.

Show steps

Identify relevant BioData hackathons
Form a team or participate individually
Develop a BioData-related project
Submit your project

Career center

Learners who complete BioData Processing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Geneticist

Geneticists study genes and heredity. They research and analyze genetic data, create genetic models, and develop genetic therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Genetics role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geneticist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data to make data-driven decisions. This course can help someone in a Data Science role by providing a foundation in working with and processing biological data. More specifically, this course can be helpful for those interested in the field of bioinformatics, which combines biology, computer science, and information technology to manage and analyze large amounts of biological data. The course's focus on translating electrical signals collected from plants and mushrooms into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the nervous system and its function. They research and analyze neurological data, create neurological models, and develop neurological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Neuroscience role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuroscientist

Immunologist

Immunologists study the immune system and its response to infection and disease. They research and analyze immunological data, create immunological models, and develop immunological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in an Immunology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Immunologist

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms and their interactions with the environment and human health. They research and analyze microbiological data, create microbiological models, and develop microbiological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Microbiology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Pharmacologist

Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on the body. They research and analyze pharmacological data, create pharmacological models, and develop pharmacological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Pharmacology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacologist

Ecologist

Ecologists study the interactions between living organisms and their environment. They research and analyze ecological data, create ecological models, and develop ecological policies. This course may be useful for someone in an Ecology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and find solutions to environmental problems. They research and analyze environmental data, create environmental models, and develop environmental policies. This course may be useful for someone in an Environmental Science role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on the body. They research and analyze toxicological data, create toxicological models, and develop toxicological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Toxicology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study wildlife populations and their habitats. They research and analyze wildlife data, create wildlife models, and develop wildlife conservation plans. This course may be useful for someone in a Wildlife Biology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals and their behavior. They research and analyze zoological data, create zoological models, and develop zoological conservation plans. This course may be useful for someone in a Zoology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Marine Biologist

Marine Biologists study marine life and ecosystems. They conduct research on marine organisms, habitats, and ecosystems, and develop plans for conservation and management. This course may be useful for someone in a Marine Biology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marine Biologist

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in animals. They perform surgeries, prescribe medications, and provide general care to animals. This course may be useful for someone in a Veterinary role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field, particularly in research or animal-related medical fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers combine engineering principles with medical knowledge to design, build, and maintain cutting-edge medical devices, implants, and other systems. This course may be useful for someone in a Biomedical Engineering role, as it provides a foundation in working with biological data and designing systems to interact with living organisms. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from plants and fungi into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Engineer

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to biological data and medical research. Their work assists in assessing and improving the efficacy of medical treatments, developing new drugs, and understanding the causes of diseases. This course may be useful for someone in a Biostatistics role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in biostatistics specifically.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in BioData Processing.

The Secret Life of Plants

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Explores the scientific evidence for plant sentience and communication, providing a foundation for understanding the inter-realms communication that this course aims to facilitate.

The Secret Life of Plants: a Fascinating Account of...

Paperback

(Deutsch) Das geheime Leben der Pflanzen: Der Klassiker...

Kindle Edition

Entangled Life

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This fascinating book delves into the hidden world of fungi, revealing their ecological importance and potential role in inter-species communication, complementing the course's focus on plant-based interactions.

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change...

Paperback

Entangled Life: The Illustrated Edition: How Fungi...

Hardcover

Entangled Life How Fungi Make Our Worlds The...

Hardcover

(Deutsch) Verwobenes Leben: Wie Pilze unsere Welt formen und...

Kindle Edition

Generative Art

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This practical guide explores generative art techniques using Processing, providing hands-on examples and insights into the creative potential of code, which is central to this course.

BioData Processing

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Creative biodata visualization with processing

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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