ASCUS Art & Science

Add a unique experience to any Edinburgh visit! As a city long celebrated for major scientific discoveries and rich arts and culture, Edinburgh hosts ASCUS Lab, a one-of-a-kind lab that blends art and science. Visitors can try on lab coats, explore the unseen under microscopes, print with bacterial pigments, discover bioluminescent bacteria, and decorate their own piece to take home, made from a wide range of sustainable biomaterials.

Visitors can drop ASCUS an email, book a session, or stop by for a free 15-minute lab tour between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. ASCUS is a small team, and if unavailable at that time, they place a notice on their Lab door. To ensure availability, they recommend contacting (Via Email) in advance to confirm the Lab tour.

For Edinburgh explorers: Looking for things to do? ASCUS invites visitors to drop by for a free lab tour, keep an eye on their website for periodic workshops, or email in advance to book a personalised taster session for individuals or groups. They can accommodate 1-12 visitors and all age groups above 8 years during the Lab visit. A truly unique Edinburgh experience offering a rare chance to explore a Lab environment accessible to the public.

For scientists: Have a project in mind but lack the capacity to explore the science through a creative lens? ASCUS provides a space to illustrate what is seen under the microscope and to explore individual art-science projects. Scientific research can be hard to communicate to public audiences unfamiliar with the details, and ASCUS welcomes collaborations to create workshops and hands-on activities that make research accessible, engaging, and fun, offering a window into real science happening today.

For artists and creators: ASCUS supports the exploration of the bio-design landscapes, encouraging creative heads to use scientific elements to inspire their artistic journeys. The Lab provides the facilities and expertise needed to equip creatives with the science required to begin working at this intersection.