YCAM OpenLab 2020 is a series of online talk sessions that reflect on the state of research and development, art, and technology today.

The world is currently facing the global spread of COVID-19. In Japan, the virus' impacts on our lifestyles on a scale that feels unlike anything we have ever experienced before. Also, we have observed a massive strain on resources in health care facilities accompanying the spread of infection and the first declaration of a state of emergency in national history. Facing such circumstances, independent labs all over the world that are able to carry out small-scale trial manufacturing have been making necessities such as masks, face shields, and protective clothing through the use of machines such as 3D printers and on-hand materials. Additionally, bio labs with the necessary equipment and knowledge of biotechnology have been developing simple test kits for COVID-19.

In this session, we welcome members of organizations with active bio labs based in various regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, who took the podium at last year's "YCAM OpenLab 2019: Understanding Living Culture." Alongside them, also joining experts on biotechnology and guests from labs in other regions. Our hosts are members of YCAM InterLab and Yuya Tsukahara (contact Gonzo). We will move our venue online, welcome our guests one by one each week, and hold a talk session discussing the situation of where their activities are based, as well as their ongoing initiatives.

By interacting with biotechnology practitioners, we will shed light on the role of bio labs, their relationships with life and culture, and further possibilities of public facilities.