Cellularity explores the possibility of developing cell-like structures, or “chells” that mimic the features of biological cells. These cell-like structures have the potential to deliver pharmaceutical products into the patient. After time and more research, these “chells” become so cell-like that the line between life and non-life becomes increasingly blurred. To determine whether this is possible, requires an understanding of how living and non-living things differ from each other. King’s Cellularity Scale is a first attempt at a definition of how dead is dead, how alive is alive and how alive is dead? 

CV: James King is a speculative designer working in biotechnology and interaction design, examining the social and aesthetic implications of technology design.

Read "To form or multiply", an investigation into what design can contribute to synthetic biology, written by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg.