Community researchers
Botanists, plant scientists, DIY biologists, biohackers, and independent biological researchers.
Participate
Join the living laboratory.
Carbocene’s Oakland greenhouse and garden are working research, propagation, and teaching environments. Public biology is part of the institution’s scientific life: people can encounter plants, materials, carbon, and ecological questions through practical work.
No laboratory or gardening background is required. Activities are structured so newcomers and experienced contributors can work alongside one another.
Biopunk Greenhouse
Trees, Biochar, and Open Plant Biotechnology
Spend an afternoon inside Carbocene’s working Oakland greenhouse and garden. We will propagate plants, make biochar, care for a living research collection, and explore how plant biotechnology can be practiced outside the usual boundaries of companies and universities.
Each gathering combines teaching, discussion, and practical work based on what the plants and projects need that week.
Learn About the GreenhouseCommunity biology
Research grows through an independent biological community.
Carbocene connects practical participation with careful stewardship, documentation, biosafety, and scientific responsibility.
Growers and makers
Gardeners, restoration practitioners, artists, and builders working with bamboo, wood, fibers, pigments, or biomaterials.
Emerging contributors
Students and early-career researchers looking for practical experience with living systems.
Visiting scientific organizations
Exchange across institutions.
Carbocene hosts visiting teams from nonprofit biotechnology, conservation technology, and mission-driven research organizations. The greenhouse provides a concrete setting to compare living-material stewardship, exchange scientific questions, and explore possible work across institutions.
Scientists and organizational leaders interested in visiting the greenhouse can contact Carbocene to arrange a conversation.
Stewardship placements
Living material needs responsible homes.
A limited number of plants may be available for separately arranged nonprofit research, education, conservation, or stewardship placements.
Availability depends on the plant line, intended use, receiving person or institution, and any applicable contractual, regulatory, or biosafety requirements.
Placement note: Plant placement is not included with event registration and is not conditioned on making a donation. Contact Carbocene to discuss an appropriate relationship.
Scientific collaboration
Develop research together.
Carbocene is interested in plant transformation, tissue culture and regeneration, plant physiology, greenhouse and field evaluation, forestry and restoration, construction bamboo biology, material testing, pigments and polymers, carbon mineralization, biochar, aspen coppice systems, and ecological monitoring.
Collaborative work is developed with clear terms for material custody, intellectual property, publication, funding, responsibilities, and long-term stewardship.