In this episode of Science Nation, host Sorin Badea (Radio Guerrilla) sits down with co-host, Andrei Tudose (Marginal.ro, art–science consultant) and UK-based bio-artist Anna Dumitriu, to discuss her thoughts and collaborative research with Dr. Alexandra Ciocan, researcher at the Developmental Biology department, of the Institute of Biology Bucharest, exploring the science behind natural remedies.
Instead of taking urban myths at face value, Anna works side by side with Alexandra in the lab—cultivating protected Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) in vitro cultures and analyzing antimicrobial properties of the native smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria). Together, they examine how lab-grown preservation cultures and critical art approaches can offer solutions to pressing current challenges, including hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic resistance.
Anna Dumitriu is one of the 3 artists in residence in the framework of Otherwise Residency 2026, organized by Marginal in partnership with the Institute of Biology Bucharest and 2Celsius.
Science Nation is a weekly podcast and radio column, co-hosted by Sorin Badea and Andrei Tudose, on the Update show, at Radio Guerrilla.
Otherwise Residency 2026 is co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund - AFCN.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of The Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or the manner in which the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding recipient.
