Lifeweave, an artist-run company at the intersection of genomics and textile craft launched this month, and it all started here at Broad.

Vavarella started working on the idea that would become Lifeweave soon after joining the Broad’s Artist-in-Residence program. “I was looking for ways of representing the most intimate and unique aspect of a person, and I began to think of DNA as an artistic medium,” says Vavarella.

Sample sequencing is performed at Broad Clinical Labs and all data is safely and anonymously stored on Terra.bio. Once sequencing is complete, information is processed by Lifeweave’s proprietary software, which designs and weaves the customer’s artwork.

For those who saw Vavarella’s genetic tapestry exhibit in 2024, who are interested in making their own, Lifeweave is now commercially available to all, in two available styles: Mathesis (geometric) and Floral (botanical). Over the years, Vavarella has developed several methods to turn genetic information into textiles. One of these was used for his first woven self-portrait, on display on the second floor of 300 Binney.

For the month of October, 2026, Broadies are eligible for a 10% launch discount using the promo code BROAD at checkout.

To learn more about Emilio’s residency, check out his video here.