Bio Wiki?
wikis for biological information or biohacking
Background
Biohacking is a disputed term that means different things to different people. To some it might mean a vitamin regimen. To others it might mean a physical fitness program, or implanting LEDs under the skin, or doing biotechnology in a non-academic setting. [1]
DIYbio (do-it-yourself biology) is a similar term, that means a social movement, where people study and experiment with biology using methods similar to those in traditional research labs. This could be people with little informal training, or could be a program attached to a university to reach out and generate community interest in Biology.
Biohacking is a broader term that often overlaps with DIYbio but can also refer to using science and technology to modify or enhance biological functions biologyinsights.com. This can include:
Grinders: Body modifications such as implants, LEDs/RFID/NFC chips, or magnetic sensors to add new abilities like unlocking doors or the ability to sense magnetic fields.
The Biohacker Problem
There is a big problem in the biohacker space. Many biohacker groups have come and gone, and each new one often must reinvent the wheel, so to speak. This might occur because a group gets funded and becomes a busy small company, or it might fade as members graduate or move along to other hobbies. This causes gaps in knowledge as well as physical material availability. In contrast, the computer community has maintained a great deal of continuity using tools like wikis, or code repositories like github.
Are there such repositories/repos for the DIYBIO or Biohacker community, where knowledge can grow, and be updated by crowdsourcing methods?
This is one attempt to survey the field and see if such repos exist and are usable.
Updates to the list may be found here: https://github.com/hereisjohn/BiohackerWikis
1.Dedicated DIYbio & Biohacking Wikis
DIYhplus Wiki (diyhpl.us)
Maintained predominantly by Bryan Bishop (kanzure), this is a deep, plaintext repository of notes, FAQs, transcription logs, dense biological workflows, and related transhumanist/biohacking topics.
Web: https://diyhpl.us/wiki/diybio/
OpenWetWare (OWW)
An enduring MediaWiki platform hosted by the BioBricks Foundation. While heavily used by academic labs, its DIYbio section historically holds the primary community safety guidelines, FAQ sheets, and early standardized protocols for amateur genetic engineering and transformation.
Web: https://openwetware.org/wiki/DIYbio/FAQ
Reddit r/DIYbio Wiki
A crowd-sourced index of active community spaces, foundational legal/safety considerations, equipment recommendations (e.g., sourcing used centrifuges and incubators), and textbook alternatives. (Note: Some users report censorship/moderation, leading many to other platforms.)
Web: https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYbio/wiki/index/
DIYbiosphere
A community-driven database tracking global DIYbio projects, active community labs, and software tools. It runs on open-source GitHub infrastructure (Markdown files that anyone can edit via commits).
Web: https://sphere.diybio.org/
GitHub: https://github.com/DIYbiosphere/sphere
2.Global Collaboration & Project Hubs
These function less like traditional encyclopedias and more like distributed laboratory project networks. Creators can fork protocols, post experimental validation logs, and crowdsource safety discussions.
Just One Giant Lab (JOGL)
An active open-research platform for massive open-science initiatives (e.g., OpenCOVID19). It supports community peer review, open-source diagnostic assay development (such as low-cost RT-qPCR), and distributed manufacturing documentation.
Web: https://jogl.network/ (site was responsive but sparse. Is still listed as active).
Hackaday.io & GOSH (Gathering for Open Science Hardware)
Excellent for the hardware/physical side of DIYbio. Find complete protocols, BOMs, and firmware for building/calibrating open-source gel electrophoresis boxes, automated pipetting rigs, DIY spectrophotometers, etc.
Web: https://hackaday.io/
GOSH main site: https://openhardware.science/
3. Structured Protocol & Version-Control Repositories
These platforms (shared with academia) let individuals create public workspaces, assign DOIs to custom protocols, and maintain clean, forkable, step-by-step logs adaptable to non-traditional labs.
Protocols.io (Public/Open Access Tiers)
Modern interactive protocols. The community shares precise molecular workflows (non-proprietary enzyme purifications, home-brew buffers, custom exosome isolation, etc.). Step-by-step versioning supports adaptation to alternative equipment.
https://www.protocols.io/
Open Science Framework (OSF)
Maintained by the Center for Open Science. Users can create fully public wikis, file directories, and project registries with built-in version control for documents, datasets, and lab manuals
Web: https://osf.io/
GitHub / GitLab (Biomarkdown & Protocol Repositories)
Biohackers increasingly use Git for version-controlled lab manuals. Examples include the Open Insulin Project and groups building local AI RAG tools for papers. Markdown-formatted molecular biology procedures are common.Web:
Web: https://github.com/
Search example: https://github.com/search?q=biohack&type=repositories
or synbio
4. Open-Source Biological Registries & Repositories
These provide physical component data (plasmids, DNA sequences, etc.) paired with protocols, including parameters and validation.
iGEM Registry of Standard Biological Parts
A major open synthetic biology knowledge base. While physical distribution kits are restricted to registered teams, the full sequence data, characterization logs, and protocol wikis for thousands of BioBrick parts are publicly accessible.
Web Link: https://parts.igem.org/
Addgene (Knowledge Base & Protocols Section)
A plasmid repository whose open-access infrastructure includes curated protocol videos, vector maps, and troubleshooting guides (from basic transformations to complex CRISPR workflows).
Link: https://www.addgene.org/protocols/
Additional Suggested Links & Resources
Biohack.me Wiki (Human augmentation/grinder-focused): https://wiki.biohack.me/
Hackuarium Wiki (Swiss community lab): https://wiki.hackuarium.ch/w/Main_Page
Protocols, tools, and participatory research.
diyhpluswiki GitHub mirror (for the diyhpl.us content): https://github.com/kanzure/diyhpluswiki
Open Insulin Project (example GitHub repo for real biohacking projects): Search GitHub for “Open Insulin” or similar.
GOSH Community Resources https://openhardware.science/
DIYbio.org main site has a list of many other sites https://diybio.org/
Some of it is anyway. It is information that will change over time of course....
This should be in BHCB!