From December 12-13, 2025 at Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand, the ODC25 ASEAN conference marks a pivotal moment in how we understand the relationship between science and culture. With the theme “New Science, New Culture,” this event is not merely a conventional scientific symposium, but a cultural platform where biotechnology, creativity, and public engagement converge.
Beyond Laboratory Walls
ODC25 ASEAN is built on the belief that scientific advancement and cultural expression are not separate domains but are in fact deeply interconnected. Since its establishment in 2018 in South Korea, the Organoid Development Conference (ODC) has evolved into a global platform connecting over 1,000 organizations worldwide, where scientists, artists, philosophers, and creators collaborate to shape the future of biological science.
At the heart of this integration is the Culture Room – a dynamic space where organoid science transcends laboratory walls to spark public imagination. Through carefully curated artwork, visitors journey through the fascinating story of organoids – from their historical origins to future possibilities – told not through dry textbooks but through visual narratives that captivate and inspire.
Igniting Curiosity in Young Minds
The conference places special emphasis on engaging younger audiences. An interactive organoid game transforms complex biological concepts into playful exploration, encouraging curiosity about this cutting-edge field. Meanwhile, the AFI Film Festival and KARTS Animation showcase four award-winning films that illuminate the creative possibilities when cinema meets science.
Expanding Cultural Horizons
“Ethics in Action: Building Animal-Free Futures The Animal Film as Method and Route: A New Decade of Ethical and Creative Filmmaking” session explores a new decade of ethical and creative filmmaking approaches. This program reflects ODC’s commitment to the Animal Free Initiative – an initiative supporting research without animal testing.
“Bio Fiction: Imaginations Across Science and Culture” session examines how speculative narratives help us grapple with the implications of scientific advancement, bridging imagination and innovation.
A Platform for Global Transformation
ODC25 ASEAN is more than an event – it’s a cultural movement reshaping the future of health, knowledge, and human experience. As the first regional Organoid conference in ASEAN, this event positions the region’s research community as a global leader in biomedical innovation, regulation, and collaboration.
By positioning culture not as an afterthought but as central to scientific discourse, ODC25 ASEAN creates a rare space where researchers, artists, filmmakers, and the public can engage in meaningful dialogue. This approach recognizes that truly understanding science requires not just technical knowledge, but imagination, ethics, and creative vision – the very essence of human culture.
The conference is free and open to everyone – from researchers, businesses, and policymakers to artists, designers, students, and the general public. This is an invitation to a unique experience where the boundaries between science and art blur, opening new possibilities for how we understand life and humanity’s future.
