BioNerdette: Oh wow, algae fabrics—talk about a micro‑biological runway! So, what’s really happening is that scientists are tweaking the algae’s genetic code to over‑express a particular protein, usually a cellulose‑like polysaccharide, so the cells become like tiny, edible cotton bags. They then harvest the biomass, extract the polymer, and spin it into fibers. The trick is to keep the algae’s growth conditions stable—light intensity, CO₂ concentration, temperature—because a single fluctuation can change the polymer’s crystallinity, which in turn affects softness and breathability. And because the material is biodegradable, it’ll break down in soil or compost with no nasty microplastics, turning the whole lifecycle into a closed‑loop. It’s like giving the planet a fashion statement that literally feeds itself!