Karl and Erum bring on Dr. Alexander Titus, a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, to explore the exciting and challenging intersections of biotechnology and policy. Alexander shares his experiences from his unique journey across academia, government, and industry, diving into the role of biosecurity, the potential of synthetic biology, and the emerging convergence of tech and bio. They discuss ambitious projects like de-extincting the woolly mammoth,...

Karl and Erum sit down with Moji Karimi, co-founder of Cemvita, a company innovating in carbon conversion technology. Moji shares details of Cemvita’s journey from an ambitious vision of industrial biotechnology to solutions that turn carbon emissions into valuable products. Moji talks about the science and impact of reshaping industries like energy, mining, and aerospace, pointing out how important it is to use nature’s processes to advance sustainability. Tune in to learn about the evolving...

Rocky Graziose from The Estée Lauder Companies is here to discuss the innovative intersection of biotechnology and beauty. With a background in plant natural products chemistry, Rocky brings an insider perspective on how Estée Lauder is pushing boundaries in skincare and cosmetics. He talks about the evolution of the beauty industry and how The Estée Lauder’s Companies commitment to sustainability through biotechnological advancements like precision fermentation. From pioneering skincare...

In this milestone 100th episode, Karl and Erum look back on collaborations like the biosecurity event with Andrew Hessel and the U.S.-India Next Gen Materials event, while also acknowledging the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Erum and Karl are also joined by special guest Dan Grushkin to explore the evolving world of biotechnology and its impact on society. They talk about biosecurity, democratized DNA synthesis, and the intersection of science and...

Erum and Karl reflect on their journey of producing nearly 100 episodes over two years. They discuss the challenges of consistency, the behind-the-scenes work required, and the evolution of their podcast from a simple idea to a platform that amplifies voices in the biotech space. Highlights include their gratitude to guests and collaborators, feedback from listeners, and the growing impact of their conversations, which now extend beyond audio, into video content and live events. As they look...

Yuji Suzuki shares his journey from economics to leading a biotech company at the forefront of microbial research. He explains how bitBiome is unlocking the potential of trillions of microbes using advanced sequencing technology, and how their work could reshape industries from pharmaceuticals to sustainability. Yuji also dives into the future of biotechnology, the challenges of working with microbial data, and the importance of global collaboration. This conversation offers a clear look at...

Karl and Erum are taking us into the world of biohacking, discussing its various definitions and practices, from simple lifestyle changes to more extreme measures like genetic modification. They dig into the growing movement toward improving health, longevity, and human performance, touching on biohacking pioneers like Brian Johnson. Their conversation includes insights on the ethical and societal implications of biohacking that are really thought-provoking, as well as how technology and...

Karl and Erum welcome Christina Smolke, CEO of Antheia and Professor at Stanford University, to discuss the rapid changes happening in biotech, particularly focusing on the biohacking community and decentralized science (DCI). Christina is developing revolutionary ways to manufacture critical pharmaceuticals using biotechnology. They explore the intersection of biohacking, pharmaceuticals, and emerging technologies. A key theme is the potential of biological processes to transform traditional...

Christina Agapakis from Ginkgo Bioworks joins the conversation to explore the power of storytelling in science. She goes into the challenges scientists face when communicating their work to the public and the role effective messaging plays in shaping perceptions, especially around complex topics like GMOs and synthetic biology. Christina shares her journey and insights from her time at Ginkgo, and thoughts on how biotech can drive solutions for climate change and the future. Tune in to hear...

Erum and Karl sit down with Vega Shah from NVIDIA to explore the role of AI in healthcare and life sciences, and how it's driving major advances in drug discovery and biotechnology. Vega shares real-world examples, from lab-grown cotton to using AI to discover new proteins in the gut microbiome. She also discusses the challenges of modeling complex biological systems and how tools like generative AI are changing the way we approach these problems. This episode is a look at how cutting-edge...

Astronaut and molecular biologist Dr. Kate Rubins shares her groundbreaking work on the International Space Station, from being the first to conduct DNA sequencing in space to advancing biotechnology in a unique and challenging environment. Dr. Rubins explains how space affects biological processes, the tools being developed to study these effects, and how these advancements could revolutionize industries on Earth. Her insights into the future of space travel and exploration, including the...

Eben Bayer, founder of Ecovative, delves into the transformative power of mycelium technology and its potential to reshape industries from packaging to food production. He shares his journey from a small farm in Vermont to leading a company that pioneers sustainable materials, discussing how biology can be leveraged to create regenerative, profitable businesses. With a strong belief in the power of biology as technology, Eben explains how his innovations are not only environmentally friendly...

Karl and Erum dig into the pivotal role of bio strategy in shaping the future of consumer products and sustainability. With insights into groundbreaking innovations—from Cresalon's trauma gel gaining FDA approval to Living Ink's partnership with New Balance—this discussion explores how biotech is transforming traditional industries. We also tackle the challenges of scaling bio-manufacturing, reducing costs, and navigating regulatory landscapes, all while highlighting the critical importance...

Episode Description: Erum and Karl welcome Deniz Kent to talk about the practical and innovative ways light is being used to control cellular processes, offering new possibilities in biotechnology. From sustainable fashion to the future of biomanufacturing, they discuss topics that impact both our personal lives and the broader scientific community. Deniz shares insights on using light-sensitive proteins to revolutionize biomanufacturing, potentially lowering costs and expanding access to...

Episode Description: Join us for an exciting live recording of the Grow Everything podcast, where we sit down with Ginger Dozier of Biomason to explore how microbes could change the world. From growing bricks to building a more sustainable future, Ginger shares her incredible journey and introduces her latest venture, BIOME Consortia, which is all about harnessing the power of biology to solve big problems. Supported by sponsors like MilliporeSigma, BioLabs, NYU Langone, and IndieBio, this...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum are joined by Ari Wright from Bison VC to explore the world of biotechnology and its intersection with various industries. Ari shares her perspective on the controversial idea of the enhanced Olympics, where athletes use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision to push human limits. She discusses the potential of genetic engineering and CRISPR technology for both therapeutic and enhancement purposes and the importance of understanding...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum explore how Northern Queensland is transitioning from its historical reliance on coal mining to becoming a hub for bioeconomy. Kylie Porter, CEO of GW3 - Greater Whitsunday Alliance, shares insights on the region's rich agricultural roots, the innovative use of sugarcane in biotech, and the strategic efforts to build a sustainable future. The discussion highlights the significant role of community engagement and international collaborations in driving...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum have an informative conversation about the importance of networking. They discuss the philosophy behind building meaningful professional connections and share effective networking strategies. From insights into the concept of networking as an extension of human curiosity to tips like dividing and conquering at events, Karl and Erum give a comprehensive guide on enhancing your networking skills. They also talk about the idea of being generous and genuinely...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum discuss the fascinating world of biomanufacturing with Michele Stansfield from Cauldron. They explore the groundbreaking potential of precision fermentation and its ability to revolutionize food, fiber, and fuel production. Michele shares insights on Cauldron’s innovative hyper fermentation technology, which offers a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The discussion also touches on the company's ambitious plans to build...

Episode Description: Since it’s a holiday week, Karl and Erum are presenting a special replay of Edward Shenderovich’s episode. Edward Shenderovich, a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary in the biomanufacturing space, takes us through his journey into the heart of biotechnology and its potential to reshape industries. Edward discusses the inception of Synonym and its mission to revolutionize biomanufacturing by creating a cloud infrastructure that accelerates the path towards sustainable...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum are exploring the world of modern probiotics with Zack Abbott, co-founder of Z Biotics. They discuss the innovative approach Z Biotics takes in engineering probiotics to offer tangible benefits, specifically focusing on their flagship product designed to alleviate the unpleasant after-effects of alcohol consumption. Zack shares a look into the science behind their probiotic, explaining how it breaks down toxic byproducts in the gut, thereby improving the...

Episode Description: Michael Fischer dives into the transformative impact of decentralized science (DeSci) on research and data sharing. He discusses the evolution of scientific research with the integration of blockchain technology, emphasizing how it democratizes access and incentivizes participation through tokenization. Fischer introduces WaterBear, a platform that gamifies science by creating community-driven research projects using meme coins, offering a fresh perspective on how data...

Episode Description: Charles Dimmler joins Karl and Erum once again to discuss the innovative intersections of biotechnology and sustainability at Checkerspot. The topics talked about range from the ethical considerations of animal testing in drug development to the revolutionary applications of CRISPR in creating more efficient drugs. Charles recounts the emotional and physical journey of testing WNDR Alpine, which gives you the gist of the real-world impact of Checkerspot's...

Episode Description: Karl and Erum transport us to the year 2054, offering a vibrant and thought-provoking portrayal of the future. They discuss advancements in AI, space travel, and biotechnology, painting a picture of a world completely evolved with rapid technological and biological innovations. From moon vacations to Mars exploration, the duo discusses the drastic changes in daily life and society. They talk about rewilding, the evolution of communication devices, and the integration of...