Masters of Scale Rapid Response: The promise and peril of engineering biology, w/Ginkgo Bioworks Reshma Shetty
Jun 3, 2021
Reshma Shetty, co-founder and COO of Ginkgo Bioworks, discusses the groundbreaking role her company plays in mRNA vaccine production during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the importance of responsible innovation in synthetic biology, balancing ambition with ethical considerations. The conversation delves into Ginkgo's diverse applications in food, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Shetty emphasizes creating an 'unstable equilibrium' in engineering biology to foster progress without sacrificing principles, envisioning a future shaped by biotech advancements.
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Biotech's Role
- The pandemic highlighted the importance of biotechnology.
- It showed how biotech can be a tool for fighting back against global health crises.
Ginkgo and Moderna Collaboration
- Ginkgo Bioworks collaborated with Moderna on mRNA vaccine manufacturing during the pandemic.
- Their goal was to increase scale and reduce costs, addressing the challenge of scaling mRNA vaccine production.
Pooled Testing in Schools
- Ginkgo developed a pooled testing approach for schools, simplifying sample collection.
- Each student swabs themselves, and the entire classroom's samples are tested at once, reducing costs and logistical burdens.