BioWorks 21: Automating Cell Culture Workflows and Generating Data at Scale with Jimmy Sastra

In which Dr. Jimmy Sastra, co-founder and CEO of Monomer Bio, discusses how automation can drive greater scalability, standardization, and data accessibility in complex cell culture workflows. We also chat about the importance of building killer apps and not just platforms, the fickleness of growing stem cells, the software layer behind Waymos, and Jimmy’s philosophy on building a mission-driven team. Hosted by Emma Chen.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:45) Monomer Bio

(06:00) The challenge and opportunity of complex cell workflows

(10:47) Timeline of collaborations

(11:57) Onsite automation v.s. cloud labs

(15:58) From initial interest in biology to PhD

(24:08) Building killer apps and not just platforms

(26:28) Partnership with Gingko Bioworks and Lilly Life Sciences Studio

(28:25) When to keep humans in the loop

(29:33) What makes automating biology different

(31:19) Industry trends for the next decade

(34:55) Most rewarding part of building Monomer

(37:32) Advice for listeners

Links:

Monomer Bio: https://www.monomerbio.com/