Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Welcome to the latest episode of Grow Everything, where we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of soil health and the incredible power of engineering organisms. Our hosts Karl and Erum are joined by the amazing Nicole Richards, a 28-year veteran in the chemical space and CEO of Allonnia. Nicole shares her valuable insights on how biology can be harnessed to solve some of our biggest challenges and transform waste into valuable resources. We discuss the exciting new lab in Brooklyn, which has been generously funded by city and state money, as well as sustainable birthday boxes and event swag made from bio-based materials. Lastly, we learn about Allonnia's groundbreaking work in extracting rare earths from mine waste sites and using biology to treat contaminants. Tune in to hear from a true expert and discover how you can get involved in this exciting field!  Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered:  00:00:00 - "Waste Is A Failure of Imagination": Exploring The Need For Innovative Solutions  00:03:23 - The Role of Biotech Companies in Waste Management and Habits Change  00:05:49 - Brooklyn's New Lab: Investing in Garbage and Biotech for a Cleaner Future  00:11:37 - Federal Regulations: The Need for Cleanup of Unhealthy Practices  00:15:58 - Soil Contamination Analysis: Unpacking The Complexities  00:23:07 - From Chemical Engineering To Biotech: Leveraging The Benefits Of High Throughput Automation  00:25:51 - Chemical Companies Investing In Biotech To Solve Environmental Problems  00:30:44 - Waste As A Resource: A New Consciousness And Innovative Solutions  00:37:32 - Exploring The Impact Of Landfills And Waste On Society's Health And Wellbeing  00:41:32 - Nicole's Story: Appreciating Allonnia's Sustainable Approach To Waste Management  00:43:53 - Regenerative farming: Probiotic for soil health  Episode Links:  Nicole Richards on LinkedIn  Allonnia's Website  Wall-E movie Donate to Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief: Direct Relief Disaster Philanthropy Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

Episode Description: This week on "Grow Everything," the hosts delve into the world of synthetic biology with guest John Cumbers, a tech background professional and entrepreneur with a passion for starting a biotech company. John hails from England and is married to a Malaysian. During the show, the team discusses the exciting possibilities of engineering bacteria for various applications, such as cleaning teeth without the need for traditional dental hygiene practices, and revenue models that leverage subscription-based models. They also touch on the crucial role of innovation in the field and the impact of monopolies on progress. The episode concludes with a viewing of "Synthetic Biology," a 2-minute video by Vasil Hnatiuk that provides a vivid depiction of the limitless potential of the field. Join the "Grow Everything" team for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of synthetic biology. Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder an Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered: 00:00 - Engineering A Better Smile 00:30 - Introduction To Grow Everything 05:02 - Reflections on Ten Years of Biotech Conferences 07:35 - The Inspiring Story Behind the Birth of SynBioBeta 10:19 - The Intersection of Genes, Proteins, and Biotech 14:15 - The Battle for Ethical Fashion 17:35 - Can $250 Million Make Engineering Easier and More Accessible? 19:41 - Discovering the Power of Digital Buddhism 22:17 - The Human Instinct to Create and Innovate 26:24 - Breaking the Chains of Monopolies 28:45 - Exploring the Potential for Consumer Goods, Food, and Healthcare 32:44 - Startups on the Global Stage 35:30 - Exploring the Possibilities of Distributed Science and Synthetic Biology 38:38 -  A Look at the Progress and Challenges of Synthetic Biology 42:52 - A Triumph of Diversity 44:37 - Diversity in Science Episode Links: John's LinkedIn SynBioBeta What's Your Bio Strategy? Unnatural Selection on Netflix The Network State book Video: Synthetic Biology: a vision of the future Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

In the latest episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl and Erum welcome guest Shelby Newsad, a venture capitalist at Compound VC and a graduate of the University of Cambridge where she studied Bioscience Enterprise and Philosophy. Karl and Erum discuss the thriving biotech industry in New York City and the impact of Indie Bio on the state. Shelby sheds light on the exciting new companies being formed, tackling diverse challenges in the biotech field such as hormone monitoring for women and veterinary drugs utilizing cannabinoids. Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered: 00:00:00 Uncovering the Vital Role of Petrochemicals in Shaping Our Planet and Health  00:04:07 A Deep Dive into Biotechnology with a NY Insider  00:09:01 Moving Beyond Automation: A Broader View of the Biotech Industry  00:10:29 Investing in Protein Degradation: A Pathway to Change and Better Health  00:16:45 Balancing Opportunities and Risks in Consumer Biotechnology  00:22:13 An Insider's Perspective on the NYC Biotech Scene after Six Months  00:26:28 The Power of Early-stage Investment in Biotech Companies  00:27:54 Building a Complementary Business Through Strategic Investments  00:33:26 Fermentation's Role in the Future of Consumer Biology  00:37:55 Celebrating Brilliance: An Interview with Cambridge Grad Shelby on Biotechnology Episode Links: Shelby Newsad's LinkedIn Shelby's Substack Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media Topics: synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, policy, community, science education, biotech, life sciences, community biolabs, bioliteracy

On this episode of Grow Everything, Karl and Erum explore the endless possibilities of biotechnology by reviewing the first season of the podcast. They discuss biotechnology's potential to address climate change and how the industry demonstrated its ability to adapt and deliver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Karl shares insights from his recent trip to Boston, where he met with clients and friends. You will hear about some of the upcoming guests in the next season. Finally, Karl and Erum express their gratitude to their listeners and continue to encourage growth in all aspects. Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder an Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered: 00:00:00 - Unlocking the Potential of Biotechnology: Examining the Value of Biologics 00:01:26 - Biotech and Climate Tech: Innovative Solutions to Address Climate Destabilization 00:04:16 - Climate Change and its Impact on Lake Ecosystems 00:05:18 - Investigating the Role of Synthetic Biology in Developing Countries 00:09:36 - Iowa: A Biotech Hub Fueled by Corn Waste 00:10:55 - Discovering the World of Biotechnology Outside of Biopharma 00:12:56 - Talent in Tech and Biotech: A Booming Opportunity 00:13:29 - Mid-Career Professionals in Biotech: Exploring New Opportunities 00:15:51 - Misconceptions and Negative Representations of Synthetic Biology and Biotech in the Media 00:18:01 - Understanding Biotechnology Through Cultural Perspectives Episode Links: Shara Ticku LinkedIn https://www.c16bio.com/ Axel Gómez-Ortigoza Linkedin Alexis Gómez-Ortigoza Linkedin  Polybion Website Paul Freemont LinkedIn Synbicite Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

In the latest episode of "Grow Everything," hosts Erum and Karl are joined by renowned bioscience expert, Paul Freemont, to discuss the advancements and opportunities in the field of synthetic biology and biotechnology. Over the past five years, we've seen significant progression in this realm, particularly in terms of educational programs being implemented at universities across the globe. Also, there's been a push towards collaboration between rural and urban areas to create distributed manufacturing systems. Additionally, the integration of other disciplines such as art and design has played a crucial role in driving innovation forward. It is crucial for investors to educate themselves on the vast opportunities within this field. Furthermore, governments should provide incentives such as tax breaks to companies working in this space. In addition, technology has been utilized to reconnect with nature in a more sustainable way. The progress made in synthetic biology and biotechnology over the past five years is undeniable, and the future looks bright with many exciting possibilities on the horizon. Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered: Synthetic biology has a wide range of potential applications, including biofuels, air purification, and food and material production Advancements in AI communication have given us a head start in understanding and utilizing synthetic biology. The UK has seen significant growth in synthetic biology research since 2015. The maturity of the synthetic biology field has led to exciting entrepreneurial opportunities. Despite some progress, we still struggle with our dependence on petrochemicals. Understanding the language of life sciences is essential for further progress in synthetic biology. Exciting developments in bio-design and the use of biological materials as a design tool. Innovations in architecture that combat pollution, such as the work of Suzanne Lee. Building relationships through synthetic biology in Kenya and Ethiopia. The importance of incorporating biotechnology education into curricula at all levels. Episode Links: Paul Freemont LinkedIn Bio on Paul Freemont Synbicite Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media Topics: synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, policy, community, science education, biotech, life sciences, community biolabs, bioliteracy

Beth Tuck from Genspace discusses the benefits of community labs for biotech. Topics include creating performance fibers, building intellectual property, and fostering creativity and diversity in science education. The podcast also explores hands-on learning, addressing bio illiteracy, promoting biliteracy in biotech, and partnerships for accessible biotech education.

Episode Description:  In this episode of Grow Everything, Alexis discusses the challenges and benefits of scaling a biotech product in the leather industry. He shares how his company, Polybion, has strong partnerships with leather manufacturers that enable them to rapidly prototype new products. Alexis also talks about their facility in Ensenada, which is powered by solar energy and recycles water for use in growing batches of their biotech product. He explains that this product is not meant to replace traditional animal leather, but rather offers similar performance for up to 70% of the market. Additionally, Alexis discusses the possibility of hiring employees from abroad and working remotely, as well as the potential for using synthetic biology to create bio materials and materials for use in space or other planets.  Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating?  Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything  Topics Covered:  00:00:00 Focus On Scale And Yield: The Brothers' Visionary Approach to Biotech Production  00:04:14 Growing Up Entrepreneurs: A Family's Experience in the Biotech Industry  00:07:50 Investor Pushes For Leather Application With Microbial Technology  00:13:08 Exploring The 200-year-old Leather Tradition In Leon, Mexico and Its Potential for Biotech Advancements  00:18:47 Exploring Remote Hiring And Working In San Miguel for Biotech Companies  00:25:25 Creating A New Textile: Comparing Performance Of Animal Leather And Biotech Leather Alternatives  00:27:38 Exploring Synthetic Biology For Materials And BioMaterials Production 00:33:13 Leather Industry Worries Over Potential Shift towards Biotech Leather  00:35:14 Leather Industry's Resistance To Change and Adoption of Biotech Materials  00:40:14 The Beauty Of Local Organic Waste: Crafting Leather From Microbes Using Sustainable Practices  00:42:35 Material Used For Liquid Leggings and Its Potential for Biotech Production  Episode Links:  Alexis Gómez-Ortigoza Linkedin  Polybion Website  Episode Transcript Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Topics: bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, biomaterials, leather, leather industry, sustainability, circular economy, waste management, climate technology, startup, scalability, capitalism 2.0, microcosmos

Episode Description: Polybion is a company that produces nano cellulose, a biomaterial made by bacteria, for use in textiles and other industries. The company has built the first manufacturing plant for bacterial scale in the world for textile applications and is working on scaling production to meet the demand for millions of square feet of the material per year. Polybion is targeting brands that are interested in using the material as an alternative to leather and plastic, and is focused on making its facility a zero-waste operation that runs on solar power and reuses water. According to co-founder Axel Gómez-Ortigoza, biomaterials will start being used commercially in specific industries within the next 3-5 years and will see widespread adoption in the next 10 years. After 30 years, he predicts that biomaterials will become the standard, with more than 80% market share across different industries. He also believes that biotechnology will be used to create ultra-local, self-sustaining systems in cities of the future, which will be necessary for colonizing other planets like Mars. ON THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: 00:00:00 Lack Of Understanding Of DNA: A Potential Danger 00:00:30 Opening Remarks from Karl and Erum 00:06:29 Exploring Nano Cellulose Production For Textile Applications 00:12:17 Creating A Meta Material For Sustainable End Of Life Cycle: A Palette Of Possibilities 00:15:59 The Impact Of Leather And Meat Production On The Environment 00:22:07 Recruiting Scientists And Engineers For Reinvention 00:25:33 Challenges Of DNA Understanding In The Biotech Industry 00:29:59 The Interconnectedness Of Macro And Micro Cosmoses 00:34:21 Closing Thoughts with Karl and Erum Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts karl schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics: bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, biomaterials, leather, leather industry, sustainability, circular economy, waste management, climate technology, startup, scalability, capitalism 2.0, microcosmos Episode Links: Episode Transcript Axel Gómez-Ortigoza Linkedin Polybion Website Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon

Cas Smith is the Director of Creative Marketing at Ginkgo Bioworks. He helps to make synthetic biology accessible to more people in a variety of industries. On this episode, Cas shares with Erum and Karl how synthetic biology is already making an impact on our world and also how Ginkgo plans to expand that footprint by informing and engaging other industries like pharmaceuticals and government. Cas also covers different ways that synthetic biology can help various sectors as well as what problem he’d tackle first if he was starting a synthetic biology startup. In this episode you’ll learn 00:00 - Introduction 00:58 - The background and history of Ginkgo 03:45 - What “Grow Everything” means to Cas Smith 04:48 - Helping everyday people understand the power of synthetic biology 07:49 - Relating synthetic biology to the pharmaceutical industry 11:17 - The challenges Ginkgo faces communicating to a broad audience. 13:03 - The types of companies that synthetic biology can benefit 16:50 - How self-programming uses genes to produce specific proteins, enzymes, or molecules 18:25 - How biobricks are used to assemble larger “circuits” that perform a specific function 19:17 - The different teams and functions within Ginkgo 23:39 - Why Cas is excited about exposing new people to the potential of synthetic biology 28:57 - The reason young people and kids are important to the adoption and evolution of synthetic biology 31:50 - The different companies that Ginkgo supports Episode Links: Press - Ginkgo Bioworks Sumitomo Corporation Bolt Threads Aldevron: Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Topics: bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, biotech platform, platform technology, biotech ideas, creative communication, marketing, science education, science communication, New York Biotech, New Bio City, Genspace

DNA stores information. Ellen and the team at Aanika Biosciences are using a unique technique to label food with barcodes programmed into DNA fragments housed in spores that are sprayed on produce. Ellen also shares her love for biotech, science communication and why she started community biotech labs. Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics: synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, policy, community, education, biotech, life sciences, bioeconomy, biomanufacturing In this episode you will learn: 00:01:45 Will 'no Code' Biology Revolutionize the Field of Biology? 00:04:11 Tracking and Tracing Through Supply Chains: Applying Biology to Revolutionize the Process 00:05:35 Unlocking the Secrets Of DNA: Exploring the Potential of Using DNA As a Storage Device 00:06:06 Unlocking the Secrets Of DNA: Exploring the Possibilities of Epigenetics to Correct 00:06:17 Modern Science Unlocks the Secrets Of DNA: Unlocking the Recipe Book for Proteins 00:06:47 Scientists Unlock New Possibilities for Storing Data In DNA 00:08:37 Spy Uses DNA-encoded Fingerprints to Send Secret Messages to The Moon 00:09:39 Craig Venter Pioneers New Way of Signing Artwork with Synthetic DNA 00:10:07 Scientist Encodes Name and Fineman Quote in DNA Barcode for Rapid Information 00:14:01 Revolutionary Technique for Tracing Produce Contamination to Its Origin 00:14:31 Finding Needles in A Haystack: Uncovering Short Strands of DNA 00:15:25 Engineering Inert DNA Barcodes: Ensuring Safety and Security of Short DNA Sequences 00:15:55 One-way Trip: Scientists Create Non-living Product Through Sporulation Process 00:18:04 Biotech Company Achieves Success with Help from Leafy Greens Industry 00:18:30 Uncovering the Invisible: Exploring the Conceptual and Physical Nature Of DNA 00:19:01 Unlocking the Mystery of Global Location Numbers: A New Way to Trace the Origin of Products 00:22:11 Engineering Barcodes into Bacteria: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in DNA Technology 00:22:34 New Spore Solution Offers More Durable Option for Leafy Greens and Produce Industry Episode Links: LinkedIn Aanika Biosciences Biotech without Borders Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Topics: bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, community, education, biotech, life sciences, insurance, farming, agriculture, produce, barcodes Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media