Built with Biology: Podcast

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Did you know that we can build bricks made by bacteria, produce foods from captured carbon, cure life-threatening genetic diseases, design and grow sustainable, animal-free leathers and furs, restore polluted waterways with microbes, and even print DNA?

Take a deep dive into the science and innovators behind these technologies and hear how the future is being built with biology.

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Episodes

How Will DNA Make Our Future?

DNA powers the bioeconomy. These fundamental molecules enable us to re-program cells to produce sustainable materials and medicines. But reprogramming cells requires specific sequences of DNA that don't exist in nature--we have to make them ourselves. If that sounds easy, this episode will change your mind! Thomas Ybert, co-founder and CEO of DNA Script joins the show for a brilliant discussion on how we make DNA, what role it plays in COVID testing, producing DNA in future outbreak zones, DNA d...

Aug 24, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 5

Program a Cell, Cure a Disease: Meet the Future of Medicine

What if we could create any cell in the human body? Imagine the diseases we might treat, the bones we could heal, and the nerves we could repair. One day, we might even be able to replace blood banks. This future is much closer than you might think. Mark Kotter, the founder and CEO of bit.bio joins the show for an inspiring discussion about how breakthrough technologies could offer hope to patients with untreatable conditions and what the future of medicine could look like....

Mar 23, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 4

Deep Tech and Synthetic Biology - The Big Picture

We know life is busy - it's a challenge to keep up with the biggest trends and technologies shaping our world. So we've edited this special episode to give you the snapshot you need to understand what Deep Tech is, its role in synthetic biology, and how these technologies could build our future. On the go? No problem! Here's all you need to know in 20 minutes. From the Deep Tech Mission at Boston Consulting Group , John Paschkewitz (Partner and Associate Director) and Nico Goeldel (Project Leade...

Feb 14, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3

Meet the Future: Deep Tech and SynBio

"Deep Tech," today's hottest technology buzzwords. But what is deep tech? How does it relate to building with biology? What will it take for deep tech innovations to make a positive impact in our world? From the Deep Tech Mission at Boston Consulting Group , John Paschkewitz (Partner and Associate Director) and Nico Goeldel (Project Leader) join the show for a special look into the technological forces, mindsets, and challenges shaping our future.

Jan 25, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 2

How Do We Design Biology? Get Ready to Be Surprised!

Biology is spectacularly complex. Even when we think we know which genes produce and control which proteins, we find out there are entire sections of the genome we still don’t understand! So, what kind of mindset does it take to find the solutions to problems that have infinite answers? Patrick Westfall, Senior Director of the Microbe Group at Inscripta , joins to show to explore rational versus irrational biology design and share the tools and mindsets that can help us build more successfully w...

Jan 19, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 1

What Makes CRISPR Like a Movie Star?

CRISPR gene editing is one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century. But how does it work and what can it do? What kind of power--and responsibility--comes with the ability to edit 10,000 genes? Nandini Krishnamurthy, the VP of Microbial Business Area at Inscripta , joins the show for a vision-casting episode about what we can build with CRISPR, from sustainable food production to advanced medicines, equitable distribution of resources, and, of course, Oscar-winning movies st...

Sep 29, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 5

What Makes a Microbe a Superhero?

What gives microbes superpowers? Can we program them as easily as we do computers? What could our world look like if microbe cell factories replaced petrochemical production? Ena Cratsenburg, the Chief Business Officer of Ginkgo Bioworks , joins the show to answer these questions and explore what a world built with biology could look like. Ginkgo, the bioeconomy's original unicorn company, is leveraging its platform to give scientists creative freedom and accelerate innovation. Our planet needs ...

Sep 22, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 4

How Can We Welcome Everyone to the Bioeconomy?

The bioeconomy--the growing economy built with biology--may sound unwelcoming if you don't have a biology degree. The beauty of the bioeconomy is that we are all needed to create a sustainable future, from artists to marketers to engineers, and especially entrepreneurs. But how do we welcome everyone and inspire the next generation? In a special episode, Jaye Goldstein of Petri and Natalie Kuldell of BioBuilder share their insights on creating community, supporting women and underrepresented gen...

Sep 15, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 3

What Role Can Fragrances Play in Sustainability?

Jasmine, musk, powder fresh; all our favorite fragrances typically come from petrochemicals. These scents are everywhere in daily life, from soaps and detergents to air fresheners, makeup, varnishes, the list is almost endless. As we strive to make our everyday products sustainable, what do we do about our favorite scents? A joint team from biology companies Conagen and Sensegen is making sustainable fragrances with microbes. How are these fragrance molecules made? How are scents designed by per...

Sep 01, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Why Should Everyone Care About Biosecurity?

Biology is reshaping our future, from our medicines to our food, fuels, homes, and even clothes. But the power to engineer and re-design biology comes with significant responsibility. How can we ensure the bio-engineering tools aren't misused or create accidentally harmful materials? How can we ensure workers, our society, and our planet are all protected? In our inaugural Built with Biology Podcast episode, host Fiona Mischel speaks with James Diggans , Head of Biosecurity at Twist Bioscience ....

Aug 24, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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