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Why do promising discoveries sometimes get stuck between the lab bench and the real world? In this episode of Grow Everything, hosts Erum Azeez Khan and Karl Schmieder speak with Transfer AI cofounders Anne Marie Wagner and Renee Wegrzyn about the hidden steps that make scientific experiments difficult to reproduce and transfer. Drawing on their experience at Ginkgo Bioworks, DARPA and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, they explain how cameras, environmental sensors and AI can capture the practical knowledge scientists rarely write down, helping teams understand which variations matter. The conversation explores reproducibility, technology transfer, investment risk, scientific creativity and a future where better data helps researchers bring discoveries to patients and the bioeconomy. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) - AI drug discovery and the pace of biological research(00:07:00) - Meet Transfer AI cofounders Anne Marie Wagner and Renee Wegrzyn(00:14:00) - Why scientific protocols miss the details that matter(00:21:00) - How physical AI observes scientists without disrupting their work(00:28:00) - From lab observations to reproducible experiments and technology transfer(00:35:00) - Why physical execution is a biotech bottleneck(00:42:00) - Cofounder leadership and solving real customer pain(00:49:00) - Investor diligence and protecting teams from distractions(00:56:00) - Magic hands, rapid fire questions and the future of science(01:03:00) - What’s next on Grow EverythingLinks and Resources: Transyr AIRenee Wegrzyn Anna Marie WagnerTransfyr Launches Physical AI Platform for Science with $25M Seed FundingHow a former ARPA-H director’s startup is tackling AI’s ‘dumb problems’OpenAI, PerturbAI⁠, and Scripps Research used thousands of AI agents with GPT‑Rosalind to analyze existing experimental data in just 32 minutes35. Unlocking the Gene-ius of AI-Powered Biology: Teselagen's Eduardo Abeliuk 172. Generating Needles in Haystacks: Elise de Reus Designs Proteins with Cradle2. The Biotech Century with Megan PalmerGrow everything LinkedInTopics Covered: physical AI for science, AI in biology labs, lab reproducibility, scientific knowledge transfer, biotech tech transfer, lab automation, experimental protocol optimization, AI-powered lab monitoring, biomanufacturing scale-up, scientific data capture Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

What does it take to turn industrial carbon dioxide into useful chemicals at a price the market will accept? On Grow Everything, Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan speak with Max Kufner, cofounder and CEO of Again, about using gas fermentation to make acetate and other products from industrial emissions. Max explains why feedstock economics and locating production close to customers matter, what the acquisition of Genomatica brings to Again, and why real production data is essential for predicting whether a bioprocess can work at industrial scale. He also shares how customer demand, licensing, project finance, and partnerships can help move biotechnology from the lab into the real world. Before the interview, the hosts explore an AI assisted biomanufacturing class and the latest discussion around deextinction. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Chapters: (00:00:00) - Biology, public engagement, and biomanufacturing education(00:05:00) - AI agents and cell free protein experiments(00:10:00) - Deextinction, the moa, and biotechnology(00:15:00) - Max Kufner on turning carbon dioxide into chemicals(00:20:00) - From venture capital to building Again(00:26:00) - Industrial bioreactors and manufacturing at the source(00:32:00) - Financing biotechnology scale with customer partnerships(00:38:00) - Building biomanufacturing facilities in the US and Europe(00:44:00) - Climate tech quick fire: engineers, finance, and teamwork(00:50:00) - Founder takeaways: customer demand and cost parityLinks and Resources: Again Bio.Max Kufner LinkedInStartup, Again: Turning CO₂ Emissions into Carbon-negative ChemicalsAgain acquires Geno to combine AI-driven discovery with industrial biomanufacturingColossal, who de-extincted the dire wolf, now hatches chicks from artificial egg to help de-extinct moa113. Microbe Mission Possible: Noah Helman Discusses iMicrobes' Quest to Turn Waste into Wealth170. There's a Bug for That: Sophia Xu on CarbonBridge's Notebook Bioreactors102. Waste into WOW! Cemvita's Moji Karimi on Turning Carbon Problems into Golden OpportunitiesGrow everything LinkedIn Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, AI x bio, climate tech, green chemicals, sustainable manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, biotech scale-up, deep tech financing, carbon-negative products, alternative chemicals Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

Michael Wright, founder of Biomimetics International, joins Grow Everything to explain how learning from nature can reshape the way we design products, build businesses, and scale emerging industries. Drawing on decades in semiconductors and high technology, he describes biomimetics as learning from nature’s tested systems, from burr inspired Velcro to shark skin that reduces drag, while emphasizing that copying a biological function is not enough if a product cannot return safely to the biosphere. He introduces the Biosverse, nature’s third number, and generational cost of ownership as ways to account for environmental liabilities that traditional business models may overlook. The conversation explores how digital and biological systems converge, why biotech can learn from semiconductor standards and roadmaps, how AI might benefit from a more nurturing and accountable design approach, and why leaders should ask, “Do you know what you do does?” Michael’s vision is a mindset shift that brings nature into the design process before we build, then measures whether innovations can serve communities and remain compatible with the living world. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Grow Everything opening and biotech headlines, from fall foliage to food systems for Mars(00:07:00) FDA inspections, peptide manufacturing, and the importance of knowing where products come from(00:14:00) Michael Wright’s semiconductor career and the path to biomimetics(00:21:00) How digital and biological systems converge, from precision agriculture to digital water(00:28:00) The Biosverse, biosphere compatibility, and nature’s third number(00:35:00) Generational impact, executive decisions, and long term costs(00:42:00) What biotech can learn from semiconductor roadmaps, standards, and shared infrastructure(00:49:00) AI as a mom, biological sensing, and symbiotic decision making(00:56:00) Michael’s dream project: a mindset shift toward looking at nature first(01:03:00) Quick fire questions, the episode debrief, and designing data centers with nature in mindEpisode Links: Biomimetics InternationalMichael WrightThe Exponential Era by David Espindola and Michael WrightNASA Mars to Table ChallengeFall foliage tracker in NYBlack mold, bugs found at Chinese plants making GLP-1 compounding agentsCemvita and Roebling Partner to Accelerate Industrial BioSolutions From Discovery to Deployment199. Space, the Final Fermenter: Mario Maggio Brews Biology in Orbit with Ambrosia Space156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of Form133. Funding, Frameworks & Frenemies: Dr. Angela Belcher of NSCEB Gets Real on the $15B Biotech Boost Plan71. Squid Pro Quo: Tandem Repeat's Melik Demirel Reinvents Clothing with SquitexGrow everything LinkedIn Topics Covered: biomimetics, bio-inspired design, biosphere compatibility, generational cost of ownership, nature-inspired materials, biomimicry in engineering, sustainable data centers, AI and biomimicry, biomimetics industry standards, circular materials Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

At Bio Innovations in Omaha and an adjacent investor gathering in Houston, Grow Everything hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan unpack the shift reshaping the bioeconomy: scientific discovery is becoming faster and less expensive, while deployment, scale up, and durable partnerships have become the real competitive advantage. They share conversations from the conference floor on the missing middle between bench science and commercial production, the Midwest’s feedstock and infrastructure advantage, the need for early technoeconomic discipline, and how corporates can give innovators clearer demand and specification targets. From pilot facilities and downstream processing to waste to value opportunities and resilient domestic supply chains, this recap maps the practical work required to turn biological innovation into products that matter. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Halloween, food dyes, and a motel room microbiology discovery(00:05:29) The fire microbe and the promise of extremophiles for manufacturing(00:07:46) AI agents, scientific discovery, and physical laboratories(00:14:43) Bio Innovations recap: Omaha infrastructure meets Houston capital(00:18:00) Discovery is cheaper, but deployment is the whole game(00:22:24) The missing middle: pilots, ecosystems, and the valley of do(00:26:45) Business models, corporate demand clarity, and consumer framing(00:34:40) Scale up lessons: feasibility, downstream processing, and tech transfer(00:42:28) Waste to value, bioeconomic resilience, and what comes nextLinks and Resources: BioinnovationsSteve Bray - TritenIAGPhillip Crawford -RoeblingMike Glasspool - MerrickKyle Pomraning - Pacific Northwest National LabGatorade recall across 37 states in the U.S.Scientist discovered two new species of bacteria from a motel room they converted into a labIncendiamoeba cascadensis. This 'fire amoeba' pushes the limit of what's possible for complex lifeClaude discovers a novel enzyme system with CRISPR-like repeatsC5R Built a Research Lab Run by AI in 12 Weeks.164. From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at Cargill165. Biology Behind the Brands: Inside P&G’s Two-Century Story166. The Great Reformulation: Joshua Lachter Rethinks How We Make Everything at Scale102. Waste into WOW! Cemvita's Moji Karimi on Turning Carbon Problems into Golden Opportunities Topics Covered: autonomous labs, laboratory robotics, AI in biotechnology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, biological automation, data as a service, biotech infrastructure, cell engineering, programmable biology Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Genoa Ventures founder and managing director Jenny Rooke joins Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez to explore bioconvergence, the expanding frontier where biology meets AI, automation, materials science, and real world business building. Drawing on her journey from physics and genetics to venture capital, Jenny explains why durable bio based companies must pair novel science with clear customer demand, disciplined scale up, and a path to meaningful commercial value. The conversation examines lessons from early synthetic biology, the realities of biomanufacturing at scale, next generation clinical assessment tools, and why founders working between traditional tech and biotech categories need investors who understand both. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Climate Week, bioliteracy, and biology as a climate solution(00:03:00) America’s Living Library Act and the case for sampling public lands(00:07:00) State microbes, public engagement, and the future of bioliteracy(00:10:00) Erum’s biomanufacturing course and designing food safe colors(00:15:00) Introducing Jenny Rooke and Genoa Ventures(00:17:00) From physics and genetics to investing in science based companies(00:20:00) The Genoa sail: founder autonomy, trust, and avoiding fatal mistakes(00:22:00) What defines a bioconvergence company(00:24:00) Why biotechnology needs a broader frame than pharma(00:26:00) Lessons from synthetic biology’s first wave and the impact of AI(00:28:00) Matching company timelines to biology, markets, and venture returns(00:29:00) The future of clinical assessment tools and actionable health data(00:32:00) Diagnostics, consumer data, and the difference between insight and infotainment(00:34:00) Why bio based businesses can offer investors a different risk profile(00:37:00) Why industrial biotechnology companies fail and what scale up requires(00:40:00) Biomanufacturing, commercial readiness, and Genoa’s newest investment(00:42:00) What Genoa is watching across tools, biology, and manufacturing(00:45:00) Jenny’s four word credo and the founder mindset(00:48:00) Closing reflections on bioconvergence and building the bioeconomyLinks and Resources: Genoa VenturesJenny Rooke LinkedInGenoa Ventures LinkedInJPM 2026: Genoa Ventures’ Jenny Rooke on Next-Gen Clinical Assessment ToolsGraveyard report - First Bite Ventures3 States Have Official State Microbes National Security Commission of Emerging BiotechTopics Covered: bioconvergence, deep tech venture capital, synthetic biology investing, biomanufacturing, life science tools, clinical diagnostics, industrial biotech, bioeconomy Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Michael Heltzen, CEO of Exozymes, joins Grow Everything to explain how cell free biomanufacturing is opening new possibilities for natural products, nutraceuticals, and medicines. Michael shares why engineered enzymes can make high purity molecules without relying on living cells, how Exozymes moved its NCT program from discovery toward commercial manufacturing in less than two years, and why its capital light partnership model is central to scaling impact. The conversation also explores AI guided enzyme design, digital twins for manufacturing, rare cannabinoids, downstream processing, and the disciplined focus required to turn a broad biotechnology platform into real products. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Michael Heltzen and the Exozymes mission(00:05:00) Why cell free manufacturing can unlock inaccessible natural products(00:10:00) Combining molecular biology, computation, and AI guided enzyme design(00:15:00) From laboratory platform to industrial scale production(00:20:00) Commercial partnerships and the NCT market opportunity(00:25:00) Rare cannabinoids and a new toolkit for medicinal chemistry(00:30:00) The capital light licensing model for biomanufacturing(00:35:00) Downstream processing, purity, and investor skepticism(00:40:00) The future of sustainable enzyme driven chemical manufacturing(00:45:00) Key takeaways on focus, partnerships, and platform innovationLinks and Resources: eXoZymes⁠eXoZymes Awarded $2 Million NIH Grant to Advance Cannabinoid Analogs for Drug Discovery⁠eXoZymes’ Cell-Free Biomanufacturing Platform Gets Positive Feedback from Cayman Chemical⁠Michael Heltzen LinkedIn⁠eXoZymes on LinkedIn⁠129. No Cells? No Problem! eXoZymes' Michael Heltzen on the Future of Microbe-Free Biotech176. Dare to Commercialize: Damien Perriman’s eXoZymes Playbook51. Cell-Free, Problem-Free: Enzyme Alchemy with Alex Rosay at Cascade Biocatalysts85. Always Be Brewing: Continuous Fermentation with Cauldron's Michele StansfieldTopics Covered: cell-free biomanufacturing, enzyme engineering, exozymes, biosynthesis, cannabinoids, NCT (N-trans-caffeoyltyramine), synthetic biology, AI-driven enzyme design, scalable bioproduction, sustainable chemicals Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

For the 200th episode of Grow Everything, Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan talk with Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks and former chair of the US National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, about why biology is still so hard to engineer. Jason explains why a cell is the only coded substrate we have besides a computer, why the real bottleneck is tooling rather than ideas, and why Ginkgo moved from royalty based research partnerships to selling robotic hardware and lab data as a service. Using a subway, car and Waymo analogy, he separates automation from autonomy and makes the case for replacing the manual lab bench, which eats roughly 97 percent of research spending while running 40 hours out of 168. He walks through Ginkgo's Boston system of 105 robots running 24/7, new autonomous labs for MIT, Caltech, Northwestern and the University of Maryland, and the OpenAI project where GPT-5 ran 30,000 experiments a week and beat state of the art in cell free protein synthesis by 40 percent. He also lays out the policy stakes as drug discovery shifts to China, and why the day biology becomes predictably easier to engineer, biotech gets bigger than tech. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) A cell is a machine that can do a million other things(00:07:00) AI data centers, contamination, and the waste to value opportunity(00:14:00) Biosecurity, guardrails, and who is accountable for AI in biology(00:21:00) Ginkgo's mission: programming a computer you did not design(00:28:00) Why Ginkgo reset its business model from royalties to tools and data(00:34:00) Subway, car, Waymo: what an autonomous lab actually means(00:41:00) Inside Nebula: 105 robots, 24/7 lab work, and autonomous labs for MIT and Caltech(00:47:00) The end of experimental scarcity and what scientists do next(00:54:00) Offshoring biotech to China and the policy fix Jason wants(01:01:00) Simulating cells, Moore's law for biology, and the markets beyond pharmaLinks and Resources: Gingko BioworksGingko Bioworks - Automation product Jason Kelly linkedinGinkgo Bioworks Joins ARPA-H GIVE Program to Build Autonomous Manufacturing System for Individualized RNA MedicinesNational Security Commission on Emerging BiotechSingapore is building supercomputer that runs on human brain cellsWater in Wyoming data center contaminated with cupriavidus gilardii112. The Baked-In Future of Science: Nick Edwards on Potato AI’s Quest to Become Your AI Scientist5. Dreaming in Biology: Tales from the Ginkgo Bioworks Studio50. The Dye-Hard Innovator: Natsai Chieza Designs Change for the Fashion Industry and the WorldTopics Covered: autonomous labs, laboratory robotics, AI in biotechnology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, biological automation, data as a service, biotech infrastructure, cell engineering, programmable biology Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Biology may be the most important technology we take off planet, and Mario Maggio is building the hardware to prove it. The founder and CEO of Ambrosia Space joins Erum Azeez Khan and Karl Schmieder to explain why space bioprocessing has been stuck at 10 to 20 milliliters while bench scientists on Earth work at 250 milliliters and beyond, and what changes when a two and a half liter fed batch bioreactor with pH, dissolved oxygen, and total cell density sensors finally flies. Mario traces his path from aerospace propulsion and the Nova C lunar lander at Intuitive Machines to life support systems at Paragon and Axiom Space, and the realization that biology is the best CO2 scrubber, oxygen source, and chemical factory available for long duration missions where petroleum, farms, and easy resupply do not exist. The conversation digs into the engineering reality of fluids and gas in microgravity, why glass and ceramics never fly, the stainless steel and aluminum builds that replace them, the intentional and unintentional bacteria that come with building a bioreactor from scratch, and the NASA TechLeap winning CellSep continuous flow centrifuge that carries cells and secreted products into downstream processing without gravity. Mario also lays out the near term commercial case, from protein crystallization and monoclonal antibodies that behave differently in orbit to biofuels, vitamin production, medicines, and the big silver tanks that will feed astronauts because there will be no farms or cattle. He offers a candid read on artificial gravity gradients, why the Moon matters for building large vehicles in space, and why the same hardware that grows yeast for beer on Mars becomes the root of better biomanufacturing on Earth. Erum and Karl open with field notes from Bio Innovations North America in Omaha, including Midwest feedstock advantage, consortia momentum, the 30 percent of cost hiding in downstream processing, and why Smucker and Mars are actively scouting biotech innovators. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Why Biology Is the Best Commercial Case for Space(00:04:52) Bio Innovations North America and the Midwest Bioeconomy(00:07:21) Why Smucker and Mars Are Scouting Biotech Innovators(00:11:42) Inside Ambrosia Space: Bioreactors Built for Orbit(00:15:24) Scaling Past 150 Milliliters: Space Biology's Volume Problem(00:18:12) Stainless Steel, Leaks, and Why Glass Never Flies(00:21:36) NASA TechLeap and the CellSep Continuous Flow Centrifuge(00:26:08) Protein Crystals and Monoclonal Antibodies Made in Microgravity(00:31:22) Artificial Gravity, Lunar Bases, and Closing the Loop on Life Support(00:36:12) Quick Fire: Space Food Reality, HAL, and Biologics in OrbitLinks and Resources: Mario MaggioAmbrosia Space LinkedInAmbrosia Space111. Space Genes and Subway Scenes: Chris Mason on Planning Life’s Next Big Leap93. Houston, We Have a Protocol: NASA's Kate Rubins on Biotech in Space187. One Small Step for a Microbe: Lynn Rothschild’s Leap from Astrobiology to Bioengineering at NASA185. Brick Happens: Chris Maurer of Redhouse Studio Redesigns Remote Living for Earth and Mars152. Crystals in the Cosmos: Varda Rewrites Drug Formulation in MicrogravityGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: space biomanufacturing, Ambrosia Space, orbital bioreactors, microgravity biotechnology Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Chef and entrepreneur Pierre Thiam joins Grow Everything to explain how fonio, a resilient ancient grain from West Africa, can become a platform for biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, food security, and farmer prosperity. Pierre traces his journey from studying physics and chemistry to discovering the kitchen as a larger system connecting culture, health, ecology, and economics. He shares why fonio is nutritionally dense, gluten free, drought resistant, fast cooking, and versatile, as well as how Yolélé is building aggregation centers and modern processing infrastructure while keeping cultivation knowledge and ownership with smallholder farming communities. The conversation explores how biotechnology can complement biodiversity, why flavor must lead climate friendly food adoption, how underutilized crops can create clean label ingredients and new commercial markets, and why food can serve as a powerful tool for diplomacy and cultural understanding. For founders, scientists, investors, and builders in the bioeconomy, Pierre offers a human centered model of innovation that begins with nature, respects generational knowledge, and uses technology to unlock solutions that have been in front of us all along. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Why flavor must lead sustainable food adoption(00:07:00) Artificial intelligence for science and protein design(00:14:00) Pierre Thiam connects cooking, chemistry, culture, and diplomacy(00:21:00) What fonio tastes like and why chefs love its versatility(00:28:00) Scaling fonio through farmer centered supply chains and global markets(00:35:00) Human centered design for West African farming communities(00:42:00) Delicious first: the strategy behind climate friendly food adoption(00:49:00) Biodiversity, forgotten crops, and the future of food security(00:56:00) How biotechnology and local knowledge can work together(01:02:00) Building healthier diets and stronger farming communitiesLinks and Resources: Chef Pierre ThiamTeranga - Senegalese RestaurantYolélé FoodsThe Fonio CookbookChief Pierre Thiam Instagram197. What’s in Your Cart? A Grocery Store Walkthrough of Next-Gen Food Innovation196. Beyond the Red Tape: Greg Jaffe on Policy as an Accelerator for Bio-InnovationNew Evidence points to ‘Ghost DNA’Claude opens 10,000 free seats to scientistsDavid Kong's class - How To Grow Almost AnythingBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: Fonio, West African cuisine, sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture, food biodiversity, underutilized crops, food diplomacy, Bambara groundnuts, climate-resilient crops, Yolélé Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Food technology is moving from farms and petrochemicals into bioreactors, fungi, engineered crops, and circular feedstocks. In this Grow Everything highlights episode, Erum Azeez and Karl Schmieder visit six stops across the grocery store to explore sweet proteins from Oobli, fermentation derived colorants from MycoFutures and Chromologics, the antioxidant rich purple tomato from Norfolk Healthy Produce, fungi based proteins from The Better Meat Co. and MyForest Foods, sargassum derived ingredients from Origin by Ocean, and the hard commercial work of getting emerging products onto retail shelves. For founders, scientists, investors, and builders across synthetic biology and sustainable materials, the central lesson is clear: fermentation is manufacturing, environmental problems can become valuable feedstocks, and biology wins when performance, taste, branding, and price are better for the customer. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Food technology innovations hidden across the grocery store(00:01:57) Why fermentation should be understood as manufacturing(00:03:02) Oobli sweet proteins replace sugar with tiny amounts of protein(00:04:35) Fermentation creates powerful natural colors for food brands(00:06:20) The purple tomato brings biotechnology into the produce aisle(00:08:11) The Better Meat Co. grows nutrient rich mycoprotein in bioreactors(00:09:54) MyForest Foods turns oyster mushroom mycelium into bacon(00:11:15) Origin by Ocean transforms invasive sargassum into useful ingredients(00:12:34) Startup CPG explains what gets emerging brands onto shelves(00:13:50) Why biology must compete on taste, price, branding, and performanceLinks and Resources: 22. Sweet Dreams Are Made of Proteins: Oobli's Ali Wing180. Fungi in Full Color: Ricky Cassini Reimagines Dye at Michroma181. Can Hue Believe It? Gerit Tolborg’s Quest for Pure Color at Chromologics33. Purple Reign, A Purple Tomato with a Genetic Twist, Nathan Pumplin of Norfolk Healthy Produce157. (Thanksgiving Replay) Meat the Future: How Paul Shapiro is Brewing Superfoods at Better Meat Co.126. Sizzling Success: Eben Bayer of MyForest Foods on Scaling Mycelium Magic175. Seaweed Is the New Oil: Mari Granström Builds Origin by Ocean167. From Scrappy to Scalable: Daniel Scharff Grows Startup CPGBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: Food technology is moving from farms and petrochemicals into bioreactors, fungi, engineered crops, and circular feedstocks. In this Grow Everything highlights episode Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Biotech is moving fast, but regulation, public trust, and infrastructure still shape how quickly new ideas reach the market. In this episode of Grow Everything, Greg Jaffe joins Karl Schmieder to explore the regulatory future of the bioeconomy, drawing on Greg’s experience in environmental law, consumer advocacy, and as the USDA’s chief regulatory officer. They discuss why founders need to think about regulatory strategy early, how production methods, product claims, and intended use can dramatically change the path through agencies like USDA, EPA, and FDA, and why clear oversight can help build the trust emerging technologies need to scale. Greg and Karl also examine the regional nature of biomanufacturing, the importance of rural infrastructure and local partnerships, and why the future of the bioeconomy will require coordinated policy, stronger market demand, international access, and regulatory pathways that support innovation while protecting public confidence. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Intro: Moderna cancer vaccine news, Sargassum in Miami, and K18’s viral hairball activation(00:13:00) Greg Jaffe’s path from environmental law to biotech policy(00:16:30) Why the coordinated framework for biotechnology still matters(00:20:00) What biotech startups need to understand about USDA, EPA, and FDA(00:25:15) How claims, intent, and language can change a regulatory pathway(00:28:15) Why public trust is essential for biomanufactured food and biotech products(00:31:30) How biotech regulation differs in the United States, Africa, and Southeast Asia(00:35:20) Why biomass and biomanufacturing are inherently local(00:38:00) Which bio based sectors may be ready to scale first(00:42:20) The role federal policy can play in making bio based products the defaultLinks and Resources: Greg JaffeJaffe Policy Consulting LLCU.S. Department of AgricultureBioPreferred Program - USDAWhat is it like to be a cucumber? - Mike LevinThe Merck/Moderna cancer vaccine: How does it work and what are potential barriers to wide use?Miami faces worsening seaweed problem as piles of algae wash up on beachesSPOTTED K18 Hair: a giant hairball rolling across NYCBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: USDA regulation, FDA food regulation, GRAS process, cultivated meat regulation, precision fermentation, food safety policy, bioeconomy policy, agricultural biotechnology, ultra-processed foods Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Industrial biotechnology has enormous potential to create resilient supply chains, high performance ingredients, and a more sustainable bioeconomy, but good science alone is not enough. In this episode of Grow Everything, Karl and Erum speak with Olivier Rolland about the economic and industrial realities of scaling biology. Drawing on his experience across Michelin, TotalEnergies, Toulouse White Biotechnology, and L’Oréal, Olivier explains why biotech ventures must align sustainability, performance, cost, and customer expectations from the beginning. The conversation explores how techno economic analysis, early process constraints, industrial partnerships, standardization, and supportive policy can reduce risk and move promising molecules from the laboratory into commercial production. Olivier also discusses the biomanufacturing investment gap in Europe, the importance of resilient value chains, the limits of direct fossil replacements, and the opportunity to develop new molecules that deliver the same or better functions by design. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00): Music festivals, Mike Levin, and consciousness at every scale(00:07:00): Biotech news, Houston biomanufacturing, and the Michelin Guide analogy(00:14:00): Genome astrology, ingredient transparency, and food regulation(00:21:00): Olivier Rolland on L’Oréal, Scope 3 emissions, water, and resilient supply chains(00:28:00): Finding the sweet spot between performance, economics, and sustainability(00:35:00): Techno economic analysis, retrofit constraints, and industrial partnerships(00:42:00): Europe’s scale up funding gap and the emerging EU biotech framework(00:49:00): Coalitions, fragmented value chains, and practical commercialization(00:56:00): What sustainable aviation fuel teaches beauty about market pull(01:03:00): Isofunctional molecules, biotech myths, duckweed, and rapid scale upLinks and Resources: L'Oreal Advanced Biotech for SustainabilityEp. 156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of Form"What's it like to be a Cucumber" New York Magazine article about Mike LevinBMS picks Texas for new $2.3B manufacturing campusBio-AI is All Atlases and Nowhere to Go by Jake Wintermute and American WetwareBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: biomanufacturing, industrial biotechnology, sustainable materials, green chemistry, biotechnology commercialization, scope 3 emissions, defossilization, sustainable beauty, bio-based ingredients, bioeconomy Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Joshua Britton, founder and CEO of Debut, joins Erum Azeez Khan and Karl Schmieder to explain why the future of molecular creation belongs to AI and biotechnology. Joshua shares how watching biologists create complex natural molecules in days inspired his shift from traditional chemistry and shaped Debut’s vertically integrated model for discovering, manufacturing, formulating, and commercializing high performance beauty ingredients. The conversation explores why technical breakthroughs alone do not build durable biotech businesses, how consumer demand and measurable performance should guide discovery, and why formulation, supply chains, scientific communication, and brand education are essential to commercialization. Joshua also describes how Debut uses computational models to screen vast chemical spaces, validates promising candidates in the lab, balances fast internal innovation with longer corporate partnerships, and prepares brands for regulatory changes affecting familiar cosmetic ingredients. For founders, scientists, investors, and operators building the bioeconomy, this episode offers a practical playbook for turning biological innovation into products consumers understand, trust, and choose. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Biology, beauty, and the battle between performance and chemistry(00:07:00) Bio dyes, consumer perception, and why color changes experience(00:14:00) Joshua Britton’s path from organic chemistry to biotechnology(00:21:00) Why Debut chose vertical integration and consumer led discovery(00:28:00) Formulation failures that reshaped Debut’s commercial strategy(00:35:00) Balancing startup speed with global beauty partnerships(00:42:00) Regulatory pressure and the opportunity for new biological ingredients(00:49:00) Scientific communication, clinical proof, and brand adoption(00:56:00) What it takes to move biotechnology into the mass market(01:02:00) Key lessons on performance, AI, communication, and commercializationLinks and Resources: Debut BiotechDye vs No Dye Doritos Cheetos Taste Test on YoutubeDye vs No Dye Doritos Cheetos Taste Test on LinkedInNew imaginary color, "Olo"BioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: biotech beauty, synthetic biology beauty, AI ingredient discovery, biomanufacturing, vertically integrated biotech, beauty innovation, skincare ingredients, cosmetic formulation, consumer biotech, premium skincare Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Nick Milne, founder of Octarine Bio, joins Grow Everything to unpack how biology can reshape the future of color. In this episode, Nick explains why synthetic dyes have dominated textiles for more than a century, why sustainability alone is not enough to drive adoption, and how Octarine is building bio based pigments that can compete on performance, price, and scale. The conversation explores the environmental and human health problems tied to petrochemical dyes, especially azo dyes used in polyester, while showing how precision fermentation can create high strength pigments that work as drop in replacements for existing dye house workflows. Nick also shares how Octarine thinks about scale up, regulatory pressure in Europe, investor expectations, product development, and the practical realities of bringing biotech products into old and highly cost sensitive industries. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Nick previews Octarine’s high strength pigment platform(00:00:23) Karl and Erum open with science policy, AI, biosecurity, and discovery in nature(00:12:18) Introducing Nick Milne and Octarine Bio’s mission to rewrite color with biology(00:14:03) Why biology can outperform chemistry in rare but powerful commercial use cases(00:16:21) The slow shift from petrochemical dyes to bio based alternatives in textiles(00:18:31) What Pure Palette looks like as a drop in replacement for synthetic dyes(00:20:13) Octarine’s color pipeline, from purple and black to green, blue, red, and yellow(00:21:39) How stronger pigments create a path toward price parity for textile customers(00:28:13) Why European regulation may accelerate sustainable color adoption(00:31:15) Scale up, consistency, azo dyes, and lessons for biotech foundersLinks and Resources: Octarine BioOctarine Bio - PurePaletteNick Milne LinkedInOctarine Bio secures €5M to scale bio-based pigmentsGinkgo Bioworks and Octarine Bio Partnership Achieves Initial Success in Advancing Sustainable Dye ProductionScience, A New Golden AgeKristin Ellis’ Substack commentary on Science, A New Golden AgeNeuromancer Apple TV trailerA new species of Colobus monkey from the Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of CongoBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingGrow Everything LinkedInTopics Covered: Octarine Bio, bio-based pigments, synthetic dye replacement, sustainable textile dyes, fermentation-derived colors, metabolic engineering, azo dye alternatives, textile color sustainability, precision fermentation pigments, sustainable fashion materials Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media

Have you ever wondered why the color in your clothes can be so harmful to the environment? In this episode of the Grow Everything Podcast, Karl and Erum continue their BioDye series with Roya Aghighi, founder of Lite-1. Roya grew up in her mother’s fashion studio and later worked in the industry testing new materials, but she decided to leave after seeing the pollution caused by traditional dyeing methods. She explains how Lite-1 uses engineered microbes to produce colorful pigments through fermentation, beginning with black, one of the most difficult and damaging colors to make sustainably. Roya also discusses why natural variation in biology can be useful rather than a problem, and why the biggest challenge facing biological dyes may be getting brands and investors to share the risks of developing them. She predicts that color could eventually become an important tool for tracking a garment throughout its life. Before the interview, Karl and Erum also discuss radiation-loving microbes, cuts to pathogen testing, and organisms designed with the help of computers. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Biology as a technology and why textile dye is so harmful(00:05:00) Microbe expeditions, Bikini Atoll, and a Cyclospora outbreak(00:10:30) Cuts to pathogen monitoring and organisms designed with computers(00:16:40) Meet Roya Aghighi, from growing up in a fashion studio to founding a biotech company(00:22:45) How Lite-1 uses fermentation to create a more sustainable black dye(00:28:30) Why biological variation can be useful information(00:34:30) Focusing on performance, testing, and regeneration instead of sustainability alone(00:40:30) The challenges of cost, scale, and shared risk in the biological dye market(00:47:00) Product standards, traceability, and the next premium opportunity in fashion(00:52:00) Quick-fire questions and final thoughts from the hostsLinks and Resources: Lite-1 Bio Roya Aghighi177. Dye Another Day (REPLAY): The New Way to Color Textiles with Colorifix's Orr Yarkoni178. Pretty in Pigments: Jesse Adler Colors the Future with Pitri180. Fungi in Full Color: Ricky Cassini Reimagines Dye at Michroma181. Can Hue Believe It? Gerit Tolborg’s Quest for Pure Color at ChromologicsThe Next 500 years - Chris MasonBioAstraGrow Everything LinkedInBioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow EverythingTopics Covered: biological dyes, microbial color production, sustainable black dye, textile dye pollution, fermentation-based colorants, bio-based textile dyes, regenerative fashion, traceable garment dyes, synthetic dye alternatives, Lite-1 Bio Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by: Amplafy Media