Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Karl and Erum welcome Dr. Chris Mason. He’s a professor of genomics, physiology, and biophysics, as well as co-founder / COI of BiotiaNYC, Ursa Bio, and Onegevity. Chris will take you on a journey from the mysteries of space genomics to the hidden worlds of Earth's microbiomes. He discusses the intersection of advanced biology and space exploration, diving into his work with NASA’s twin study, the possibilities of planetary engineering, and his fascination with unknown DNA found even in urban subways. Chris also talks about how the convergence of ancient biological knowledge and cutting-edge technology could redefine humanity's future, both on Earth and beyond. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Spark of Science and Fresh Starts 00:01:23 - The Biotech Buzz in San Francisco 00:03:37 - Blockchain Meets Biology 00:07:45 - 2025’s Game-Changers: Microbes and Mars 00:08:52 - Into the Unknown: Dr. Chris Mason’s Journey 00:12:29 - Space’s Genetic Surprises 00:15:55 - Portable Labs Orbiting Earth 00:21:58 - Hidden Worlds Underfoot: Urban Microbes 00:32:19 - Tokyo’s Microbial Enigma 00:33:08 - The Peanut Paradox and Immune Myths 00:35:56 - Singular Cells in Vast Ecosystems 00:36:46 - From Genes to Blueprints: Synthetic Biology 00:47:31 - Terraforming at Planetary Scale 00:50:45 - Commercial Space Odysseys 00:52:53 - The Biology of Tomorrow: Dreams of Terraforming 00:55:59 - Wrapping Up with Visionaries Episode Links: The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds by Chris Mason  Two New Space Planes DeSci Market Capitalization  Chris Mason Lab Twins Study - Astronaut genomics MetaSub  Among New York Subway’s Millions of Riders, a Study Finds Many Mystery Microbes Extreme Microbiome Project Colossal Biosciences Topics Covered:  space genomics, urban microbiomes, dna discovery, planetary engineering, biotechnology trends, genetic engineering, synthetic biology tools, microbiome exploration Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠ Email: [email protected] Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum give us a peek into their outlook for 2025, discussing biotech trends, the rise of decentralized science, and the convergence of AI with biology. They talk about the thawing of the "biotech winter," the potential risks of a new bird flu pandemic, and exciting innovations in quantum biology and drug discovery. Their conversation also touches on how waste can become a resource in biomanufacturing, the future of microbiome engineering, and the growing visibility of biotech in mainstream media. Tune in to hear Karl and Erum set the stage for an exciting year ahead in the world of biotech and beyond​. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00:00 – The Mushroom That Might Save Us All 00:00:15 – A Slightly Nasal New Year Kickoff 00:01:30 – Bird Flu: The Pandemic Alarm We're Ignoring 00:04:43 – Decentralized Science: Funding the Future with Tokens 00:08:16 – AI, Quantum Biology, and Drug Discovery Breakthroughs 00:11:36 – Turning Trash into Treasure: Biomanufacturing's Next Frontier 00:14:12 – Microbiomes: Tiny Giants in Biotech's Future 00:16:14 – Biotech Goes Mainstream: Ads, Cartoons, and Pop Culture 00:19:54 – 2025 Awaits: A Year of Big Ideas and Bold Moves Episode Links: Spore Token   ARPA-H Vitalia - Join today!  Vitalia Summer School Program - Enroll today! Cemvita  Polybion Head & Shoulders x NFL scalp microbiome commercial Nike Stairs commercial American Dad gene editing episode Common Side Effects on Adult Swim Topics Covered:  2025 outlook, decentralized science, quantum biology, longevity biotech, waste to value, waste as a resource, biomaterials, bioeducation, microbiome Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠ Email: [email protected] Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum welcome Niklas Anzinger, the visionary founder of Vitalia, a decentralized city aimed at revolutionizing biotech and longevity. Niklas discusses the need for a more efficient drug development process, proposing a shift toward safety trials and medical reciprocity that could drastically shorten the time it takes to bring life-saving therapies to market. He talks about how Vitalia serves as a hub for biotech innovation, where companies can thrive outside traditional bureaucratic constraints. Niklas shares his ideas on medical freedom and the importance of allowing individuals to make informed choices about their health. He critiques the paternalistic nature of current healthcare systems, advocating for a more empowering approach that encourages personal responsibility and informed decision-making. Niklas believes that by creating a culture of innovation and flexibility, Vitalia can set new standards in healthcare, ultimately improving patient outcomes and accelerating scientific advancements. As Karl and Erum wrap up the episode, they express their excitement about the potential impact of Niklas’s vision—not just for Vitalia, but for the global landscape of biotech and longevity. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠ Chapters: 00:00:00 The Time Machine: Year-End Reflections 00:00:45 The Alchemy of Biomanufacturing: International Insights 00:01:39 Star Chronicles: Key Episodes and Guests  00:04:05 The Crystal Ball: Science Funding & Future Predictions 00:06:10 Meet the Innovator: Niklas Anzinger 00:07:10 Building Tomorrow: Niklas on Vitalia & Decentralized Cities 00:14:43 Fast Track to Discovery: Accelerating Drug Development 00:20:40 The First Pop-Up City: A Review and Future Horizons 00:25:52 The Legal Labyrinth: Frameworks for Biotech Startups 00:29:14 Navigating New Waters: Regulatory Flexibility & Ethics 00:31:21 The Freedom Frontier: Medical Autonomy Explored 00:32:36 The Healthcare Conundrum: Challenges Ahead 00:37:31 Breakthrough Moments: Success Stories in Biotech 00:42:17 The Crypto Revolution: Blockchain in City Governance 00:46:25 The Science of Decentralization: Research Funding Innovations 00:49:02 Future Frontiers: Opportunities Within Vitalia 00:50:50 The Grand Finale: Conclusions and Reflections Episode Links: Vitalia - Join today!  Vitalia Summer School Program - Enroll today! Prospera Startup City Zuzalu City FDA Modernization Act Dallas Buyers Club MiniCircle  Unlimited Bio Symbiont Labs Topics Covered:  longevity biotech, crypto, human enhancement, biohacking, network states, biopharma regulation, healthcare system, sickcare system, medical reciprocity, safety trials, patients right to choose, drug development, economics of science, quantum biology, aging biology, regulatory flexibility Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠Instagram⁠  / ⁠Twitter⁠ / ⁠LinkedIn⁠ / ⁠Youtube⁠ / ⁠Grow Everything⁠ Email: [email protected] Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

Kevin Flyangolts joins Erum and Karl to talk about the evolving landscape of biosecurity. They discuss the rapid advancements in biotechnology, the growing accessibility of synthetic DNA, and the need for robust screening systems to ensure safety in the bioeconomy. Kevin shares knowledge from his software background, explaining how tools like those at Aclid Bio are bridging gaps in security, protecting against potential misuse, and setting the stage for future innovations in biotech. With reflections on government initiatives, industry collaboration, and the complexities of ethical biosecurity practices, this conversation showcases the urgent issues and exciting possibilities in the intersection of biology and technology. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Chapters: 00:00:00 - Opening with Unchecked DNA Risks 00:00:22 - Drones, Aliens, and the Unknown 00:01:45 - The Biotech Holiday Buzz 00:04:18 - Manufacturing the Future: A Revolution Begins 00:07:05 - DARPA’s Wild Moonshot Ideas 00:09:47 - What Keeps Us Up at Night 00:11:55 - Meet Kevin: Biosecurity Pioneer 00:15:30 - The Software Revolution in Biotech 00:19:45 - Tackling Biosecurity Challenges with Innovation 00:24:58 - Regulations in a Rapidly Changing Field 00:28:59 - Red Teams and Hidden Vulnerabilities 00:39:04 - Building Biotech Trust and Collaboration 00:44:21 - A Vision for Safer Biotech 00:46:59 - Wrap-Up and What’s Next in Biosecurity Episode Links: Aclid Bio Genspace ECHO NYC Biolabs@NYULangone Quorum Bio The Department of Defense under the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP) made 34 awards worth over $60 million. Awardees include Cauldron and Checkerspot. Topics Covered:  biosecurity, DNA synthesis, BIOSECURE Act, computer science Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 Instagram  / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything Email: [email protected] Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media