125. The Synbio Symphony: SynBioBeta’s John Cumbers Harmonizes Biology and Industry

Karl and Erum welcome back Dr. John Cumbers—founder of SynBioBeta and Biological Enlightenment Studios—to dive deep into the transformative power of synthetic biology. From designing personalized proteins and sustainable materials to programming life for space exploration, John unpacks why synthetic biology could be the defining technology of our century. The conversation spans the central dogma, programmable cells, AI-designed genomes, and even the ethics of growing brainless human clones. With themes ranging from planetary health to Pixar-style science storytelling, this episode offers a biologically enlightened vision of a future where we grow everything—from meat to materials to machines. 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 – Welcome to the Club: The Biologically Enlightened Begin00:00:26 – Biotech Meets Copenhagen: Global R&D, Beer, and Bold Ideas00:01:53 – AI Roasts, Inside Jokes, and the Business of Podcasting00:04:00 – Dire Wolves, CRISPR, and the Wild World of De-Extinction00:09:49 – Microscopes, Microbes, and the Future of Biotech Gaming00:12:14 – Enter John Cumbers: Mastermind of Synthetic Biology00:31:22 – Hyperscale Biology: AI-Bio Collisions at the Frontier00:32:16 – From Intimidation to Innovation: Embracing AI in the Lab00:34:24 – Beyond the Hype: AI, Quantum, and the Bio Black Box00:36:13 – Remixing Life Itself: Non-Canonical Amino Acids Take the Stage00:41:50 – From Niche to Mainstream: Biotech’s Cultural Awakening00:45:12 – Rewriting the Future: Bio Strategies for a Greener Planet00:48:39 – Too Radical to Fail? Brain Swaps and Body Clones00:54:05 – SynBioBeta 2025: The Party, The Panels, The Possibilities00:56:58 – What We Learned: Final Reflections and Nerdy Joy Links and Resources:Synbiobeta (Listen to this episode for a special discount to attend! You're welcome ;))Common Side EffectsTime Magazine Cover of Colossal De-extincting the dire wolfDehli’s laptop repair marketOsmos Video Game⁠ Topics Covered:  synbio, conferences, biotech, community, AI in bio, space biotech, biotech education, biotech edutainment. Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media