133. Funding, Frameworks & Frenemies: Dr. Angela Belcher of NSCEB Gets Real on the $15B Biotech Boost Plan

Karl and Erum speak with Dr. Angela M. Belcher, MIT professor and pioneer in bioinspired materials, about how biology can transform the way we manufacture sustainable technologies. Drawing inspiration from how abalone build shells and viruses assemble structures, Angela shares how her lab uses genetically engineered viruses—like M13 bacteriophage—to grow batteries, solar cells, and cancer-targeting materials at room temperature without harmful chemicals. Her work reimagines the periodic table as a design toolkit and shows how nature’s strategies can help us build cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable solutions. 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 - Kicking Off with Biology, Innovation & Big Ideas00:00:21 - AI, Simulation Theory & Prompting the Future00:01:57 - Fungi Meets Art: Mycelium’s Creative Frontier00:02:44 - Can Synthetic Biology Save the Planet?00:05:54 - Meet Dr. Angela Belcher: Visionary in Biofabrication00:06:29 - Abalone Shells: Nature’s Blueprint for Smart Materials00:14:13 - Biotech Meets National Security: A Strategic Frontier00:25:23 - Building Tomorrow’s Scientists: Starting with Kids00:26:09 - Sparking Curiosity in the Next Generation00:27:00 - Science in Motion: Dodge Ball & Discovery00:27:53 - Resurrecting the Past: Biodiversity Through Time00:30:01 - Tackling the Grand Challenges in Biomanufacturing00:32:02 - From Bench to Nation: Scaling U.S. Biotech00:36:03 - Mining, Carbon & Clean Tech: A Greener Path00:38:42 - The Future of Biofabrication: What Comes Next?00:40:53 - Angela’s Journey: Curiosity, Grit & What’s Ahead00:43:32 - Final Reflections: Science, Society & What Matters Most Links and Resources:⁠NSCEBNSCEB REPORT: Charting the Future of Biotechnology GenspaceBen Lamm on Joe Rogan ExperienceScientists use synthetic biology to address urgent sustainability challengesThe Age of Living Machines by Susan Hockfield⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics Covered:  biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinouts 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