134. Bio-Logic in Living Designs: bioMATTERS’ Nancy Diniz on Crafting with Biology

Karl and Erum are joined by Nancy Diniz, Co-Founder of bioMATTERS LLC, to explore the future of biodesign and sustainable materials. Drawing on her background in architecture and digital fabrication, Nancy unpacks how bioMATTERS is creating novel mycelium- and microbe-based materials that are not only biodegradable but alive. The conversation traverses speculative design, the challenge of scaling living materials, and the cultural shift needed to embrace biology as a partner in production. With humor and insight, Nancy shares how her work sits at the intersection of art, science, and ecology—and why the next generation of materials must be rooted in systems thinking. 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 - From Kitchen Experiments to Living Systems: Nancy’s DIY Biodesign Spark00:00:28 - Protests, Purpose, and Speaking Up in a Wild World00:02:10 - The Future Is Biotech: From AI in Pharma to Bio-powered Skin Care00:04:32 - L’Oreal Meets Nvidia: The Unexpected Longevity Alliance00:08:17 - Meet Nancy Diniz: Architect Turned Biodesign Trailblazer00:15:22 - Clay, Craft, and Mycelium: Where Earth Meets Engineered Biology00:21:13 - Breaking the Mold: How Nancy Navigates the Unknown in Biodesign00:23:45 - Happy Accidents: Why Biodesign Thrives on Trial and Error00:25:10 - New Frontiers: Biomanufacturing Takes Center Stage00:25:50 - When Design Dreams Collide with Biological Reality00:27:00 - The Ethics of Growing with Care in Biodesign00:29:44 - Meet Symbi: Nancy’s Living Material with a Message00:32:10 - From Petri Dish to Production: The Real Challenge of Scale00:34:48 - What Ancient Pottery Can Teach Us About Tomorrow’s Materials00:37:08 - Future Tools: What’s Next in the Biodesign Toolkit00:40:00 - Dreaming Out Loud: Nancy’s Vision for Biofuturistic Design00:42:24 - Start in the Kitchen: Nancy’s Call to the Next Generation of Biodesigners00:44:25 - Final Reflections: Staying Curious in a Biotech World Links and Resources:bioMatters founded by Nancy Diniz and Frank MelendezCentral Saint Martins MA Biodesign courseAncient Futures Exhibit, featuring bioMatters workROMANIA or HUNGARY Mushroom capMerck Digital Sciences StudiosL’Oréal teams up with NvidiaNucleus Genomics offers to optimize embryosNSCEB Roadshow Summer 2025BioDesign Challenge Genspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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