142. Petri Dishes & Policy Shifts: Capgemini’s Richard Traherne on Scaling Biology

Karl and Erum speak with Richard Traherne of Capgemini Invent and Cambridge Consultants, where they explore the explosive convergence of engineering biology, artificial intelligence, and sustainable innovation. Richard reveals how programmable biology is catalyzing a new industrial revolution—transitioning biotech from niche innovation to foundational infrastructure across sectors like food, fashion, personal care, and manufacturing. From building predictive bio-labs to deploying proprietary large language models for enzyme design, Richard shares how his team is helping companies leap from conceptual curiosity to commercial readiness. The conversation dives into challenges faced by both bio-literate and bio-novice enterprises, the importance of storytelling and regulatory support, and how a truly bio-native design mindset can unlock regenerative, high-performance solutions. This episode is a must-listen for biotech professionals, sustainability strategists, and innovation leaders eager to scale with intention in the emerging bioeconomy. 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 - Stepping Into the Era of Programmable Biology00:01:04 - Inside a Workshop on Designing Life with Code00:06:31 - Longevity Breakthroughs: Tackling Aging with Biotech00:08:40 - The Beauty Revolution Powered by Regenerative Biology00:12:31 - Turning Biotech Ideas into Market-Ready Innovations00:14:05 - Spotlight Conversation with Richard Traherne00:32:34 - Slashing Discovery Costs in Energy and Fuels00:33:03 - The Real-World Hurdles of Bringing Biology to Life00:33:41 - Winning Trust in Bioengineered Solutions00:36:13 - Scaling Biology to Power the Global Bioeconomy00:41:12 - How AI Is Supercharging Biotechnology00:44:42 - Engineering Biology for a Sustainable Future00:48:39 - Game-Changing Bio Projects and Their Ripple Effects00:52:30 - What’s Next for the Future of Engineering Biology00:55:32 - Quickfire Insights and Closing Thoughts Links and Resources:109. Long Live Vitalia: The City Where Aging Slows and Innovation Accelerates With Niklas Anzinger137. Hack to the Future: Shelby Newsad on Biohacking Breakthroughs50. The Dye-Hard Innovator: Natsai Chieza Designs Change for the Fashion Industry and the WorldCapgemini Engineering Biology Report: Access here Capgemini Lab Breakthrough hereCapgemini CRI: Unlocking the potential of engineering biology: The time is nowCapgemini x WEF: From Policy to Practice: Actionable Recommendations for a Commercial BioeconomyCapgemini x WEF: Next Generation Bio-Innovation: Delivering Commercial ValueCapgemini x WEF: Accelerating the tech-driven bioeconomy⁠ Topics Covered:  biotech consulting, bioengineering, innovation adoption, integration, bio-based, systems biology 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