How can protein science shape the future of food and climate solutions? Meet Anum Glasgow, a leading researcher at Columbia University, whose journey—rooted in her Pakistani heritage and a childhood of curiosity on the Jersey Shore—led her to the cutting edge of protein engineering.

Anum shares how her fascination with protein folding evolved into groundbreaking research on designing multifunctional proteins and therapeutics. We explore the hidden elegance of nature’s self-folding systems and how they inspire innovations in climate biotech.

We also dive into the work of Team Yeast Feast, a group pioneering a sustainable approach to flavor. By engineering proteins that enhance sweetness and umami naturally, they’re rethinking how we experience taste—tackling food sustainability with creativity and science. From blind taste tests to leveraging AlphaFold, their work blends playfulness with real-world impact.

Finally, we look at how hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry is unlocking the secrets of protein structure and its role in taste perception. What makes some sugar substitutes fall flat? How do protein conformations shape flavor? We connect the dots between sequence, structure, and sensory experience.

Tune in for a closer look at the Glasgow Lab’s work and the latest in climate biotech, brought to you by the Homeworld Collective.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:32) Guest Introduction: Anum Glasgow
(02:03) Anum's Background and Journey into Science
(02:40) The Fascination with Protein Folding
(05:35) From Physical to Biological Folding
(08:05) Computational and Experimental Approaches in Protein Research
(13:12) Exploring Taste Perception and Climate Solutions
(14:43) Engineering Sweet and Umami Yeast
(26:06) Technical Insights: Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry
(33:30) Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

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What role does biotechnology play in solving the climate crisis? Join us as we spotlight Ahmed Badran, assistant professor at the Scripps Research Institute and a leader in climate biotech innovation. Ahmed is a recipient of Homeworld Collective's Garden Grants for Protein Engineering.

Ahmed shares his journey, from growing up in Egypt in a family of scientists to becoming a pioneer in engineering enzymes for climate solutions.

We dive into the fascinating intersection of machine learning, synthetic biology, and climate innovation, spotlighting Rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis with untapped potential. Ahmed unpacks his research on enhancing Rubisco’s efficiency and its revolutionary implications for carbon capture and climate sustainability.

Ahmed also offers insights for aspiring biotechnologists, sharing advice on bridging computational and chemical expertise and the value of tackling bold, ambitious projects. Tune in for a closer look at the work happening at Scripps Research and the future of climate biotech.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:50) Meet Ahmed Bajran: A Rising Star in Climate Biotech
(01:49) Ahmed's Unique Background and Early Influences
(03:29) Academic Journey and Early Research
(05:33) Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Insights
(07:30) David Liu's Lab and Complex Problem Solving
(11:54) Garden Grant Proposal: Tackling Climate Change
(16:04) Rubisco and Carbon Capture Innovations
(22:51) Advanced Genetic Engineering Techniques
(31:08) Future of Synthetic Biology and Final Thoughts
(34:04) Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

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What if you could break free from traditional educational constraints and ignite your passion for science in a community biolab? Join us as Jas Neal and Elliot Roth share their remarkable journeys that challenge the norms of scientific exploration. Jas takes us from her entrepreneurial roots in Florida to her pioneering efforts in biochemistry, while Elliot reveals how community biolabs helped him bypass educational barriers to pursue his love for materials science. Together, they shine a spotlight on these innovative spaces that serve as a bridge between the rigid structures of universities and the dynamic world of startups!


(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:20) Meet the Hosts: Dan, Jas, and Elliot
(00:44) The Value of Recording Conversations
(01:41) Introducing Jess Neal and Elliot
(03:21) Jas's Journey into Community Biolabs
(05:28) Elliot's Background and Passion for Biology
(06:46) Challenges and Realizations in Academia
(08:45) The Role of Community Biolabs
(09:15) Learning and Experimentation in Community Labs
(16:36) Elliot's Unique Lab Spaces and Projects
(19:12) Collaborations and Success Stories
(23:39) Criticisms and Limitations of Community Biolabs
(25:36) Challenges in Community Bio Labs
(26:54) Funding and Sustainability Issues
(29:13) The Importance of Play and Experimentation
(32:51) Innovative Funding Models and Projects
(38:24) Future of Community Bio Labs
(46:43) Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

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On this episode of The Climate Biotech Podcast, we're sitting down with the legendary George Church. A pioneer in genomics and synthetic biology, George is known for his innovative visions for future tech — and for developing the foundational tools to get us there.

This conversation spans a gamut of creative ideas including observing planetary metabolomes with satellites, cleaning up supply chains via total recycling, advancing inorganic synthetic biology using multiplex DNA libraries, and harnessing developmental biology to surpass current 3-D printing capabilities.

Tune in to hear George's unique perspective on how biotechnology can provide infinitely scalable and atomically precise solutions to our planet's most pressing issues.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(02:26) Meet George Church: Early Life and Career
(04:23) The State of Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering
(06:13) Future -omes and Planetary Scale Biotech
(08:47) Writing Genomes and Climate Biotech
(10:22) Infinitely Scalable and Atomically Precise Biology
(20:38) Inorganic Synthetic Biology and New Frontiers
(23:26) Paul Reginato's Segment: Climate Relevant Problems
(36:13) Audience Q&A and Rapid Fire Questions
(41:17) Closing Remarks and Thank You

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How does a love for life and a deep passion for science fuel groundbreaking climate solutions? Join us as we spotlight Homeworld Founding Scientist Paul Reginato, who launched Homeworld Collective alongside Dan Goodwin to empower the climate biotech community.

Paul shares his journey, from starting as an aspiring young artist, to falling in love with biology as an undergraduate, to developing foundational in situ sequencing tech as a PhD researcher at MIT, to leading community roadmapping efforts for open problems in climate biotech.

We explore how microbes can help in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and how communicating open problems can empower innovation in a community.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:43) Meet the Hosts: Dan Goodwin and Paul Reginato
(01:38) Paul Reginato's Journey: From Art to Biology
(02:45) The Intersection of Love and Science
(03:27) Founding Homeworld Collective
(07:32) The Grind of Scientific Research
(10:19) From PhD to Climate Biotech
(13:41) The Problem Statement Repository
(21:20) Connecting Funders with Science
(22:07) Exploring Climate Biotech Problems
(22:47) Biology and Mineral Interactions
(23:56) Innovations in Mining and Carbon Management
(26:54) Microbial Community Functions in Mineral Weathering
(28:25) Challenges in Carbon Capture
(30:40) Community-Centric Approach at Homeworld
(35:10) Rapid Fire Questions with Paul
(39:23) Advice for Aspiring Biologists
(40:49) Dreams for Homeworld Collective
(42:10) Conclusion and Contact Information

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How does a fear of scuba diving transform into a career involving ocean microbes? Braden Tierney, the co-founder and executive director of the Two Frontiers Project, shares his incredible journey from studying the human microbiome to pioneering climate biotechnology. With a dual degree in biology and economics from Duke University and a PhD from Harvard Medical School, Braden’s fascinating story is one of overcoming personal fears and merging diverse skills to create a unique niche in environmental microbiology. His enriching experiences, from internships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to postdoctoral work at Weill Cornell Medical College, underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in groundbreaking research.

Listen as Braden discusses the strides made by the Two Frontiers Project, a nonprofit exploring life’s diversity in extreme environments like oceans and space. Learn about their groundbreaking research on carbon sequestering cyanobacterium and coral technology, including the discovery of a novel strain, which thrives in high CO2 environments and may hold the key to effective carbon sequestration. This episode illuminates the challenges and triumphs of pioneering research, from early setbacks to successful collaborations that push the boundaries of science and sustainability. Braden's insights into the cultivation of a living microbial database and the development of coral health technologies reveal a roadmap to address planetary-scale challenges.

2FP's innovative strategies and tight-knit collaboration underscore the balance between academic research and practical deployment, aiming to solve medium-term climate problems. This episode serves as an educational and inspirational guide for anyone passionate about harnessing biotechnology for a sustainable future.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:36) Meet Braden Tierney: A Journey in Biology
(01:54) Early Fascination with Science
(03:27) Diving into Marine Biology
(05:18) The Importance of Side Projects
(05:57) Combining Skills for Unique Research
(07:53) Academic Journey and Mentorship
(13:26) Postdoctoral Adventures in Space Biology
(15:25) The Two Frontiers Project: Oceans and Space
(17:22) Challenges and Innovations in Microbial Research
(22:13) Challenges in Environmental Sampling
(25:58) The CO2 Story: Promising Isolates
(29:33) Coral Reef Health and Technology
(32:22) Future Expeditions and Climate Biotech
(35:54) Building Expertise for Climate Solutions
(37:52) Skills and Opportunities in Climate Biotech
(40:58) Conclusion and Call to Action

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How do upland trees contribute to the fight against climate change? Join us as we uncover the unexpected climate services of trees with Vince Gauci, an ecosystem scientist and biogeochemist at the University of Birmingham.

In this episode of The Climate Biotech Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of methane uptake by trees with ecosystem scientist and biogeochemist Vince Gauci. His groundbreaking research at the University of Birmingham offers new insights into the hidden roles that trees play in mitigating climate change.

Throughout the episode, Vince's passion for ecosystem science and his dedication to addressing climate change are evident. His work underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and integrating process-level research with large-scale modeling to provide a holistic understanding of ecosystem dynamics. This episode is packed with thought-provoking insights for researchers, policymakers, and environmental enthusiasts alike.

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Welcome to the Climate Biotech Podcast, where we explore critical challenges at the intersection of climate and biology.

Join us as we interview the most innovative voices in our sector, from scientists and entrepreneurs to policymakers and investors. Our guest today is Lisa Stein, American biologist who is a professor at the University of Alberta. Lisa shares her journey from growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to becoming a pioneering researcher in environmental science, discussing the intricacies of microbial processes and their impact on climate change. We delve into the complexities of greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide, and explore the potential of microbial and chemical solutions to mitigate their effects.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:36) Meet Lisa Stein: A Leader in Methane and Nitrogen Cycles
(01:03) Lisa's Journey into Environmental Science
(01:34) Graduate Work and the Start of Microbial Research
(04:17) The Importance of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
(07:02) Challenges in Methane Removal
(08:16) Microbial and Chemical Solutions for Methane
(12:18) Understanding Redox Reactions
(15:21) Sources of Methane and Nitrous Oxide
(19:04) Linking Methane and Nitrous Oxide
(22:06) Soil Microbes and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(24:08) The Role of Metals in Microbial Metabolism
(27:05) Ecological Interactions and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
(31:15) Technological Approaches to Methane and Nitrous Oxide Reduction
(38:11) Audience Q&A: Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Microbial Solutions

Tune in for an insightful conversation on the forefront of climate biotechnology, where cutting-edge research meets practical solutions.

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