EBRC In Translation

In this episode of EBRC In Translation, hosts Heidi Klumpe and Talia Jacobson interview Sam Schaffter, lead scientist for RNA synthetic biology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), about genetically encoded RNA circuits for real-time sensing of gene expression and their potential in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology. Sam describes his path from bioengineering and biochemistry at Purdue through DNA computing and molecular programming, to shifting toward cell-based synthetic biology after the 2019 SEED conference. He later joined NIST via an NRC postdoctoral fellowship. He compares national-lab and academic research environments, highlighting differences in equipment access and funding structures. Sam explains why RNA circuits enable programmable, portable molecular computation in dividing cells, outlines a long-term vision for pattern-recognition classifiers in living systems, and discusses limitations of current AI for RNA and protein function. He also emphasizes NIST’s role in standards, reference materials, and improved RNA-level measurements such as nanopore sequencing. Sam will be at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Synthetic Biology Summer Course this year instructing modules on RNA Circuits, DNA nanostructures, and synthetic cells with Leo Green . For graduate students interested in exploring government postdocs, check out the National Research Council Research Associateship Program. Feel free to reach out to Sam with any questions. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode of EBRC In Translation, Talia Jacobson and Will Grubbe interview Jim Collins of MIT, a pioneer of synthetic biology. He reflects on his path from human biomechanics and early gene circuit design to AI-driven antibiotic discovery. Collins discusses how deep learning is enabling new antibiotics despite market challenges, what makes research translation succeed, and the growing role of computation in biology. He also recounts developing RNA diagnostics and early CRISPR-based platforms like SHERLOCK, along with efforts to expand accessible infectious disease testing. Stay up to date with PHARE BIO for antibiotic discovery. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode of EBRC In Translation, we are joined with Danielle Tullman-Ercek, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University and co-director of its Center for Synthetic Biology. Danielle discusses her journey from aspiring architect to leading bioengineer, the foundation and goals of her lab, the interdisciplinary approach at Northwestern's Center for Synthetic Biology, and the inception of her company, Opera Bioscience. She also shares insights on navigating academia and entrepreneurship, the impact of federal research funding challenges, and the importance of community and collaboration in scientific research. Keep updated with GRC Physics of Viruses and Protein Cages and ECI Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXIV . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode of EBRC in Translation, we speak with Jenn Brophy , an assistant professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Jenn discusses her journey into plant synthetic biology, including how she transitioned from microbial synthetic biology and her motivation to increase female representation in academia. The conversation explores the current research directions of the Brophy lab, the technical and regulatory challenges in engineering plants versus bacteria, and the potential future of agricultural and environmental resilience through genetic engineering. Additionally, they delve into practical sustainability practices in research labs, teaching synthetic biology to high school students through the National Education Equity Lab , and broader efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the synthetic biology community. Note: Please check back for updates about attending SEED 2026 . During the episode, Jenn describes helpful ways to create a more sustainable lab. Find these helpful tips about designing a more sustainable lab with My Green Lab . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we chat with Niko McCarty—a scientist turned writer who is the founding editor of Asimov Press and head of creative at Asimov . Niko takes us through his unexpected journey from biochemistry research to science journalism. He shares insights on transitioning from the lab to the press, crafting deep-dive narratives, and even pioneering projects like a book encoded in DNA. Whether you’re a scientist looking to sharpen your writing or simply curious about the art of storytelling in biotech, Niko’s advice and experiences offer plenty of food for thought. Note: During the episode, Niko mentions a blog post from Jason Crawford about positive science fiction. It was not posted at the time but has since been posted. You can read it here . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we’re joined by Prof. Jef Boeke , a pioneer in synthetic genomics. Jef shares his journey from uncovering retrotransposons in yeast to leading the ambitious Sc2.0 project, an international collaboration to design and build the world’s first fully synthetic Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. Along the way, we delve into the groundbreaking science, the collaborative spirit of synthetic biology, and what it takes to push the boundaries of genomics. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we speak with Daniel Goodwin and Paul Reginato, the co-founders of Homeworld Collective , a non-profit working to support the social, intellectual, and funding infrastructure needed for climate biotech. Dan and Paul discuss the challenges in climate biotech, action-oriented optimism, their fast-grants program for climate research, how writing is a superpower, and so much more. Later this year, Homeworld Collective will open a Garden Grants call for proposals on research in biotech and greenhouse gas removal. You can also learn about the latest in climate biotech by tuning into their podcast, the Climate Biotech Podcast , or by signing up for their newsletter through their website . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we speak with Janice Chen , co-founder and CTO of Mammoth Biosciences . From her PhD work in Jennifer Doudna's lab to co-founding a biotech startup, Dr. Chen discusses her journey of translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Learn about the development of CRISPR-based diagnostics, including a rapid COVID-19 test, and gain insights into the evolving landscape of gene editing therapeutics. Dr. Chen also offers valuable advice for scientists looking to bridge the gap between academia and industry. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we talk to Sebastian Cocioba, a self-taught, independent researcher who designs flowers and develops tools that lower the entry barrier for others to do biology research. We talk with Sebastian about his unique path to Engineering Biology, his experience with DIY biology, the importance of open science, the role of citizen scientists in engineering biology, and much more! During the episode, Sebastian mentions that he recently started a YouTube channel, which you can find here. https://www.youtube.com/@ATinyGreenCell For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Prachee Avasthi, Co-founder and CSO of Arcadia Science and previous Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Dartmouth. We talk with Prachee about her many layers of experiments, from mining new biological tools to building new organizational structures for open science. We also talk with her about non-canonical career paths, science publishing models, and much more! For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Drew Endy , a professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at Stanford University. We talk to Drew about making the engineering of living systems routine, how biology is the perfect technology to interface with joules, bits, and atoms, the concept of synbiophobia-phobia, teaching biological literacy via the “Labrary”, the new discipline of Awestronomy, and so much more. In this episode, Drew mentions several interesting reads: The Genesis of a Curriculum on Biological Engineering The Morals of Measurement Homo Ludens For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Geoffrey Otim , founder and CEO of SynBio Africa and founder of iGEM Makarere , the first iGEM team in East Africa. We discuss the unique health, agricultural, climate, biosecurity, and energy challenges being tackled by the emerging engineering biology community in Africa. We also talk about his policy advocacy, African Union-led initiatives, and the cultural, political, and funding headwinds faced by African scientists. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Dr. John Inglis and Dr. Richard Sever, the executive director and assistant director respectively of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press . John and Richard also co-founded both bioRxiv and medRxiv , the primary preprint servers for biological and medical research. We discuss what makes the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press unique, how they founded bioRxiv and medRxiv, how preprinting allows us to do experiments on the publication system itself, and much more! In the episode, John recommends a book on career options for biomedical scientists . Note from the editor: Unfortunately, there were some minor issues with Richard's source audio which resulted in some occasional skipping. Our apologies for this! For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sean Simpson , strategic advisor and former CSO of LanzaTech . We talk with Sean about using biology to convert greenhouse gases into ethanol, how to scale up and sell a novel biological process, and the economic and policy requirements of engineering biology for global challenges. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Tony Kulesa , a Principal at the VC firm Pillar. We talk to Tony about his work to open source the biotech company creation process, overrated and underrated investment theses, reading and writing to all the different scales of biology and more! To learn more about founder-led biotech, check out some of Tony's writing on the topic here . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we speak with Melissa Takahashi , an Assistant Professor at California State University Northridge in the Department of Biology. We talk with Melissa about her research on the biological principles behind RNA gene regulation in bacteria, being a professor at a primarily undergraduate institution, helping students realize they can be scientists, and more! For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mustafa Khammash , Professor of Control Theory and Systems Biology in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH-Zurich. We talk with Mustafa about integrating control theory into synthetic biology, designing computer/biology interfaces, starting a wet lab as a tenured computational professor, the need for new theoretical frameworks for biological design, and more! Notes: During the episode, Dr. Khammash references two different papers from his lab, linked below. Cybergenetics: Theory and Applications of Genetic Control Systems Universal structural requirements for maximal robust perfect adaptation in biomolecular networks For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode we’re joined by Eldora Ellison, PhD , director at law firm Sterne Kessler and lead patent strategist for the CVC group in the MIT-Berkeley CRISPR patent litigation. We discuss the long and winding road of filing and defending patents, what it’s like to go from PhD scientist to law firm partner, how biotechnology advances are challenging the world of patents, and more! Links related to the episode: Careers at Sterne Kessler U.S. Biotechnology Patent Law by Jorge Goldstein For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Vineeta Agarwala , MD, PhD, a general partner at Andreesen Horowitz (a16z) where she leads investments in the group’s bio + health fund . We talk to Vineeta about investing in synthetic biology startup companies, a day in the life of a VC, following the good people, and more! Disclosures: The views expressed here are those of the individual AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. In addition, this content may include third-party advertisements; a16z has not reviewed such advertisements and does not endorse any advertising content contained therein. This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets) is available at https://a16z.com/investments/. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures for additional important information. For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Henry Lee, CEO of Cultivarium , a focused research organization that aims to expand access to novel microorganisms. We discuss the world’s fastest-growing bacterium, the challenges of domesticating non-model microbes, new organizational models for science, robotic dogs, and more! If you are interested in Cultivarium, you can learn more and get involved at https://www.cultivarium.org/ . For more information about EBRC: Visit our website at ebrc.org . If you are interested in getting involved with the EBRC Student and Postdoc Association, fill out a membership application for graduate students and postdocs or for undergraduates and join today! Transcription: Episode transcripts are the unedited output from Whisper and likely contain errors.