Welcome to "The Inside Track" podcast, a captivating series exploring the dynamic topics that span the world of synthetic biology. Hosted by Jeff Buguliskis, the Director of Content for SynbioBeta, this podcast invites listeners into thought-provoking conversations with leading innovators and thinkers in the field. In each episode, Jeff and his special guests unravel the complexities and marvels of Biodesign, providing insights into its application in various industries. From the pioneering founder of Biodesign Challenge, Dan Grushkin, to the visionary architect and Co-Founder of Biomason, Ginger Dosier, and the forward-thinking Director of Communications at LanzaTech, Kit McDonnell, the podcast features a diverse range of perspectives. As they share their experiences and expertise, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how biotechnology is shaping our future. "The Inside Track" is more than a podcast—it's a journey into the heart of innovation, making complex concepts in synthetic biology accessible and engaging for all. Join us on this exploratory adventure, and stay tuned for more inspiring episodes.

On this SynBioBeta podcast, John Cumbers talks with Eben Bayer, the CEO of Ecovative, a pioneering company at the forefront of developing sustainable materials using mycelium. John and Eben will discuss Ecovative’s journey toward creating a billion pounds of mycelium, explore some of the cutting-edge agricultural technology used in mushroom growing, and discuss the transformative potential of new mycelium crops in consumer goods. Additionally, John and Eben will dive into Ecovative’s unique use of AI and digital twins.

Eben Bayer is the CEO of Ecovative, a pioneering company at the forefront of developing sustainable materials using mycelium, Co-founder of My Forest Foods, which uses mycelium to make foods like Mybacon, and is listed as an inventor on 64+ patents. As an entrepreneur, inventor, and futurist, Eben speaks around the world, communicating the immense potential of natural technologies and advocating sustainable stewardship of Spaceship Earth. In addition to his executive roles at Ecovative and MyForest Foods, he advises environmental start-ups in New York and worldwide. 

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Connect with Eben: @ebenbayer

Connect with John: @johncumbers

On this SynBioBeta podcast, John Cumbers talks with Sean McClain, founder, and CEO of Absci, a generative AI drug creation company on a mission to create better drugs for patients faster. Sean and John will continue some of the discussion that we started on the SynBioBeta stage around generative AI and its critical role in drug discovery, some news from AbSci’s recent R&D day, and Sean’s recent visit to Congress to discuss the opportunities and threats from AI and bio.

Sean McClain is the Founder and CEO of Absci, which he built from a basement lab to a publicly traded company that continues to strive towards his vision of creating therapeutics at the click of a button. Under his leadership, Absci scaled to over 200 employees, raised over $450M in capital, established a growing number of industry-leading partnerships and built an Integrated Drug Creation Platform that merges bleeding-edge generative AI models with proprietary high-throughput wet-lab data. Sean studied biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Arizona and has been the recipient of numerous recognitions for his entrepreneurship and innovation. He serves as a board member for the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute and Life Science Washington.

Connect with Sean: @SeanRMcClain

Connect with John: @johncumbers

Today, John Cumbers talks with Ursheet Parikh, a general partner at Mayfield Fund, an early-stage, global venture capital firm with a people-first philosophy and a 50-plus-year history of investing and partnering with founders. John and Ursheet will discuss the state of the synthetic biology market and what startups can do to survive and thrive in this turbulent economy. To learn more, go to www.mayfield.com

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Check out this week’s sponsor: LatchBio

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Ursheet Parikh is a general partner at Mayfield Fund, where he has been investing in both human and planetary health companies since 2013. Ursheet’s investments include companies such as Mammoth Biosciences, which has a focus on discovering novel CRISPR systems; Mission Bio, which is looking to apply a Single-Cell Sequencing platform toward oncology; Qventus, which is blazing a trail in Healthcare-AI; and Endpoint Health, which is reshaping the Precision Immunology space—just to name a few. Ursheet holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a Bachelors in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai. He is passionate about accelerating healthcare innovation and transforming college education, where his family foundation is focused.

Connect with Ursheet: @ursheet

Connect with John: @johncumbers

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Today Fiona Mischel talks with Mark Kotter, Founder and CEO of bit.bio, about the impact of synthetic biology on the future of medicine. Technologies like human cell reprogramming are taking us beyond the “Brothers Wright Flight'' of early CAR-T therapies, which, while effective, are expensive, cumbersome, and difficult to target. Mark Kotter is dedicated to bringing cell therapies to all patients. Tune in to hear how this vision can be achieved, what challenges we face next, and the breadth of opportunities synbio is creating. You can learn more about human cell reprogramming at www.bit.bio

Check out this week’s sponsor: Form Bio

Mark Kotter is a stem cell biologist and neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge. Aged nineteen, he pursued a medical career to serve others and make a difference in people’s lives. He became fascinated by synthetic biology. He is the founder of bit.bio and co-founder of the cultured meat start-up Meatable.

Connect with Mark: @MarkKotter

Connect with Fiona: @FionaRMischel