125. The Synbio Symphony: SynBioBeta’s John Cumbers Harmonizes Biology and Industry

Karl and Erum welcome back Dr. John Cumbers—founder of SynBioBeta and Biological Enlightenment Studios—to dive deep into the transformative power of synthetic biology. From designing personalized proteins and sustainable materials to programming life for space exploration, John unpacks why synthetic biology could be the defining technology of our century. The conversation spans the central dogma, programmable cells, AI-designed genomes, and even the ethics of growing brainless human clones. With themes ranging from planetary health to Pixar-style science storytelling, this episode offers a biologically enlightened vision of a future where we grow everything—from meat to materials to machines.
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 – Welcome to the Club: The Biologically Enlightened Begin
00:00:26 – Biotech Meets Copenhagen: Global R&D, Beer, and Bold Ideas
00:01:53 – AI Roasts, Inside Jokes, and the Business of Podcasting
00:04:00 – Dire Wolves, CRISPR, and the Wild World of De-Extinction
00:09:49 – Microscopes, Microbes, and the Future of Biotech Gaming
00:12:14 – Enter John Cumbers: Mastermind of Synthetic Biology
00:31:22 – Hyperscale Biology: AI-Bio Collisions at the Frontier
00:32:16 – From Intimidation to Innovation: Embracing AI in the Lab
00:34:24 – Beyond the Hype: AI, Quantum, and the Bio Black Box
00:36:13 – Remixing Life Itself: Non-Canonical Amino Acids Take the Stage
00:41:50 – From Niche to Mainstream: Biotech’s Cultural Awakening
00:45:12 – Rewriting the Future: Bio Strategies for a Greener Planet
00:48:39 – Too Radical to Fail? Brain Swaps and Body Clones
00:54:05 – SynBioBeta 2025: The Party, The Panels, The Possibilities
00:56:58 – What We Learned: Final Reflections and Nerdy Joy
Links and Resources:
Synbiobeta (Listen to this episode for a special discount to attend! You're welcome ;))
Common Side Effects
Time Magazine Cover of Colossal De-extincting the dire wolf
Dehli’s laptop repair market
Osmos Video Game⁠
Topics Covered: 
synbio, conferences, biotech, community, AI in bio, space biotech, biotech education, biotech edutainment.
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Text or Call (804) 505-5553 
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Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com
Music by: Nihilore
Production by: Amplafy Media