EBRC In Translation

35. Reimagining Drug Discovery and Diagnostics w/ Jim Collins

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.

34. Building Teams and Protein Machines w/ Danielle Tullman-Ercek

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.

33. Rooted for Resilience w/ Jenn Brophy

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.

32. From Research to Readership: Writing Biotech w/ Niko McCarty

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.

31. Reimagining Genomes w/ Jef Boeke

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.