Bioreactors and Light: The Future of Bio-Manufacturing Unveiled

Prolific-machines.com

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Deniz Kent is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prolific Machines, a biotech innovator at the forefront of utilizing light as a control mechanism for cellular behavior in biomanufacturing. With an academic background in molecular biology, Dr. Kent’s expertise lies in optogenetics—the science of using light to control cells. Under his leadership, Prolific Machines is pioneering a new era in biotechnology with applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to cellular agriculture.

Episode Summary:

In this fascinating episode of The Chris Voss Show, listeners are introduced to the visionary world of Dr. Deniz Kent, CEO and co-founder of Prolific Machines. With a mission to revolutionize biotechnology, Dr. Kent explores the profound impact of using optogenetics, a process that employs light to communicate and control cellular functions. This innovative approach aims to drive significant advancements in biomanufacturing, offering potential solutions for diverse industries, from pharmaceuticals to food production.

The discussion delves into how Prolific Machines strives to harness light for creating efficiencies in drug manufacturing, ultimately reducing costs and improving accessibility. Dr. Kent explains that the applications extend beyond pharmaceuticals, potentially transforming how we produce food and other essentials. As the conversation evolves, the potential future of bioreactors in homes is posited, signaling a shift towards personalized cell-based production. This episode promises intriguing insights into a future where biotechnology plays a pivotal role in daily life.

Key Takeaways:

Revolutionizing Biomanufacturing: Prolific Machines is utilizing optogenetics to enable precise control over cellular functions, impacting major sectors like pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Democratization of Medicine: The cost-effective and scalable nature of optogenetic biomanufacturing could make advanced therapies more accessible globally.

Visionary Applications: While focusing on drug manufacturing now, the technology envisions a future where bioreactors could provide custom food and medical solutions at home.

Historical Roots in Modern Innovation: The concept of biomanufacturing has ancient origins, showing its evolution from traditional practices to groundbreaking modern science.

Industry and Public Engagement: Dr. Kent aims to raise awareness and foster understanding of biotechnology’s potential, encouraging engagement from both industry professionals and the general public.

Notable Quotes:

“What we’re building is a system where machines and cells can communicate with each other.”

“I believe that all biomanufacturing will eventually become optogenetic.”

“You can make anything made out of cells, which is, a lot of things.”

“The ultimate goal is anyone who wants to make something with cells can use our technology as the infrastructure to do that.”

“By switching to these more advanced, machine-controllable tools, we can dramatically reduce the cost of protein therapeutics or gene therapies.”