Explore every episode of the podcast Galaxy Balance
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Medicine of Human Contact | 12 Oct 2026 | 01:00:51 | |
Premature babies enter the world before many of their biological systems are ready, yet the technologies that keep them alive often separate them from their parents. Alon Metrikin-Gold, founder and CEO of NEOCare, is working to redesign neonatal care around connection. His team developed SKINcubator, a wearable medical device intended to enable immediate and prolonged skin-to-skin care for premature and medically fragile infants. The device maintains warmth and humidity while securing the baby and supporting the lines and tubes required in intensive care. In this episode, we explore why separation is not a neutral baseline, how physical contact affects stress regulation and development, and why parents should be treated as part of the clinical care team. 00:00 - Introduction to Skincubator Neocare and the problem of prolonged skin-to-skin care 01:11 - Alon’s background in women’s health and medical anthropology 03:03 - The key insight: separation is the artificial state 04:45 - WHO guidance versus actual NICU practice 06:14 - What parents and nurses revealed about failed skin-to-skin care 07:49 - Why extremely premature babies are so fragile 09:46 - The early engineering idea: heat and humidity from the parent’s body 10:43 - Six core design requirements for the first week of life 11:42 - What “transfer” means in practice and why it is so stressful 13:07 - Line safety, hypothermia, and why short sessions still fail 14:32 - How the device maintains heat, humidity, safety, and access 15:02 - Early clinical results and hours of skin-to-skin care achieved 16:19 - Target population and why the first days of life matter most 17:15 - Why NICU care often leaves parents unsure of their role 18:12 - How the broader system is built around separation 19:10 - Why skin-to-skin care is not just “nice,” but medically significant 21:06 - Human connection as something technology should support, not replace 22:04 - FDA breakthrough designation and what it means 23:32 - Why better documentation of skin-to-skin care matters 24:31 - How the device becomes a catalyst for protocol change 26:35 - The biology of stress reduction, cortisol, and stabilization 28:03 - Skin-to-skin care as preventative medicine and neurodevelopment support 30:28 - Maternal and infant benefits, including feeding and sensory regulation 31:25 - Designing as a producer, not an engineer, and listening to nurses 32:47 - Building for two user groups at once: parents and nurses 34:44 - How aesthetics, regulation, business model, and manufacturing all connect 36:29 - Funding the company with angels and seed capital 37:25 - Clinical expansion plans in Europe, Germany, Canada, Poland, Australia, and the US 38:10 - Safety, feasibility, and randomized trials focused on increased contact time 39:34 - Future outcome studies: baby, parent, nurse, hospital, and ROI measures 41:50 - The long-term roadmap: connected care from delivery to discharge 43:48 - Quantifying skin-to-skin barriers and the challenge of measurement 44:46 - Why parents occupy both patient and labor roles in the NICU 46:36 - Three strategic arcs: discharge, parent engagement, and low-resource settings 47:14 - Parenting, stress, and the emotional reality of the NICU 49:32 - Reimbursement, leave policies, and institutional barriers for families 55:13 - Advice for medical device founders: solve the problem, not the idea 56:42 - Why medical devices require technology, regulatory, and business model alignment 57:30 - Collecting data early to validate the next step 58:59 - Alon’s science fiction and urban fantasy recommendation | |||
| Can We Build Virus-Proof Life? | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:59:39 | |
What happens when scientists rewrite the genetic code that nearly all life on Earth shares? Dr. Akos Nyerges, a genome engineer and independent research group leader at Harvard Medical School, joins Galaxy Balance to explore the emerging world of synthetic genomes. His lab is engineering bacteria with altered genetic codes that can resist viral infection, restrict the exchange of genetic information, and incorporate chemical building blocks beyond biology’s standard 20 amino acids. Akos explains how these genetic firewalls could make engineered organisms safer for drug delivery, biomanufacturing, and environmental applications. We examine why large-scale genome rewriting often produces sick cells, how multi-omics can reveal hidden errors such as accidental promoters and mistranslated proteins, and how his team restored recoded bacteria to near-normal fitness. The conversation also explores AI-assisted genome design, cloud laboratories, engineered living medicines, horizontal gene transfer, the risks of mirror life, and the regulatory frameworks needed as synthetic biology moves toward increasingly ambitious forms of life. Could we create organisms isolated from the rest of nature? Can evolution overcome even our strongest genetic firewalls? And how close is modern genome engineering to becoming science fiction made real? 00:00 Introduction | |||
| Humanity May Become the Little Green Men | 07 Sep 2026 | 01:07:29 | |
If the universe contains billions of potentially habitable worlds, where is everybody? Dr. Terry Adair, author of Where Are the Little Green Men? The Adair Hypothesis, joins Galaxy Balance to examine the Fermi paradox through the lens of energy. His hypothesis proposes that an advanced technological civilization requires access to an abundant, dense, storable, transportable, and scalable energy supply. The conversation traces Earth’s energetic evolution from hydrothermal chemistry and photosynthesis to fire, fossil fuels, nuclear fission, and fusion. Terry explains how photosynthesis enabled complex life while also creating the ancient reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas that eventually powered industrial civilization. He argues that this unlikely sequence may represent a series of filters preventing intelligent life elsewhere from producing detectable technology or reaching other stars. We also explore the Drake equation, abiogenesis, the evolution of complex life, the technological limitations of ocean worlds, the challenges surrounding red dwarf stars, and the laws of thermodynamics that constrain every possible civilization. Terry outlines how fusion energy could eventually enable plasma drives, antimatter production, and spacecraft capable of reaching a meaningful fraction of the speed of light. The episode closes with an optimistic vision of humanity’s long-term future. If we continue expanding our scientific knowledge and energy capabilities, humans may eventually become the interstellar visitors that other civilizations look toward the sky hoping to find. 00:00 - Why the Fermi paradox belongs at the center of this conversation 03:37 - How Adair’s background led him to an energy-based hypothesis 04:20 - What the Fermi paradox actually means 08:14 - Drake equation, exoplanets, and the Great Filter 10:23 - Why the Drake equation is a framework, not an exact answer 11:47 - Why abiogenesis and intelligence are not the same question 13:29 - Earth’s evolutionary milestones from microbes to technology 15:10 - Why photosynthesis is the breaking point in life’s history 18:28 - The difference between abundant energy and usable energy 21:49 - Endosymbiosis, mitochondria, and the energy jump in complex life 23:51 - Why CO2 is the raw material behind plant structure 26:19 - How biomass became coal, oil, and natural gas 29:25 - Where uranium and thorium come from 31:46 - Why nuclear fusion is central to future civilization 33:34 - Entropy, disorder, and why perpetual motion fails 38:03 - The limits of fossil fuels and the case for nuclear fission 40:02 - Weapons, waste, and why small modular reactors matter 43:20 - The Adair Hypothesis, defined 44:14 - Fire as humanity’s first technology 47:27 - The photosynthetic trap and why fossil fuels changed civilization 49:58 - How much energy humanity has burned in 200 years 51:21 - Could an aquatic species build technology without fire? 52:32 - From Democritus to quarks: what matter really is 56:22 - Why energy access on Earth is still an equity issue 58:51 - Antimatter, plasma drives, and propulsion limits 62:47 - Why fusion-powered travel is a 300 to 400 year project 64:21 - Humans as the future “little green men” 65:21 - Why Star Wars is Adair’s favorite science fiction reference | |||
| Can We Make a Drug for One Person? | 24 Aug 2026 | 01:03:40 | |
What if we could design a medicine for a single person? Casey McPherson was a musician and songwriter when his daughter Rose was diagnosed with an ultra-rare neurogenetic disease. There was no approved treatment and no clear path forward. Rather than accepting that answer, Casey began learning genetics, building a network of scientists, and ultimately creating the infrastructure needed to develop a treatment for his daughter. Today, Casey is the CEO and co-founder of Alpha Rose Therapeutics, where his team is working to make individualized genetic medicine scalable. Their approach combines antisense oligonucleotides, patient-derived stem cells, AI-guided therapeutic design, automation, and a new economic model for diseases that traditional drug development often leaves behind. We discuss how Alpha Rose reduced a therapeutic amenability analysis that once took months to just minutes using AI, why Casey believes drug development should eventually be approved as a repeatable process rather than one drug at a time, and how point-of-care synthesis could allow personalized genetic medicines to be produced rapidly for individual patients. We also explore autonomous laboratories, AI scientists, patient-derived iPSCs and brain organoids, the economics of rare disease, genetic enhancement, and a future of medicine that looks increasingly like the sick bay of Star Trek: understand the unique biology of the patient, design the intervention, synthesize it, and treat them. Casey's story raises a much bigger question. Are rare diseases really rare, or are they the first glimpse of a future where every disease becomes individualized?
00:00 - Casey McPherson’s path from musician to biotech founder 01:38 - Childhood curiosity: music, programming, electronics, and biology 04:16 - Rose’s diagnosis and the end of the traditional care pathway 07:46 - Learning the problem was bigger than one child 09:59 - Why a foundation and ecosystem had to come first 11:27 - Why Rare Labs was built as a modality agnostic discovery lab 12:24 - Why antisense oligonucleotides made sense for Rose 13:22 - Designing and filtering thousands of ASO candidates 15:13 - Building patient-specific iPSCs and brain organoids 17:25 - Why animal models are mainly a safety tool 20:06 - Why Alpha Rose became a public benefit corporation 23:22 - Regulatory strategy and the path toward a small patient trial 27:35 - How Casey learned drug development by doing 30:30 - The AI amenability study workflow for new patients 33:24 - Turning a rough AI prototype into a validated internal tool 35:34 - Using the tool on every new drug and patient case 36:31 - Why speed matters when families are waiting on treatment 37:54 - Rare disease as a business model problem, not just a science problem 43:02 - The next decade of individualized medicine 44:27 - Process approval and point-of-care drug synthesis 46:34 - Beyond rare disease: enhancement and broader applications 48:24 - Why children’s health is so underfunded 51:20 - Why precision medicines can lower development risk 53:33 - Robotics and the fully automated lab of the future 55:46 - Renee, conversational AI, and the scientist-as-assistant future 56:54 - Science fiction influence and the Star Trek medicine model 59:50 - Advice for families and scientists facing genetic disease 1:02:21 - Closing thoughts on individualized disease | |||
| Clarice Aiello: The Hidden Quantum Physics of Biology | 10 Aug 2026 | 01:06:47 | |
Could life be using quantum physics to sense the world, regulate cellular processes, and respond to magnetic fields? Clarice Aiello is a quantum engineer, Chair of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer at the Quantum Biology Institute, and the founder of the former Quantum Biology Tech Lab at UCLA. Her research explores whether living systems harness quantum phenomena once considered too fragile to survive within warm, noisy cells. In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Clarice explains quantum tunneling, superposition, entanglement, and decoherence through the lens of biology. We discuss how electrons inside proteins may function as nature-made quantum sensors, how weak magnetic fields can influence cellular behavior, and whether engineered magnetic fields could eventually support wound healing, regeneration, and other forms of electromagnetic medicine. Clarice also describes the evidence that birds may use quantum sensing to navigate, why nature could teach us to build better quantum technologies, and how altered magnetic environments may affect organisms traveling to the Moon or Mars. We explore the scientific standards needed to move quantum biology into the mainstream, the limits of current evidence, and the possibility of creating a Star Trek-style tricorder that interacts with biology through precisely designed magnetic fields. The conversation closes with quantum literacy, science fiction, interdisciplinary research, and Clarice’s advice for the next generation of scientists entering one of biology’s strangest emerging frontiers. 0:00 Clarice Aiello’s background and why quantum biology matters | |||
| Li Li: Rewiring Skin Aging With AI and mRNA | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:57:34 | |
00:00 - Introduction to Lily and GLife’s vision for data-driven dermatology 01:20 - Lily’s scientific background 02:43 - Breakthroughs from single-cell atlases 03:50 - The motivation behind founding GLife 04:50 - The importance of treating skin as a foundational organ 05:48 - Discovery of key molecular drivers of aging 06:22 - Challenges of fundraising 07:45 - The novel approach to rejuvenating hair loss through targeted messenger RNA treatments 08:53 - How treatments will be delivered via microneedles and micro patches 09:32 - The potential to alter hair color and explore cosmetic applications 10:06 - Balancing platform discovery engines with the development of first-in-class therapeutics 10:43 - The comprehensiveness of the skin atlas and addressing genetic diversity 11:39 - Technical challenges of capturing skin’s cellular heterogeneity and stem cell populations 12:50 - The importance of isoforms and deep sequencing in understanding gene functions 13:16 - Short-lived messenger RNA as a safe, reversible treatment modality 14:55 - Safety considerations and toxicity management 16:01 - Biodistribution studies and local micro-needle delivery safety 17:00 - Next steps towards clinical trials and regenerative therapies for hair loss 18:08 - The role of big data and omics in understanding skin disorders and aging 19:04 - The significance of isoforms in skin biology and gene function 20:13 - Endogenous vs. modified messenger design for safety and efficacy 21:32 - Potential for multi-gene delivery to enhance hair regrowth and color restoration 22:22 - Conception of patches that work with existing hair without shaving 23:38 - Targeting broad hair loss types and the concept of root causes 24:47 - Modeling hair loss with animal models and regulatory considerations 25:48 - Regulatory perspectives on non-animal models and validation strategies 26:34 - The interplay between genetic and environmental causes of skin aging 27:54 - The biological hub role of specific transcription factors in stress and aging 29:10 - The future of skin biomarkers for diagnosis and personalized health monitoring 30:18 - Leveraging AI’s data integration and precision medicine in dermatology 32:32 - The impact of protein isoforms and post-translational modifications in skin treatment 34:47 - Interest in peptides, small molecules, and biohacking trends for skin health 36:03 - Collaboration between wet labs, computational teams, and clinical partners 36:36 - The significance of internal naming conventions in research and development 37:28 - The high-throughput screening process for key transcription factors 38:13 - Strategies for overexpressing target genes in therapeutic design 39:00 - AI’s role in accelerating discovery and development pipelines in biotech 40:39 - Addressing data quality, heterogeneity, and integration challenges in big datasets 44:12 - Envisioning personalized skincare driven by genomics and AI 44:56 - The inspiring concept that ancient technologies now seem like magic 45:24 - Challenges in bringing novel dermatological treatments through trials and regulation 47:42 - The evolving role of AI in drug quality control and documentation 48:11 - Unique advantages of Lily’s targeted mRNA approach over other modalities 49:22 - Using skin as a model system for broader human biology insights 50:28 - Perspectives on epigenetic reprogramming and cellular re-differentiation 51:22 - Fundraising experiences and strategic positioning for biotech development 52:21 - The influence of science fiction, especially “Three Body Problem” and “Interstellar,” on Lily’s vision 54:24 - Advice to young scientists: read widely, think deeply, and dream big | |||
| Aditya Kunjapur: Bringing New Chemistry to Life | 13 Jul 2026 | 01:03:43 | |
What does it take to bring new chemistry to life? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith speaks with Aditya Kunjapur, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, about genetic code expansion, non-standard amino acids, engineered microbes, and the future of synthetic biology. Aditya’s lab explores how biology can be programmed to biosynthesize chemical groups that are rare or absent in nature, install those new building blocks into proteins, and make microbial survival depend on synthetic chemistry. The conversation moves from his early path through energy and chemical engineering, to his time in George Church’s lab, to the founding of Nitro Biosciences and the use of expanded genetic codes for next generation vaccine platforms. They discuss how non-standard amino acids can act as chemical flags for the immune system, how live microbes could produce antigens inside the body, and why genetic code expansion may open new approaches to vaccines, biocontainment, agriculture, environmental engineering, and planetary protection. The episode also explores synthetic auxotrophy, engineered microbial dependence, plant controlled microbial survival, plastic degradation, agricultural probiotics, bioenergy, AI tools for non-standard amino acids, and the science fiction lessons behind containment, from Jurassic Park to modern AI. This is a conversation about rewriting the language of life, not only to understand biology, but to give it new chemistry, new safeguards, and new possibilities. Timestamps: 00:00 - Engineering microbes for space: Bacillus subtilis and biological containment | |||
| Erik Aznauryan: Writing Genes at Scale | 29 Jun 2026 | 01:00:46 | |
Erik Aznauryan, CEO and co-founder of HarborSite, joins Galaxy Balance to explore the next frontier of genome engineering: moving beyond small edits and toward precise, large-scale DNA insertion. Erik traces his path from Armenia and medical school to Europe, the Church Lab, and eventually founding HarborSite with a mission to make gene insertion safer, more durable, and more programmable. The conversation dives into recombinases, safe harbor sites, payload size limits, delivery vehicles, in vivo validation, AI-driven protein engineering, and the therapeutic promise of inserting full genes or even entire genetic programs into the genome. Cory and Erik also discuss rare disease, cell therapy, skin and liver targeting, regulatory bottlenecks, animal models, funding shifts in biotech, and the long-term possibility of human enhancement in an age of AI. At the edge of science fiction and translational medicine, this episode asks what becomes possible when genome engineering evolves from editing biology to writing biology at scale 00:00 — The North Star for genome engineering 00:36 — Introduction to Erik and HarborSite 01:39 — Erik’s path into science 02:36 — Early fascination with cloning and genome engineering 03:21 — Cory’s own early inspiration 04:03 — Why genome engineering matters 05:24 — Ethical questions around germline engineering 06:37 — Why early-stage intervention matters 07:51 — Technical progress and disease-specific editing 09:25 — Why HarborSite was founded 10:50 — Recombinases as the core technology 12:15 — Engineering recombinases for new DNA targets 13:12 — Novel genomic safe harbors 14:18 — How safe harbors are selected and validated 15:36 — How much target specificity can be changed? 16:36 — Why lifelong expression matters 17:29 — Testing durability in culture and in vivo 18:26 — The appeal of the albumin locus 19:15 — Endogenous production of biologics 20:59 — Startup challenges and fundraising 22:28 — Why LabCentral is valuable 23:07 — AI BioHub and large proprietary datasets 24:08 — AI’s role in model development 25:11 — Practical uses of AI in biotech startups 26:51 — How the team handles data analysis 27:56 — What the therapeutic product looks like 28:52 — First target tissues: liver and T cells 30:27 — Testing off-target integration 31:27 — Balancing specificity and efficiency 32:24 — Lessons from CAR-T and random integration 33:40 — Why recombinase systems may be safer 34:39 — Payload size and delivery constraints 35:35 — Delivery strategies under consideration 38:09 — Simpler donor DNA formats 39:38 — Platform company and therapeutic company 40:59 — The key milestone: in vivo validation 41:48 — HarborSite’s pre-seed raise 43:05 — How VC expectations have shifted 44:26 — Choosing the right in vivo model 46:22 — The continued importance of mouse studies 48:23 — Global regulatory differences 50:10 — Science funding in the U.S. 52:40 — Synthetic biology in space 54:34 — Enhancement and self-directed health 57:40 — Science fiction and inspiration 59:34 — Advice for young scientists 60:31 — Closing remarks | |||
| Intertwined Biosciences: Engineering Evolution for Human Health | 15 Jun 2026 | 01:07:12 | |
Max Rye and Evan Appleton of Intertwined Bio join Galaxy Balance to explore one of the boldest ideas in modern biology: borrowing nature’s most extreme traits and translating them into human health. From horses that resist liver cirrhosis to naked mole rats, bowhead whales, radiation resistant organisms, hibernating animals, and the future of humans in space, this conversation asks what becomes possible when evolution itself becomes a design library. Max and Evan explain how Intertwined Bio is using synthetic biology, gene editing, AI, virtual macrophages, and agentic systems to identify traits from extraordinary animals and test whether those adaptations can be engineered into human cells. We discuss liver fibrosis, DNA damage repair, innate immune engineering, longevity, space radiation, de extinction, Colossal Biosciences, the future of virtual cells, and the ethical line between therapy and enhancement. This is a conversation about turning science fiction into biology. 00:00 - Introduction to Intertwined Bio and their innovative approach 01:01 - The origins and motivations of Max and Evan in biotech 04:56 - Scientific foundation: Borrowing traits from long-lived and resilient animals 07:16 - Why now? Recent technological advances enabling these innovations 10:46 - Role of AI in understanding complex biological systems and virtual cell modeling 14:17 - Delivery strategies for genetic modifications in humans 18:19 - Regulatory pathways and ethical boundaries in gene editing 22:25 - The potential of junk DNA variants and regulatory engineering 27:09 - The potential impact on sports animals and broader applications 31:12 - Industry landscape, collaboration, and competition 33:21 - Building a startup: team dynamics, trust, and early steps 35:58 - Insights on other biotech ventures like AstroMech and their directions 38:39 - Space applications: radiation resistance, hibernation, and life support systems 43:01 - Prioritizing targets using AI and high-throughput screening 48:31 - Broader prospects: aging, longevity, and the OZEMPIC effect 52:44 - Focus on innate immune system engineering and virtual cell development 57:15 - Strategies for macrophage gene editing and cell type targeting 1:01:36 - Bottlenecks in lab throughput and cell growth limitations 1:04:30 - The influence of science fiction on biotech innovation and ethical outlooks 1:06:14 - Closing thoughts: science fiction as inspiration and the rapid transition of ideas into reality | |||
| Charles Fracchia: Securing the Bioeconomy | 01 Jun 2026 | 01:02:54 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, I sit down with Charles Fracchia to explore the emerging infrastructure layer of synthetic biology. We discuss the future of secure and scalable bioengineering, the role of community laboratories in accelerating innovation, and how biology is evolving into a programmable technology platform. Charles shares the story behind BioBright, the creation of Bio-ISAC, and the broader challenge of building resilient systems for a world where genetic engineering becomes increasingly accessible. The conversation moves from cyberbiosecurity and open science to AI-driven biological design, scientific culture, and the growing overlap between software engineering and biotechnology. We also explore the long-term future of human enhancement, decentralized science, and how science fiction continues to shape the ambitions of the next generation of builders working at the frontier of biology. Timestamps: 00:00 - Overcoming cynicism in AI's role in biosecurity 00:40 - Introduction to Charles Fracchia and his pioneering work 02:07 - Charles's background and journey into biotech innovation 04:01 - Balancing classical education with trial-by-fire experience 06:26 - AI as a search tool versus experimental center in biology 08:28 - Developing AI systems for biological experiment automation 11:35 - The founding and evolution of Black Mesa and its mission 14:26 - The importance of digital batch records and AI-assisted QA QC 16:06 - AI's role in drug development, safety, and traceability 18:44 - Ensuring trust and integrity in AI models for biotech applications 22:51 - Addressing data poisoning and ensuring model robustness 24:45 - Strategies for verifying biological data integrity through cryptography and blockchain 33:55 - Future threats like AI-driven bio weapons and safeguarding strategies 42:48 - The importance of operational innovation in accelerating bioeconomy growth 58:25 - Influence of science fiction on biosecurity and innovation 60:11 - Advice for emerging scientists in a rapidly changing landscape 1:02:53 - Closing remarks and future outlook from Charles Fracchia | |||
| Tyler Todt: Discipline Over Dopamine | 19 May 2026 | 00:53:12 | |
What if the most powerful form of human optimization has nothing to do with biotech? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory sits down with Tyler Todt, who has built a platform around physical health, mental resilience, and intentional living. While the world races toward gene editing, AI, and synthetic biology, Tyler focuses on something more immediate: how daily habits, environment, and mindset shape the trajectory of your life. They explore the tension between technological enhancement and human discipline, from fertility and genetic selection to Neuralink and simulated realities. Along the way, Tyler shares how small, consistent changes transformed his health, marriage, and purpose, and why most people fail by trying to do too much at once. Timestamps: 00:00 - Small diet tweaks for improved energy and health 00:11 - The value of movement and daily habits in life optimization 00:44 - Introducing Tyler Todt’s background and mission 01:12 - Tyler’s journey from normal life to disciplined optimization 02:17 - Marriage, weight gain, and mental health struggles in the journey 03:08 - Creating intentional rules to improve life quality 04:08 - Mindset shifts for sustainable health improvements 04:45 - Challenges in maintaining motivation and overcoming setbacks 05:02 - Tips for starting small and building routines 06:01 - The neuroscience of habits and pattern creation 07:27 - The importance of grace and balance in biohacking 08:23 - Brain's autopilot and neural pathways in behavior change 09:16 - Ethical debates around reproductive biotech advances 09:43 - The use of stem cells in fertility and new treatments 10:32 - The future of gene editing and embryo selection 13:33 - Ethical considerations of genetic trait modification 15:35 - The potential dangers of designer traits and societal impacts 16:20 - Risks of focusing on narrow breeding goals 16:49 - Natural genetic variation and evolutionary trade-offs 17:09 - The double-edged sword of certain genetic traits like sickle cell 18:16 - Limitations of current genetic understanding and AI's potential 19:16 - Advances in DNA reading, writing, and CRISPR technology 20:03 - The ethical dilemmas of germline modifications and human enhancement 21:26 - The future of human evolution and the possibility of multiple iterations 22:16 - Space exploration, colonization, and interstellar travel 23:05 - The societal and ethical implications of AI-enhanced humans 24:33 - Neural interfaces, Neuralink, and virtual reality futures 25:35 - The allure and dangers of immersive digital worlds 26:13 - The role of genuine human experiences versus synthetic life 27:32 - The societal challenges of technological inequality 28:02 - The quest for extraterrestrial life and the Fermi paradox 39:15 - The potential for hidden advanced technologies and secret projects 40:44 - The vastness of space and the search for alien life 45:57 - Global cooperation and the importance of humanity's future 46:55 - UFOs, alien encounters, and government disclosures 49:40 - Living in a universe of uncertainties and existential risks 50:14 - Science fiction recommendations: The Matrix and beyond 50:53 - Advice for aspiring longevity explorers: control, curiosity, and consistency 52:25 - Mental health, nervous system management, and daily reflection 53:01 - Final thoughts and appreciation for innovative minds in health science | |||
| TJ Cradick: Building the Future of Genome Editing | 11 May 2026 | 00:59:32 | |
Genome editing has moved from experimental concept to FDA approved medicine in less than a generation. Few people have been closer to that transformation than TJ Cradick. TJ was one of the earliest pioneers in programmable biology, helping shape the field from the era of zinc finger nucleases through the rise of CRISPR and next generation editing systems. As the second employee and Head of Genome Editing at CRISPR Therapeutics, he helped lay the scientific foundation for Casgevy, the first FDA approved CRISPR therapy. Later, at Excision BioTherapeutics, he worked on some of the first in vivo CRISPR therapies targeting latent HIV reservoirs. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of genome engineering. We explore the transition from protein engineered nucleases to scalable CRISPR guide libraries, and the growing importance of delivery technologies capable of targeting tissues beyond the liver. TJ explains how off target analysis evolved from primitive assays into massively parallel sequencing pipelines and why the future of gene editing depends just as much on delivery and manufacturing as the editing enzymes themselves. We also discuss the hidden challenges behind FDA approval, the realities of scaling genome editing therapies, the future of in vivo editing, and the ethical questions surrounding human germline engineering. This conversation is a rare look inside the engineering, regulation, and philosophy of one of the most transformative technologies humanity has ever developed. · 0:00 - Science Fiction to Science Fact · 0:23 - Cutting Edge of Science · 0:37 - Introduction to TJ Cradick · 1:06 - CRISPR Therapeutics and Beyond · 1:42 - Early Interest in Science · 2:12 - Academic Journey · 3:08 - Transition to Biotech · 4:04 - Zinc Finger Nucleases · 5:28 - Evolution of Screening Technologies · 6:48 - CRISPR Libraries and High Throughput Screens · 8:07 - New Technologies in Gene Editing · 9:15 - Off-Target Effects and Assays · 11:23 - Future Opportunities in Gene Editing · 13:18 - Regulatory Challenges · 16:24 - Cost Challenges in Genome Editing · 18:22 - Manufacturing and Delivery Innovations · 20:14 - Delivery Challenges and Innovations · 22:30 - Capsid Design and Blood-Brain Barrier · 24:01 - Viral vs. Non-Viral Delivery Systems · 27:19 - IP Limitations and CRISPR Variants · 30:31 - Target Selection for Therapeutics · 34:03 - Precise Repair Technologies · 37:03 - Off-Target Effects in Gene Editing · 42:31 - Genetic Instability in Edited Cells · 46:20 - Human Germline Engineering · 49:19 - CRISPR for Viral Cure · 51:27 - Regulatory Path Improvements · 54:20 - Balancing Speed and Safety · 57:03 - Advice for Future Scientists | |||
| Nabiha Saklayen: From Physics to Scalable Cell Therapies | 27 Apr 2026 | 01:01:42 | |
What does it actually take to manufacture biology at scale? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith sits down with Nabiha Saklayen, CEO and co-founder of Cellino, to explore the future of cell therapy manufacturing. Trained in physics and biophotonics, Nabiha is applying principles from semiconductor fabrication to one of the hardest problems in medicine: turning powerful cell therapies into scalable, reliable products. The conversation dives into the core challenges of iPSC variability, autologous versus allogeneic strategies, and why manufacturing remains the primary bottleneck preventing these therapies from reaching patients. Nabiha explains Cellino’s approach, combining AI, imaging, and laser-based systems to create a closed, automated platform for cell production. They also explore how AI is reshaping biology, how scientists are evolving into computational operators, and what the future lab looks like as automation and intelligence converge. From Artemis missions to the arrow of time in reprogramming, this episode connects physics, biology, and the long-term future of engineered life. This is a deep look at the infrastructure layer of biofuturism and what must be true for living medicines to reach the world at scale. 00:00 - The importance of curiosity and bold thinking in science and technology 00:11 - Nabiha Saklayen’s background and childhood fascination with space 02:01 - Her journey through physics, biophysics, and motivations behind her work 03:24 - Early influences from diverse cultures and educational choices 06:17 - How personal loss shaped her scientific focus on biomedicine 08:40 - Insights on Artemis moon mission and space biology innovations 12:27 - Inspiring the next generation: fostering curiosity in children 14:20 - AI as a tool for biology and the significance of large language models 17:03 - The origins of Cellino: applying light-based manufacturing methods 20:22 - Cellino’s optical bioprocess and steps toward clinical-scale production 22:23 - Addressing variability in iPSC reprogramming and quality control 26:32 - Regulatory milestones and FDA collaborations in advanced therapies 30:27 - The role of automation and dashboards in scalable cell manufacturing 36:52 - Visualizing the process from donor cell to differentiated therapy 40:35 - Maintaining sterility and process control in cell banking 45:40 - How AI interfaces with robotics and the role of scientists in automated development 46:04 - The physics of cell removal using bubbles and laser technology 49:20 - How AI and machine learning optimize manufacturing processes and data management 54:54 - Advice for students passionate about science and innovation 57:19 - Future of human creativity and AI partnership in work and art 59:05 - Speculating on the creation or existence of AGI and its first questions 1:00:03 - The influence of science fiction on Nabiha’s worldview and recommended books | |||
| Noah Davidsohn: Engineering Longevity at the Genetic Level | 20 Apr 2026 | 01:03:06 | |
What if aging is not a collection of diseases, but a system-level failure we can intervene in? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith sits down with Noah Davidsohn, co-founder and CSO of Rejuvenate Bio, to explore a new approach to longevity rooted in gene therapy and systems biology. Noah’s work focuses on treating aging at its source by rebalancing key biological pathways across the body. Instead of targeting one disease at a time, his team is developing combination gene therapies designed to improve function across multiple organs simultaneously. Rejuvenate Bio is currently raising on Wefunder. This is a rare opportunity to invest in a scaling biotech on the same terms as their VC partners. If our conversation resonated with you, this is your chance to join what Dr. Noah Davidsohn is building. Learn more and invest at wefunder.com/rejuvenatebio 00:00 - Replacing organs to reverse aging: science fiction or imminent reality 00:34 - Welcome to Galaxy Balance: exploring biology and AI frontiers 01:01 - Noah Davidson’s background and mission at Rejuvenate Bio 01:57 - Reprogramming biological systems for systemic healthspan extension 02:41 - The influence of sci-fi on Noah’s interest in space and longevity 03:38 - Space exploration's crossover with biological resilience 05:25 - The societal impact of science fiction on technological progress 07:55 - Addressing dystopian themes in modern sci-fi and their societal reflection 08:16 - The absence of longevity-focused sci-fi and Noah’s motivation 09:12 - Personal story: pet dog inspired Noah’s longevity work 10:33 - Origin of Rejuvenate Bio and its mission to treat aging 11:57 - Combining gene therapies targeting multiple age-related diseases 13:44 - The potential and limitations of epigenetic partial reprogramming 14:14 - Upcoming clinical trials and safety considerations for gene therapy 16:01 - Cyclic gene therapy and risks of permanent expression 17:43 - Inducible gene expression systems: safety and practical considerations 21:19 - Systemic, liver-targeted gene therapies: permanent vs. transient 22:33 - Strategies for pet therapies and expanding to human applications 25:47 - Manufacturing innovations reducing costs for wide-scale treatment 27:12 - Prophylactic use of gene therapies in pets and humans 29:08 - Targeting multiple diseases with a single systemic therapy 30:40 - Breeds at risk for mitral valve disease and targeted therapy efforts 33:42 - Disease-modifying treatments for fibrosis and heart failure 36:48 - How AAV vector delivery works and safety measures in tissue targeting 42:47 - Regulatory pathways for animal therapies and translational relevance 44:22 - Challenges in funding and VC environment for longevity startups 45:45 - The strategy of using animal models as a bridge to human therapies 50:05 - Future scientific directions: partial reprogramming and cell replacement tech 52:37 - The concept of longevity escape velocity and current progress 53:44 - Personal longevity practices: exercise, diet, sleep, stress management 55:27 - The role of biometric feedback devices in health monitoring 56:54 - Emerging modalities and innovative approaches in anti-aging research 58:24 - The ship of Theseus analogy for cell and tissue replacement 59:37 - Philosophical questions about consciousness and identity in aging 1:00:43 - Recommended sci-fi books for longevity and biotech enthusiasts 1:01:39 - Career advice for aspiring scientists and interdisciplinary innovation 1:02:45 - Wrap-up and best wishes for ongoing longevity breakthroughs | |||
| Tae Seok Moon: Engineering Biology at Planetary Scale | 06 Apr 2026 | 01:08:49 | |
Synthetic biology is entering a new phase where biology can be treated as an engineering discipline. In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith speaks with Dr. Tae Seok Moon, professor at the J. Craig Venter Institute and a leader in synthetic biology, about the long arc from reading DNA to eventually designing biological systems from first principles. Tae shares his unconventional path into science. As a student in Korea he originally wanted to be a poet before choosing chemistry and engineering. that early philosophical curiosity about existence ultimately drew him toward biology and the story of life emerging from molecules after the Big Bang. The conversation explores the evolution of synthetic biology through a literary metaphor. DNA sequencing allowed scientists to read the letters of life. Genome synthesis made it possible to write those letters. Gene editing introduced a way to revise existing text. Moon argues that most of modern biotechnology still resembles editing or copying nature rather than true creative writing in biology. Only recently have tools such as AI-guided protein design begun to generate entirely new biological "words." Moon also discusses the legacy of Craig Venter and the creation of the first cell controlled by a synthetic genome. That milestone demonstrated that digital DNA stored in a computer can be turned back into a functioning biological system, a reversal of sequencing that points toward a future where genomes become programmable substrates. The episode then moves into Moon's work at the intersection of space exploration and biotechnology. His team demonstrated that bacteria can produce the antioxidant lycopene in simulated microgravity using resources that would be available on the Moon or Mars. The system converts plastic waste into a carbon source and processes nutrients derived from human waste to fuel microbial production, a concept aimed at enabling sustainable life support systems during long-duration space missions. Beyond space exploration, Moon leads global collaborations focused on transforming waste streams into useful chemicals and materials. He argues that the constraints of space missions mirror the resource challenges facing Earth today, from plastic pollution to carbon emissions. Technologies developed for closed-loop life support in space may also help build circular bioeconomies of Earth. The conversation also tackles the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in biology, the future of scientific publishing, and the challenge of maintaining human creativity in an era of AI-generated research and communication. Moon reflects on what may remain uniquely human: genuine motivation, emotion, and the drive that comes from purpose and connection. The episode closes with a story about one of Moon's former students who overcame severe adversity and later helped lead the development of a COVID vaccine. For Moon, that journey captures the deeper motivation behind science. The next generation of researchers will face immense challenges, but their work will shape the technologies that improve life across the planet. This episode explores the frontier where biology becomes designable, where microbes may help sustain human life beyond Earth, and where the language of DNA may one day evolve from editing nature to composing entirely new forms of life. 0:00 - Introduction | |||
| Pranam Chatterjee: Programming Life with AI | 30 Mar 2026 | 01:01:00 | |
What if biology could be engineered the way we engineer software? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, I'm joined by Pranam Chatterjee, Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and leader of the Programmable Biology Group, working at the intersection of AI, synthetic biology, and next-generation therapeutics. Pranam's work is shaping a future where generative models can design peptides and biologics from sequence data alone, enabling a new era of programmable medicine. We explore how Pranam went from studying religion and philosophy to transferring into MIT and building cutting-edge computational tools for biology. We dive into his time in George Church's lab, where early computational strategies helped spark the origins of Gameto, and how that work evolved into today's iPSC-derived ovarian support cell technologies now entering clinical trials. From there, we go deep into the frontier of AI-driven molecular design: • Do we actually need protein structure to design effective therapeutics? • How do we optimize binding, toxicity, permeability, and immunogenicity simultaneously? • What does "virtual cell" really mean, and why does mapping cell states matter? • How close are we to "vibe coding biology," where natural language becomes the interface to biological engineering? We also discuss the future of automation, robotics, and agentic AI in biology, as well as the ethical risks of democratized generative models in biotech. This conversation is a window into the net phase of human capability: not just ready biology, but designing it. 00:00 - Introduction to AI-driven therapeutic peptide design | |||
| Jonathan Scheiman: Microbes of Elite Performance | 23 Mar 2026 | 01:01:49 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith speaks with Dr. Jonathan Scheiman, co-founder and CEO of FitBiomics, about the science of elite performance, microbiome discovery, and the future of metabolic health. Jonathan shares his journey from Division I basketball player to biomedicine PhD and postdoctoral researcher in the Church Lab, where unconventional ideas are encouraged and ambitious biology is the norm His central question was simple but radical: instead of studying disease, what if we studied peak human performance? That question led to a longitudinal study of Boston Marathon runners, where his team collected microbiome samples before and after intense endurance events. The data revealed a striking pattern. One microorganism, Veillonella, spiked in abundance immediately after the marathon Further analysis showed that this microbe uniquely metabolizes lactate and converts it into short-chain fatty acids such as propionate Lactate is often misunderstood as a fatigue molecule. In reality, it is a normal metabolic fuel. When produced in excess during intense exercise, it accumulates in the bloodstream. Scheiman’s work suggests that a portion of circulating lactate is shuttled to the gut, where Veillonella uses it as a carbon source, producing metabolites that may support mitochondrial function, muscle recovery, glucose utilization, and anti-inflammatory pathways The episode explores: • How elite athletes may represent a rare biological phenotype comparable in rarity to centenarians The conversation expands into longevity, mitochondrial efficiency, digital health integration, and the idea of FitBiomics as a biological data company rather than simply a probiotic brand Scheiman also reflects on science fiction, pop culture, and storytelling as forces that shape technological ambition, drawing connections between Marvel, AI, and biotechnology innovation This episode sits at the intersection of microbiome science, metabolic optimization, artificial intelligence, and the long-term future of human performance. If the biology of elite athletes can be decoded and translated, the implications extend far beyond sport.
00:00 - Introduction to microbiome insights for human performance | |||
| Yuanhao Qu: Programming Biology with AI | 16 Mar 2026 | 01:01:11 | |
Biology is becoming programmable. In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith speaks with Yuanhao Qu, President and Co-Founder of PhyloBio, about the emergence of AI driven biological discovery. Yuanhao represents a new generation of scientists who combine genome engineering with large language models to build systems that can reason about DNA and accelerate research across the life sciences. The conversation explores Yuanhao’s journey from early cancer research to developing CRISPR-GPT and Biomni, tools designed to help scientists design experiments, analyze data, and navigate the growing complexity of biological research. The discussion then moves to the founding of PhyloBio and the idea of an integrated biology environment where AI agents collaborate with human researchers. We examine the future of genome engineering, the challenges of delivering gene therapies, and how AI agents may soon assist in designing experiments, generating hypotheses, and exploring massive biological datasets. They also discuss the possibility of automated laboratories, the evolving role of scientists in an AI-augmented research ecosystem, and the ethical boundaries that must guide advances in synthetic biology. The episode closes with a discussion of science fiction, biosecurity, and the long term vision of AI systems that help humanity understand life at every scale. If biology becomes a language, the next frontier will belong to those who learn how to speak it. Phylo is a research lab developing cutting-edge agentic intelligence to accelerate discovery for biomedical scientists. They are building Biomni Lab, an integrated biology environment that leverages the latest AI to transform how biologists work. Explore it at biomni.phylo.bio Timestamps: 00:00 - Embracing rapid change and AI tools in biology | |||
| Marc Güell: AI, Synthetic Evolution, and the Future of Genome Engineering | 10 Mar 2026 | 01:05:14 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Marc Güell, a synthetic biologist working at the frontier of genome engineering, AI-driven biological design, and translational therapeutics. Marc's work spans programmable genome integration systems, synthetic evolution, and the development of biological tools that extend far beyond what natural evolution has produced. From his early training in chemistry and engineering to his time in the Church Lab at Harvard and now leading a research group in Barcelona, Marc's career reflects a consistent focus on building new biological technologies. The conversation explores how generative AI is reshaping genome writing, why engineering principles matter in biology, and what it takes to translate deep-tech synthetic biology into real-world applications. We also discuss the founding of Integra Therapeutics, engineering the skin microbiome as a therapeutic platform, and how imagination influences real life science. 00:00 - How AI enables exploration of unconstrained genotypical spaces in synthetic biology | |||
| Samira Kiani: Conscious Innovation at the Edge of Biotechnology | 03 Mar 2026 | 01:02:10 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Samira Kiani, a genetic engineer, entrepreneur, and science storyteller working at the intersection of genome engineering, regenerative biology, and human meaning. Samira's scientific work spans synthetic biology, immune modulation, and cellular rejuvenation, while her broader mission explores how innovation can remain aligned with ethics consciousness, and care. A former academic and DARPA Safe Genes investigator, Samira is the co-founder and CTO of HexemBio, where she is developing regenerative platforms inspired by early human development. Beyond the lab, she is the creator of Make People Better, an award-winning documentary examining the moral and societal implications of gene editing. This conversation explores authenticity in science, conscious innovation, the responsibility of power, and how the future of biotechnology depends as much on wisdom as capability. 00:00 - The philosophy of presence and being in the moment 02:15 - Origin story: From Iran to MIT in synthetic biology 04:23 - The art design in genetic engineering and synthetic biology as poetry 08:58 - Advice for young scientists feeling constrained by societal expectations 12:52 - Research journey at MIT: CRISPR and translating tech to clinics 15:51 - Ethical discussions in gene editing and public engagement 19:12 - Making "Make People Better": The moral dimensions of gene editing 22:01 - Reflection on the controversy of the first gene-edited babies 27:23 - Rethinking innovation culture and race for first publication 36:44 - Leaving academia: embracing authenticity and starting HexenBio 38:02 - HexemBio’s mission: rejuvenating cells with consciousness 43:24 - Origin stories of cells and connectedness in biology 45:58 - Her approach to science: exposing cells to youthful environments 47:54 - Leadership and empathy in building a conscious company 52:08 - Work-life balance: connecting with nature and spiritual practices 56:49 - The influence of science fiction: from dystopia to positive futures 1:00:15 - The philosophy of living in the present and trusting the universe | |||
| Christian Kramme: Rebuilding IVF with iPSC-Derived Support Cells | 23 Feb 2026 | 01:05:55 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Christian Kramme, Chief Scientific Officer of Gameto, a biotechnology company rethinking reproductive medicine through cell engineering, Christian's work focuses on using iPSC-derived ovarian support cells to improve IVF outcomes by enabling egg maturation outside the body, while avoiding genetic modification or implantation of stem cells into patients. Drawing from his training in the Church Lab at Harvard Medical School, Christian sits at the intersection of stem cell biology, translational medicine, and reproductive health. With Gameto's lead product now in Phase III clinical trials, this conversation explores how cell therapies can quietly reshape IVF, why process is often the true product in biotechnology, and what responsible innovation looks like when the stakes include future generations. 00:00 - Gameto’s iPSC product: First FDA phase three clearance in reproductive health 02:08 - Christian Kramme’s background and journey from Harvard to biotech founder 06:26 - How Gameto’s support cell approach differs from other reproductive biotech efforts 10:08 - Current IVF challenges and how support cells enable faster, less drug-dependent treatments 11:52 - Safety measures ensuring support cells do not transfer or integrate into embryos 17:24 - Donor cell line selection, GMP manufacturing, and consistency across lots 21:25 - Clinical trial outcomes so far and operational milestones for scale-up 25:25 - How clinical labs can integrate support cell therapies with existing IVF infrastructure 28:34 - Upcoming trial endpoints, patient recruitment, and next steps 30:52 - Advice for patients navigating infertility and importance of early intervention 34:39 - Ethical considerations in stem cell therapies and responsible innovation in reproductive medicine 40:50 - Expanding the platform: menopause, ovarian support, and beyond 50:29 - The future of support cells: potential in other organ systems and therapies 55:23 - Addressing genomic safety: vector choice and integration site analysis 62:25 - Science fiction influence on Christian’s scientific worldview and favorite authors/books 63:07 - Advice for young scientists: pursue impact, stay optimistic, and integrate diverse pathways | |||
| Kejun (Albert) Ying: Autonomous AI Agents, Decoding Aging | 16 Feb 2026 | 01:01:27 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith sits down with Kejun (Albert) Ying, a computational biologist and aging researcher working at the intersection of AI, protein design, and longevity science. Albert's work spans designing novel proteins never seen in nature, applying large-scale AI models to millions of RNA-seq samples, and uncovering potential anti-aging effects hidden in existing drugs. Splitting his time between the Baker Lab at the University of Washington and the Vies-Carre Lab at Stanford, Albert brings a rare systems-level perspective on how computation, biology, and experimentation can converge to tackle aging as an engineering problem. The conversation explores why aging became his central focus, how AI is reshaping biological discovery, and what it might take to meaningfully extend human healthspan. 00:00 - The integrated future of AI in daily life and science 02:19 - Introduction to Albert Ying’s background and research 04:17 - Inspiration from Aubrey de Grey and shifts toward computational biology 07:37 - Challenges with longitudinal aging data 11:16 - Large-scale analysis with AI for aging interventions 14:23 - Validation and regulatory pathways for aging biomarkers 14:43 - The concept of autonomous AI agents in scientific discovery 16:23 - How foundation models learn biology and their limitations 18:07 - The impact of protein structure prediction tools like AlphaFold 22:51 - Next steps after identifying promising aging interventions 27:21 - The vision of AI operating seamlessly in background science infrastructure 31:25 - The vision and mechanics of decentralized science with Avanasi Labs 36:39 - Data privacy, security, and ethical considerations for decentralized platforms 40:03 - Rethinking aging for better data collection and understanding 47:30 - Insights from long-lived mammals and comparative genomics 49:15 - Transitioning to a faculty role and research environment 50:55 - Broader scientific interests beyond aging and AI 52:23 - The search for extraterrestrial life and the Drake equation 54:10 - Influence of science fiction, Three Body Problem, and multi-generational narratives 57:38 - Career advice for young scientists in a changing landscape 59:16 - The evolving role of human skills amidst AI and automation | |||
| Merrick Smela: From Stem Cells to Eggs, Rewriting Fertility | 09 Feb 2026 | 01:14:41 | |
What if human eggs could be made outside the body, safely, reliably, and at scale? 00:00 - Introduction to Merrick Smela and IVG technology 01:28 - Merrick’s scientific background and career path 03:07 - Inspiration from early stem cell research and career milestones 09:00 - How transcription factors and meiosis are driven in vitro 15:00 - Screening strategies for high-fidelity egg development 20:00 - Diversity and variability in high-throughput cell screening 27:32 - Commercialization and scaling of stem cell reprogramming 33:34 - Ensuring egg functionality and safety ahead of clinical trials 36:03 - Timeline for in vitro conception and embryo development 41:14 - Safety protocols including non-human primate studies 47:15 - Societal causes for declining fertility and OVEL’s potential impact 48:46 - Supporting older donors and age-related reproductive technology 50:52 - Opportunities for gay men and reproductive diversity 53:53 - Ethical and regulatory landscape for germline modifications 1:02:24 - How AI and machine learning accelerate research 1:05:22 - Science fiction’s influence on ethical biotech development 1:08:48 - Maintaining work-life balance amid groundbreaking research 1:12:25 - Advice for young scientists tackling high-impact problems In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Merrick Smela, a scientist and entrepreneur working at the frontier of human reproduction. Merrick’s work focuses on in vitro gametogenesis (IVG): generating functional human eggs from stem cells as a potential next step beyond IVF. The conversation explores how eggs develop, why faithfully reproducing meiosis and epigenetic programming is one of the hardest challenges in biology, and how large-scale screening, single-cell genomics, and microscopy are being used to engineer developmental processes that normal occur deep inside the body. Merrick also shares the origin story and vision behind Ovelle, a biotech company aiming to expand reproductive options for people facing infertility. They discuss safety, regulation, cost, non-human primate validation, embryo quality control, and why IVG may eventually be more accessible and scalable than current fertility treatments. Zooming out, the episode tackles ethical questions around reproduction, selection versus editing, the role of AI in biology, and how science fiction shapes, and sometimes distorts, how society imagines the future or human reproduction. This is a deep dive into one of the most consequential technologies on the horizon: the ability to engineer human fertility itself. | |||
| Frank Li: From Images to Identity, Engineering Cell Fate with ML | 02 Feb 2026 | 01:01:57 | |
How do cells decide what they are, and can we deliberately control that process? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Frank Li, co-founder of Stately Bio, to explore the emerging frontier of cell identity engineering. Frank’s work sits at the intersection of developmental biology, synthetic biology, and therapeutic design, with a focus on understanding, and reprogramming, the molecular rules that govern cell fate. The conversation dives into how cell identity is established and maintained, why most cell therapies struggle with stability and reproducibility, and how a deeper understanding of developmental programs can enable more precise and durable engineered cell states. They discuss the vision behind Stately Bio, the challenge of translating complex biological control systems into scalable therapeutics, and what it means to move beyond “cell types” toward programmable cellular behaviors. Zooming out, the episode explores broader questions about control versus emergence in biology, how engineering mindsets are reshaping developmental biology, and what the next decade may bring for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. This is a conversation about building reliable biology, by learning how cells remember who they are. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro to Galaxy Balance and today's focus on cell engineering & AI innovation | |||
| Aubrey de Grey: Longevity Escape Velocity and the End of Aging | 27 Jan 2026 | 01:06:31 | |
Is aging inevitable, or is it an engineering problem waiting to be solved? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith is joined by Aubrey de Grey, one of the most influential and provocative thinkers in longevity science. Aubrey is best known for reframing aging not as a mysterious, untouchable process, but as the accumulation of specific, repairable forms of biological damage, and for arguing that rejuvenation, not slowing decline, is the most practical path forward. The conversation explores aging as a systems engineering problem, the concept of longevity escape velocity, and why repairing damage may be fundamentally easier than preventing it. They discuss stem cell replacement, senescent cell clearance, epigenetic programming, DNA damage, cancer as the central bottleneck, and how emerging technologies, including AI, may accelerate progress towards meaningful rejuvenation therapies. Beyond the science, Aubrey shares his perspective on why society struggles to imagine a positive post-aging future, how dystopian narratives shape public resistance, and why the fight against aging is ultimately a humanitarian mission rather than a personal one. This episode is a deep dive into the biology, philosophy, and engineering mindset behind one of the most ambitious goals in science: extending healthy human life by repairing the damage of time itself. | |||
| Devon Stork: Engineering microbes for a multi-planetary future | 19 Jan 2026 | 01:03:25 | |
What will it really take for humans to live beyond Earth? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith sits down with Devon Stork, synthetic biologist and founding member of Pioneer Labs, a nonprofit research institute advancing biotechnology for use in space. Devon’s work focuses on engineering microbes that can survive extreme extraterrestrial environments and transform local resources, like Martian regolith, into usable materials such as soil, building substrates, and biological infrastructure. The conversation explores why microbes, not humans, are likely to be the first true settlers on Mars; how in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) reshapes the economics and feasibility of space habitation; and why biology’s unique strengths, self-replication, adaptability, and subtle chemistry, make it essential for a multi-planetary future. We also dive into:
This episode blends hard science with speculative foresight, offering a grounded look at how life itself may become the foundation for humanity’s expansion beyond Earth. | |||
| Case Newsom: Psychedelics, Healing and the Future of Consciousness | 12 Jan 2026 | 01:01:44 | |
In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith sits down with Dr. Case Newsom, an emergency physician and pioneer in psychedelic medicine who helped shape Colorado’s therapeutic psychedelics legislation. The conversation explores why a single psychedelic experience can lead to lasting change, the neuroscience behind these effects, and the real risks that are often left out of public discussions. Case shares lessons from his work with the Zendo Project, providing peer support at festivals and events, and explains the principle of “sitting, not guiding” to create safe containers for difficult experiences without imposing interpretation. They dive into the tension between medicalization and legalization, why the FDA rejected MDMA-assisted therapy despite promising data, and how harm, trauma, and abuse can emerge in unregulated spaces. The discussion also examines why bringing psychedelics into regulated, transparent systems may be safer than keeping them underground. The episode goes further, connecting psychedelics to broader questions about consciousness, community, and the future of intelligence, including a speculative look at what a “psychedelic experience” might mean for artificial general intelligence. Along the way, they discuss emergency medicine, harm reduction, drug policy, and emerging data on psilocybin and longevity. This conversation is essential listening for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and anyone curious about consciousness, mental health, and how society navigates powerful transformative technologies. | |||
| Chris Bradley: Aging, Genome Instability, and the Information Theory of Aging | 06 Jan 2026 | 01:08:52 | |
Aging is often described as damage, wear and tear, or inevitable decline. But what if aging is better understood as a problem of lost biological information? In this episode of Galaxy Balance, Cory Smith speaks with Chris Bradley, a scientist focused on genome integrity and systems biology, about why maintaining genetic and epigenetic information may be central to extending human healthspan. The conversation explores how cells preserve. or fail to preserve, information over time, why DNA repair and genome stability may be underappreciated levers in aging, and what this framing implies for future interventions. We discuss how this information-theoretic view of biology reshapes how we think about longevity, why many aging strategies fail to scale, and what it would take to meaningfully slow or reverse age-related decline. Along the way, we examine the limits of current approaches, the tradeoffs between repair and replacement, and how first-principles thinking can clarify which longevity ideas are likely to matter long-term. This episode is a deep dive into aging as a systems problem, and what it would mean to preserve life’s information rather than simply treat its symptoms. Topics include:
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| George Church: AI, De-Extinction, Space Biology & the Future of Humanity | 10 Dec 2025 | 01:05:23 | |
In this debut episode of Galaxy Balance, host Cory Smith sits down with legendary geneticist and futurist George Church for a wide-ranging conversation on the edge of science and imagination. Together they explore the accelerating frontier of AI-driven biology, including protein design, scientific “superintelligence,” and the rise of automated science factories. George discusses the real state of de-extinction, from woolly mammoths to dire wolves, and the technologies Colossal Biosciences is building to save endangered species. The conversation also dives into the future of human reproduction, IVF breakthroughs, synthetic gametes, and the ethical landscape around editing human embryos. From mirror-life and biosafety to von Neumann probes, astrobiology, and the search for extraterrestrial life, this episode spans genomics, planetary science, and the future of intelligent civilizations. George also shares thoughts on AI risks, surveillance for biosecurity, his inspiration from science fiction, and what young scientists should focus on now. A deep, fast-moving, idea-packed episode with one of the most visionary minds in science. | |||