DeSci Ep # 6: Commercializing Science for Climate Solutions—with George Church & Ben Lamm of Colossal

In academia, most scientists publish their ideas and stop there. But if we want our breakthroughs to benefit society, we have to take it a step further. 

So, what does it look like to commercialize scientific research? What mindset do academics need to work at the intersection of science and industry?

Ben Lamm has a career of building successful deep tech businesses, and George Church has a career of commercializing academic science. 

Together, they are the cofounders of Colossal, a breakthrough bioscience and genetic engineering company that is pioneering animal de-extinction technology to restore lost ecosystems for a healthier planet. 

On this episode of Boost VC, Ben and George join us to explain how bringing back the woolly mammoth addresses climate change and explore their approach to the ethical concerns around de-extinction.

They discuss the benefits of Colossal technology beyond Arctic rewilding, describing how their work helps endangered animals and promotes conservation.

Listen in for Ben and George’s insight on commercializing science and learn how to get comfortable enough with risk to turn academic ideas into industry.

Topics Covered

How George defines science

• Predict and create new options for humanity
• Goal to build better world

Why Ben & George are bringing back the woolly mammoth

• Restore previous ratio of grass to trees
• Sequester carbon at rate only possible in Arctic

How Ben & George approach the ethical concerns re: de-extinction

• Believe in radical transparency
• Learn from negative feedback, people who question

Why George works at the intersection of academia and industry

• Likes to work with curious young people
• Exposure to diversity of ideas

Why Colossal needs government collaboration and support

• Several governments, Indigenous groups in Arctic
• Climate change, biodiversity and species preservation

How woolly mammoths promote carbon removal

• Knock down trees so more grass can grow
• Cold, Arctic grasslands sequester carbon particularly well

The benefits of Colossal technology beyond Arctic rewilding

• Eradicate EHV virus in elephants
• Promote species conservation

How Ben & George think about commercializing science

• Go beyond publication to help society
• Feedback from investors and academia

What makes Ben & George’s partnership work

• George’s lab provides idea from academic study
• Ben figures out product-market fit and funding

George’s advice to academics on commercializing products

• Can’t be afraid of failure
• Can come back from bankruptcy

How Ben & George think about taking big risks

• Ben believed grandmother saying he could do anything
• Academic failures taught George he would survive

The impact Ben & George hope to make with Colossal

• Ex utero development, species preservation
• Thousands of Arctic elephants to sequester carbon
• Advancements in reading and writing of genomes

How Ben & George define success

• Benefit society, facilitate survival of species
• Create things that are additive

Connect with George Church & Ben Lamm

Colossal https://colossal.com

Colossal on Twitter https://twitter.com/ItIsColossal

Colossal on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itiscolossal/

Colossal on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itiscolossal/

George on Twitter https://twitter.com/geochurch

Ben on Twitter https://twitter.com/federallamm

Resources

Citizen Science https://www.citizenscience.gov/#

Personal Genome Project https://www.personalgenomes.org/

How to Grow (Almost) Anything https://www.media.mit.edu/courses/htgaa/

DIYbio https://diybio.org/

Church Lab https://arep.med.harvard.edu/

Hypergiant https://www.hypergiant.com/

Pleistocene Park https://pleistocenepark.ru/

Chris Mason Author Talk https://mitpress.mit.edu/blog/author-talk-the-next-500-years-by-christopher-e-mason/

Prehistoric Planet https://tv.apple.com/us/show/prehistoric-planet/umc.cmc.4lh4bmztauvkooqz400akxav

Connect with Boost VC

Boost VC Website https://www.boost.vc/

Boost VC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boostvc/

Boost VC on Twitter https://twitter.com/BoostVC

Boost VC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boost_vc/