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How to build a factory to automate processes, Scaling DNA circuits tests to be able to be done in under 30 minutes,  why now is the prefect time for Cell Free to exist, a bit on his founding story and struggles, and great rapid fire questions at the end!

 

CEO of Cell Free and Director of Open Cell Dr.Thomas Meany

“As a former interdisciplinary Research Fellow at Cambridge, Tom spent his career working closely and across academia, industry, nanoelectronics & synthetic biology.“ From Website

 

 

 

Cell Free 

“we develop practical tools for industry, researchers and individuals who wish to test and trial biological circuits. Our technology allows users to test a DNA circuit in as little as 30 minutes without any laboratory infrastructure. This completely revolutionises how one can conduct experiments. Instead of testing tens of recombinant DNA samples in cell culture over the course of a few days, you can now trial thousands of variants in a few hours. This data and detailed understanding of how bio-circuits work allow us to design practical technologies as biological sensors and materials that can be incorporated into tangibles like wearables and smart devices.We are hiring for wetlab and programming roles. Get in touch! info@cell-free.tech” from website

 

Open Cell

From a great Article write at Synbiobeta on Open cell ” Open Cell is a new collaborative space for bio designers in Shepherd’s Bush London. It aims to support the London ecosystem of designers and scientists specializing on incorporating new biological techniques into material development. It’s a unique space, composed of modular mixed use areas including labs, studios and workshops. Open Cell is located within 45 shipping containers adjacent to Shepherd’s Bush Market. The team is building the space from the bottom up with a user-centric approach.” Article link. There is a lot more to the story in the link. Check them out. 

Links/Sources

Website Cell Free 

Open Cell Website

Thomas Linkedin

Article link.

Facebook link

Twitter link

Hyperlinked Timestamped Show Notes

1. [ 01:10 ] How he divides his time between Cell Free and Open Cell.
2. [ 01:50 ] He explains how he is able to be the Director of one and the CEO of the other.
3. [ 02:20 ] Why he choose to separate them legally instead of making them like Google under Alphabet.
4. [ 03:06 ] The rocket science aspect of Cell Free (2 key big things).
5. [ 04:40 ] He explains some of the scaling issues he has had to overcome and how he overcame them.
6. [ 06:04 ] The timing question. Basically, why he choose now to build Cell Free.
7. [ 09:40 ] I ask what a lab cloud is, what his facility looks like, and he explains it.
8. [ 11:34 ] How people send over samples (i.e. you do not have to send over live samples).
9. [ 12:30 ] What about him would be surprising to learn (i.e. he built a small quantum computer).
10. [ 13:16 ] What he wants to build and work on moving forward (5-10 year project).
11. [ 14:50 ] Answering what’s getting in the way of scaling, and where things are going.
12. [ 16:30 ] He explains what the error rate is like, and to what extent it is a concern.
13. [ 18:30 ] The above section continued.
14. [ 20:00 ] We talk about his plans to create a type of factory (i.e. automation).
15. [ 22:40 ] How close he is to Ramen profitability and his thoughts on the business side of things.
16. [ 23:23 ] The partnerships and team members he is looking for (characteristics, etc).
17. [ 24:50 ] The hard coded things he needs applicants to have.
18. [ 27:14 ] We finished talking about the dream team. He answers what a nightmare would look like.
19. [ 28:05 ] How he differentiates how to find the dream team members versus the potential nightmare members.
20. [ 29:49 ] Recommended books (Guerilla Days in Ireland, BioBuilder (reading now), Switch Bitch).
21. [ 31:32 ] What he does for fun, and what he shares in common with Dr. Doudna (CRISPR).
22. [ 32:42 ] Common mistakes he sees people making.
23. [ 33:44 ] What keeps him up at night.
24. [ 34:08 ] Best ways to follow along, apply to jobs with Cell Free, and to get his attention.