Andrew Hessel: Programming DNA - The Future of Synthetic Biology

Ted Hesser Podcast

Ted sits down with world class futurist and microbiologist Andrew Hessel in this episode, to discuss the future of Bioengineering, and programming life from its most fundamental unit, DNA. They discuss the architecture of DNA, its parallels with computer systems, and the potential of writing DNA from scratch. Key topics include synthetic viruses, and the need for global biosecurity measures, the transformative potential of nanotechnology, individualized medicine, and precision treatments in revolutionizing cancer care and combating antibiotic-resistant infections. They also delve into the evolution of bioengineering, digitizing laboratory procedures, and creating synthetic organisms. Future prospects such as biofoundries, space colonization, and enhancing human capabilities through neural engineering are envisioned, emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks, transparency, and global collaboration to harness these advancements safely.
04:01 Biology as a Molecular Computer 05:49 The Digital Nature of DNA 07:22 Programmable Genetic Code 08:56 The Complexity and Density of DNA 11:29 Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering 21:49 The Evolution of DNA Sequencing 25:23 The Rise of Synthetic Biology 33:05 The Future of Synthetic Biology 34:06 Engineering and Modeling Biological Systems 47:51 Synthetic Viruses and Their Applications 58:18 The Need for Transparency in Synthetic Biology 01:03:39 Hacking the President's DNA 01:04:24 Bioweapons and Cancer Biology 01:06:21 Collecting DNA from World Leaders 01:08:00 Raising Awareness About Virus Engineering 01:08:40 COVID-19: A Wake-Up Call 01:15:31 The Future of Biosecurity 01:27:16 Personalized Medicine and Cancer Treatment 01:42:20 Engineering the Environment 01:47:39 Space and Biotechnology 01:58:06 Building Sustainable Space Habitats 01:59:09 Elon Musk's Vision for SpaceX 01:59:34 Life Support Systems for Space 02:00:33 Biosphere 2: A Closed Ecosystem Experiment 02:02:51 Future of Human Evolution and Microbial Adaptation 02:05:09 Gene Editing and Human Cloning 02:07:23 IVF and the Future of Assisted Reproduction 02:30:39 Biohacking and Self-Experimentation 02:33:55 The Future of Bioengineering and AI 02:37:47 Digitizing Biology: The New Frontier 02:52:57 Mosquitoes as Drug Delivery Systems 02:53:58 Creative Energy in Bioengineering 02:57:09 Engineering Memory and Consciousness 03:00:18 Bioengineering and Neural Interfaces 03:05:39 The Human Genome Synthesis Project 03:15:27 Future of Synthetic Biology 03:23:02 Bioengineering for a Sustainable Future