What role does biotechnology play in solving the climate crisis? Join us as we spotlight Ahmed Badran, assistant professor at the Scripps Research Institute and a leader in climate biotech innovation. Ahmed is a recipient of Homeworld Collective's Garden Grants for Protein Engineering.

Ahmed shares his journey, from growing up in Egypt in a family of scientists to becoming a pioneer in engineering enzymes for climate solutions.

We dive into the fascinating intersection of machine learning, synthetic biology, and climate innovation, spotlighting Rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis with untapped potential. Ahmed unpacks his research on enhancing Rubisco’s efficiency and its revolutionary implications for carbon capture and climate sustainability.

Ahmed also offers insights for aspiring biotechnologists, sharing advice on bridging computational and chemical expertise and the value of tackling bold, ambitious projects. Tune in for a closer look at the work happening at Scripps Research and the future of climate biotech.

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:50) Meet Ahmed Bajran: A Rising Star in Climate Biotech
(01:49) Ahmed's Unique Background and Early Influences
(03:29) Academic Journey and Early Research
(05:33) Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Insights
(07:30) David Liu's Lab and Complex Problem Solving
(11:54) Garden Grant Proposal: Tackling Climate Change
(16:04) Rubisco and Carbon Capture Innovations
(22:51) Advanced Genetic Engineering Techniques
(31:08) Future of Synthetic Biology and Final Thoughts
(34:04) Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

Send us a text