Galaxy Balance

Cory Smith
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  • LIFE SCIENCES

Galaxy Balance explores the frontier where biology, technology and consciousness meet. Each episode brings together pioneers shaping our collective future, from genome engineers and AI builders to longevity researchers, space explorers, and mindfulness practitioners. Hosted by Cory Smith, the conversations dive deep into how these seemingly distant fields form an interconnected ecosystem, one that balance innovation with introspection, science with spirit, and ambition with awareness. At its core, Galaxy Balance is about integration; the idea that our greatest leaps forward happen when disciplines collide. The same algorithms that decode galaxies can help us understand genomes; the same principles that govern consciousness can illuminate AI. Through long-form, unscripted dialogue, the show invites listeners to zoom out from the silos of specialization and see the larger pattern: a living system of intelligence evolving across scales – molecular, planetary, and cosmic.

  1. 6 APR

    Tae Seok Moon: Engineering Biology at Planetary Scale

    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 1:01 - Tae Seok Moon Background 2:34 - From Poet to Scientist 8:26 - DNA as Language & Creation 12:37 - Synthetic Cells & Venter 18:31 - Microbes in Space 25:47 - ISS & Space Experiments 29:22 - Closed Ecosystems Challenge 32:25 - Solving Global Problems 37:44 - Science Fiction Influence 40:36 - AI in Synthetic Biology 50:38 - Future of Scientific Publishing 1:01:10 - Advice for Young Scientists

    1hr 9min

  2. 30 MAR

    Pranam Chatterjee: Programming Life with AI

    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 01:05 - Background of Pranam Chatterjee's journey from religion to science 02:50 - The evolution of AI models in synthetic biology 05:17 - Key milestones: from modeling to clinical applications like Gameto 08:19 - The founding story of Gameto and major breakthroughs 12:20 - Expanding into disease targeting and regenerative medicine 17:50 - The shift to virtual cell and organism design 22:16 - Tools for peptide design: Peptune and PEPMLM 25:04 - Generative modeling with language models and functional constraints 28:32 - Imagining programmable organisms and mythical creatures 29:41 - Hardware importance and future of vibe-coded biology 31:54 - The role of automation and robotics in biotech labs 33:47 - Mentoring students for the AI-biotech revolution 36:50 - Targeting rare diseases and regulatory considerations 40:34 - Global competition, safety, and ethics in biotech innovation 44:44 - Designing molecules with AI: from complexity to deliverability 45:09 - Data needs: where to find diverse biological datasets 47:49 - The rise of AI agents in scientific research 50:12 - Ethical responsibilities in AI bioengineering 52:38 - Safeguards against harmful biotech applications 55:22 - Thoughts on artificial general intelligence and human purpose 58:40 - How science fiction inspires biotech innovation 1:00:13 - Book recommendations and closing thoughts

    1hr 1min

  3. 23 MAR

    Jonathan Scheiman: Microbes of Elite Performance

    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 • Why the microbiome can shift rapidly in response to exercise intensity • The challenges of culturing and scaling strict anaerobic microbes for commercialization • The regulatory pathway differences between therapeutic microbiome interventions and consumer health products • How AI and machine learning enabled the discovery of novel microbial signals in complex datasets 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 02:20 - Personal journey from sports to biotech innovation 05:28 - How elite athletes inspired microbiome research 09:04 - Approaching human performance limits and societal health impacts 13:48 - Early discoveries: microbiome sampling from Boston Marathon runners 27:19 - The breakthrough finding: Vianella's role in fatigue and endurance 30:19 - Scientific steps to isolate and validate Vianella 33:29 - Regulatory considerations for microbiome supplements versus therapeutics 36:04 - Prevalence of Vianella across different athletes and individuals 40:51 - Microbiome as a dynamic, modifiable biomarker for health and sport 45:37 - Metabolism, mitochondria, and longevity interconnected through microbiome dynamics 49:16 - Influences of science fiction on biotech imagination and vision 57:39 - Future applications: wearables, continuous monitoring, and AI in microbiome health 1:00:46 - Vision for FitBiomics’ role in health innovation and societal impact

    1hr 2min

  4. 16 MAR

    Yuanhao Qu: Programming Biology with AI

    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 Phylo is also actively hiring. Learn more at phylo.bio/careers Timestamps: 00:00 - Embracing rapid change and AI tools in biology 02:24 - Yuanhao’s background and motivation to cure cancer 04:11 - Analyzing complex diseases with genomics and AI 07:25 - Switching focus to AI-guided discovery and CRISPR engineering 12:13 - Building and deploying CRISPR-GPT to democratize gene editing design 16:23 - How AI enhances the role of scientists rather than replacing them 20:52 - The story behind PhiloBio and its vision to accelerate biotech innovation 24:01 - Developing BioOmni: an AI environment for biological research 28:21 - The future of AI in autonomous labs and the challenge of human-in-the-loop systems 36:33 - Ensuring safety and predicting oncogenic risk in genome engineering 42:49 - Advances needed in delivery mechanisms for gene therapies 45:02 - Insights into human intelligence evolution and AI’s role in discovery 51:04 - The significance of memory, personalization, and continuous learning in AI agents 55:06 - Ethical dilemmas in human germline modification and societal impacts 58:30 - Speculations on life’s prevalence in the universe and the Dark Forest hypothesis 59:46 - Advice for aspiring scientists eager to innovate with AI

    1hr 1min

  5. 10 MAR

    Marc Güell: AI, Synthetic Evolution, and the Future of Genome Engineering

    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 02:18 - Dr. Guell’s childhood in the Pyrenees fueling his passion for building and discovery 03:14 - From organic chemistry to synthetic genome engineering at Heidelberg and Harvard 05:33 - Recent advances in genome editing: CRISPR, xenotransplantation, and deep tech biotech startups 09:48 - The coming revolution: speaking DNA with AI tools and designing complex genetic circuits 12:30 - Navigating the vast, unconstrained genetic landscape using synthesis-free, AI-guided methods 15:44 - Exploring the complexity of splicing, gene regulation, and the role of AI in modeling biological systems 20:31 - Improving protein design and gene writing with coupled CRISPR and transposases 22:58 - Using AI-generated transposases surpassing natural biodiversity and expanding genotypic networks 27:09 - Strategies for safe, targeted insertions in gene therapy and cell engineering safety sites 30:20 - The mission of Integrate Therapeutics: commercializing AI-driven transposon technologies for cell therapies 34:50 - Challenges facing biotech startups and the need for strategic, cautious growth 39:42 - Engineering skin microbiomes for health and aesthetic applications, from acne to inflammation sensing 44:38 - The incredible potential of microbiome modulation for systemic health and space travel applications 46:46 - Ethical and safety considerations for AI-designed proteins and synthetic biology innovations 49:48 - Cross-cultural perspectives in science: Europe, the US, and China’s unique approaches and collaboration opportunities 51:59 - Automation and AI in experimental biology: new paradigms for high-throughput, in-silico evolution 55:18 - The impact of AI assistants and knowledge agents in accelerating scientific discovery 59:20 - The influence of science fiction: predicting and inspiring future biotechnologies 1:01:23 - Contemplating the nature of life, complexity, and the role of AI in understanding biology’s mysteries 1:04:25 - The power of imagination and science fiction in shaping the next generation of biotech breakthroughs

    1hr 5min

  6. 3 MAR

    Samira Kiani: Conscious Innovation at the Edge of Biotechnology

    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

    1hr 2min

  7. 23 FEB

    Christian Kramme: Rebuilding IVF with iPSC-Derived Support Cells

    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

    1hr 6min

  8. 16 FEB

    Kejun (Albert) Ying: Autonomous AI Agents, Decoding Aging

    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

    1hr 1min
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About

Galaxy Balance explores the frontier where biology, technology and consciousness meet. Each episode brings together pioneers shaping our collective future, from genome engineers and AI builders to longevity researchers, space explorers, and mindfulness practitioners. Hosted by Cory Smith, the conversations dive deep into how these seemingly distant fields form an interconnected ecosystem, one that balance innovation with introspection, science with spirit, and ambition with awareness. At its core, Galaxy Balance is about integration; the idea that our greatest leaps forward happen when disciplines collide. The same algorithms that decode galaxies can help us understand genomes; the same principles that govern consciousness can illuminate AI. Through long-form, unscripted dialogue, the show invites listeners to zoom out from the silos of specialization and see the larger pattern: a living system of intelligence evolving across scales – molecular, planetary, and cosmic.

Information

  • Creator
    Cory Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Cory Smith
  • Show Website
    Galaxy Balance
  • Provider

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