Episode 4: From Microbiome to Macrobiome with Braden Tierney

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How does a fear of scuba diving transform into a career involving ocean microbes? Braden Tierney, the co-founder and executive director of the Two Frontiers Project, shares his incredible journey from studying the human microbiome to pioneering climate biotechnology. With a dual degree in biology and economics from Duke University and a PhD from Harvard Medical School, Braden’s fascinating story is one of overcoming personal fears and merging diverse skills to create a unique niche in environmental microbiology. His enriching experiences, from internships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to postdoctoral work at Weill Cornell Medical College, underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in groundbreaking research.

Listen as Braden discusses the strides made by the Two Frontiers Project, a nonprofit exploring life’s diversity in extreme environments like oceans and space. Learn about their groundbreaking research on carbon sequestering cyanobacterium and coral technology, including the discovery of a novel strain, which thrives in high CO2 environments and may hold the key to effective carbon sequestration. This episode illuminates the challenges and triumphs of pioneering research, from early setbacks to successful collaborations that push the boundaries of science and sustainability. Braden's insights into the cultivation of a living microbial database and the development of coral health technologies reveal a roadmap to address planetary-scale challenges.

2FP's innovative strategies and tight-knit collaboration underscore the balance between academic research and practical deployment, aiming to solve medium-term climate problems. This episode serves as an educational and inspirational guide for anyone passionate about harnessing biotechnology for a sustainable future. 

(00:00) Introduction to the Climate Biotech Podcast
(00:36) Meet Braden Tierney: A Journey in Biology
(01:54) Early Fascination with Science
(03:27) Diving into Marine Biology
(05:18) The Importance of Side Projects
(05:57) Combining Skills for Unique Research
(07:53) Academic Journey and Mentorship
(13:26) Postdoctoral Adventures in Space Biology
(15:25) The Two Frontiers Project: Oceans and Space
(17:22) Challenges and Innovations in Microbial Research
(22:13) Challenges in Environmental Sampling
(25:58) The CO2 Story: Promising Isolates
(29:33) Coral Reef Health and Technology
(32:22) Future Expeditions and Climate Biotech
(35:54) Building Expertise for Climate Solutions
(37:52) Skills and Opportunities in Climate Biotech
(40:58) Conclusion and Call to Action