Is the answer to sustainable chemical manufacturing floating in our oceans?

Ocean cyanobacteria, like plants, use sunlight as power to help them make complex chemicals. Traditional industrial chemistry requires a lot of power and can be quite polluting. Cyanobacteria are actually more efficient at producing high-value chemicals, while capturing carbon dioxide rather than releasing it.

In this episode I am joined by Tim Corcoran, Founder and CEO at Deep Blue Biotech, who's proving this remarkable claim with a novel approach. His company produces hyaluronic acid, a premium skincare ingredient, using nothing but CO2, sunlight, and seawater-based nutrients. For every tonne produced, approximately 7 tonnes of CO2 are captured. Ingredient costs drop by 50%, and it creates the world's first "ocean-derived" hyaluronic acid, which personal care companies are eager to market.

Beyond the compelling science, Tim reveals the strategic thinking that sets Deep Blue apart from failed synthetic biology startups. Rather than chasing commodity markets and competing on price and sustainability, they targeted expensive products first to prove their technology works and generate revenue quickly. We explore the practical realities of photobioreactor design, genetic engineering challenges, and scaling from 5-litre lab batches to 100,000-litre industrial facilities.

This venture extends beyond skincare. By starting with high-value products, Deep Blue is building toward their ultimate goal: producing butanol biofuels that could transform Europe's automotive industry while avoiding the land-use competition that plagues ethanol production.

" Start with something expensive, be competitive quickly, then explore higher-impact molecules.." – Tim Corcoran

You'll Hear About

• Fast-growing ocean cyanobacteria discovered near Singapore
• Why expensive hyaluronic acid beat commodity biofuels
• Photobioreactors: growing bacteria with light and CO2
• Genetic engineering to optimize microbial metabolism
• 50% cost reduction plus 7 tonnes CO2 captured
• Scaling from lab to 1,000 litres in Portugal
• Technology licensing instead of manufacturing company
• Personal care's lower regulatory barriers versus pharma
• Managing runway while raising £3-4 million seed round
• £25 million Series A for commercial-scale production
• Future applications: butanol biofuels for European cars
• Portugal versus Iceland for photobioreactor facilities

Connect with Tim Corcoran

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-corcoran-5b10121/

Website - https://deepbluebiotech.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

What if the solution to chronic wound healing has been floating in our oceans for 600 million years?

Jellyfish collagen isn't just different from the cow and pig-derived materials used in medicine today. It's actually better at healing human tissue.

I sit down with Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Jellagen, who's proving this remarkable claim with hard data. His research shows jellyfish collagen outperforms traditional materials in vocal fold repair, triggers faster transitions from inflammation to healing, and creates longer-lasting tissue structure. The secret lies in what Andrew calls "collagen type zero," an evolutionarily ancient form that our bodies recognise differently, prompting superior healing responses without the prolonged inflammatory reactions seen with mammalian sources.

Beyond the compelling science, Andrew reveals how he built the world's first ISO-certified medical device manufacturing plant for jellyfish collagen from scratch. We explore the practical realities of sustainable harvesting (achieving near-zero bycatch), navigating FDA regulations for an entirely novel biomaterial, and convincing investors to back marine biotechnology.

This venture extends beyond the laboratory. By harvesting jellyfish blooms caused by overfishing, Jellagen addresses an ecological problem while creating advanced wound care solutions and providing alternative income for local fishing communities struggling with depleted fish stocks.

"The jellyfish collagen transition to healing was much quicker and longer lasting." - Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg

You'll Hear About

• Why jellyfish collagen outperforms mammalian collagen in tissue healing
• The challenges of building ISO-certified jellyfish manufacturing
• How ancient collagen triggers better immune responses
• Sustainable harvesting methods with near-zero bycatch
• Translating marine biology research into medical devices
• The cost of chronic wound management in healthcare
• Navigating the FDA regulatory pathway for novel biomaterials
• Supporting local fishing communities through jellyfish harvesting
• From angel investment to medical device commercialization
• Platform opportunities beyond wound healing applications

Connect with Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-m-006bb41/

Website - https://jellagen.co.uk/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Can neuroscience finally catch up with the complexity of mental illness?

Society faces a huge and growing burden from mental illness and impairment. Schizophrenia, for example, is a bigger socioeconomic burden than all cancers put together.

We have medicines for some of these conditions, but typically they work well for some, not at all for many, and cause side-effects for others. One of medicine's greatest challenges has been identifying exactly which patients will benefit from a treatment before they even start their pills.

In this episode I am joined by Jenny Barnett, neuroscientist and CEO of Monument Therapeutics, to explore one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine: how to develop truly effective treatments for complex, multi-factorial mental health conditions like schizophrenia and cognitive impairment.

Jenny shares the work they are doing on neuroscience drug development, revealing how Monument Therapeutics is using cognitive tests and precision psychiatry to target pharmaceutical treatments more effectively.

She explains why the current "one-size-fits-all" model of psychiatric medication is failing patients, and how a diagnostic-therapeutic approach could transform lives and health systems alike.

We discuss the state of funding for the research, clinical trial challenges and bottlenecks, and the urgent economic and social need for accessible mental health solutions.

Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into the next frontier of neuroscience.

“Schizophrenia costs society more than all cancers put together.” – Jenny Barnett

You’ll hear about:

● How digital biomarkers are revolutionising psychiatric drug development and patient selection

● Why current mental health medications only work for one-third of patients

● The groundbreaking computer-based tests that rats and humans can both perform

● How Monument Therapeutics is targeting cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients

● The staggering economic impact of mental health disorders on society

● Why precision psychiatry could catch up neuroscience to cancer treatment advances

Connect with Jenny Barnett

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-barnett-4b035826/

Website - https://monumenttx.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Forget drilling—what if diesel could be grown instead?

In this episode we head into the world of engineered biology with Paul Beastall, CEO of HutanBio. He explains how his team is cultivating an oil-rich microalgae, previously unknown to science, that thrives in desert heat, tolerates high salinity, and could transform the future of sustainable fuel.

From modular algae farms that resemble vineyards more than refineries, to carbon-negative bio-oil ready for aviation, shipping, and long-haul transport, this is a story of breakthrough biology meeting global-scale energy challenges.

Paul breaks down the tech, the economic viability, and why scale, not science, is now the final hurdle.

We need to move away from fossil fuel dependence, and with electrification or hydrogen fuels a system that requires huge industrial change this could be a transition technology that words.

Curious how a startup of 15 is challenging the oil industry? Listen now and find out.

“This isn’t just green fuel—it’s a carbon-negative replacement for fossil diesel.” – Paul Beastall

You’ll hear about:

· HutanBio’s focus on using microalgae to produce sustainable fuels.

· The need for sustainable fuels being increasingly recognised globally.

· How microalgae can absorb CO2 while growing, making it carbon negative.

· Innovative growth techniques include using photobioreactors for efficiency.

· How harvesting involves separating oil from biomass for fuel production.

· Why the economics of sustainable fuels are challenging but necessary for the green economy.

· The carbon footprint of algae-based fuels is significantly lower than fossil fuels.

· Funding is crucial for scaling up production and achieving business goals.

Connect with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbeastall/?originalSubdomain=uk

Website - https://hutanbio.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

What if the future of computing isn’t silicon... but neurons?

In this episode, we explore a radical new frontier where biology and technology come together — programming living neurons as processors.

I am joined by Dr. Ewelina Kurtys of FinalSpark, a pioneering scientist bridging neuroscience and AI. We unpack the astonishing potential of bioprocessors—miniaturised clusters of human neurons that can process and store data while consuming a fraction of the energy traditional systems demand.

Evelina reveals how her team is learning to "program" neurons using electrical and chemical signals to store information — not to replicate the brain, but to unlock new, energy-efficient forms of computing.

We cover the challenges of working with living cells, how neuron-based processors may outpace silicon chips in energy efficiency, and what it means for AI, medicine, and beyond.

From sci-fi to serious science, this episode pushes the limits of what's possible in computational neuroscience.

“We’re building processors from living cells.” – Dr. Ewelina Kurtys

You’ll hear about:

· Neurons being significantly more energy efficient than traditional computing methods.

· How FinalSpark aims to program neurons to perform computational tasks.

· Why maintaining the health of neurons in a lab setting is crucial for research.

· Investment being needed to accelerate the development of neuronal computing.

· Ways neuronal computing has potential applications in drug development and brain interfaces.

· Ethical considerations arise when discussing programming living neurons.

· The future of computing may involve a blend of biological and digital technologies.

Connect with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys/

Website - https://www.ewelinakurtys.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Three-quarters of women report that menstrual symptoms impact their daily performance, yet until recently, no one had looked at the brain's role in these symptoms.

In this eye-opening episode I am joined by Emilė Radytė, PhD—Harvard and Oxford-trained neuroscientist, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and co-founder/CEO of Samphire Neuroscience.

Emilė reveals how a woman's brain during PMS can actually resemble that of someone with depression—with measurable neurological changes that affect mood, decision-making, and pain perception.

She shares the fascinating development of Nettle, a groundbreaking medical device that uses gentle brain stimulation technology to address both the mental and physical symptoms of PMS.

We explore why women's health issues that don't affect fertility or mortality have been historically neglected, despite severely impacting quality of life. Emilė discusses her mission to help women maintain consistency in exercise routines, workplace performance, and emotional well-being throughout their cycles.

Listen now to discover how neuroscience is finally addressing what 76% of women experience monthly but have been told to "just deal with"—and what's next for this pioneering technology.

“Women's brains during PMS look similar to those of depressed patients..” – Emilė Radytė

You’ll hear about:

· How Nettle uses low-current neuromodulation to "train" the brain rather than overwrite it

· The clinical trials showing 97% efficacy rates among real-world users

· The engineering challenges of designing for diverse women's needs and hair types

· The rigorous EU medical device certification process it underwent

Connect with Emilė Radytė:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eradyte/

Samphire Neuro - https://samphireneuro.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Produced by Between Tracks Media Productions - https://www.betweentracks.com/

Electrical monitoring and stimulation could revolutionise diagnosis and treatment for some of the most aggressive brain cancers and intractable neurological diseases.

In glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain tumour that is hard to treat and almost invariably fatal, the impacts of an effective treatment would be huge.

My guest in this episode, Dr Elise Jenkins, is working with a new class of therapeutic brain-computer-interface (BCI) that can measure and disrupt neural signalling within the body. With this technology she and her team are creating breakthroughs in new materials and electronics to develop safe, minimally invasive interfaces to interact with the complex biology of the brain. That will lead to earlier detection of new tumours, and could pave the way for new treatments.

Elise shares her journey from aspiring medical doctor to electrical engineer to leading a neurotechnology startup. She discusses the many difficult challenges of engineering tiny bioelectronic devices, and the importance of understanding brain activity in cancer progression for them to be a success.

We also touch on regulatory hurdles, funding strategies, and the future potential of the technology in both cancer and non-cancer applications.

Elise and her team are looking to create a new approach to healthcare which will change the lives of millions.

“We're looking at how to slow down cancer growth.” – Elise Jenkins

You’ll hear about:

01:06 - Elise Jenkins and OptoBioSystems

02:30 - Elise's Journey into Science and Engineering

05:42 - Understanding Bioelectronics and Neural Interfaces

09:01 - Exploring Glioblastoma and Its Challenges

12:18 - Measuring Brain Activity and Cancer Progression

16:30 - The Role of Implants in Cancer Treatment

19:14 - Engineering Challenges in Medical Devices

22:57 - Wireless Power and Data Transmission Innovations

25:20 - Regulatory Considerations for Medical Devices

28:14 - Future Directions and Broader Applications

33:24 - Funding and Company Development

Connect with Elise Jenkins:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-jenkins-/

Opto - https://www.opto.bio/

Find out about opportunities with Opto - https://www.opto.bio/team

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Imagine that we could make tissues indistinguishable from those produced by humans or animals, at will, and at comparable cost to the natural products. With the rate of progress being made, it won’t be imaginary much longer.

If we don’t need to kill animals for food, leather, or other products, then we reduce animal suffering. We increase biodiversity because we don’t need to devote huge land areas to feed farm animals. And we help climate change - the meat industry is a huge contributor to greenhouse gases.

This dream needs more than cultivated cells. We need to organise them into tissues, with multiple cell types in the correct places and doing the right things.

Directing cells to organise into tissue structures such as leather, corneas and cultivated meat has huge implications for medicine, fashion and the food industry.

Che Cannon joins me in this episode to share his work in this area. Che is the CEO of BSF Enterprise PLC, and we delve into the intersection of science and business in developing innovative technologies such as this.

Che shares the complexity of tissue mechanics and the advantages of bottom-up methods over traditional top-down approaches. We also talk about the environmental benefits and ethical considerations of alternative leathers and cultivated meats.

Additionally, Che explains the progress that has been made on the medical device front with corneal repair.

On the business side, we also cover the unusual step by the company to raise funds by listing on the stock exchange.

There are many practical applications of these technologies, and they are surely the future of sustainable materials in various industries, making these developments hugely important.

“Cultivated meat has a good purpose and can lift lots of technologies.” – Che Connon

You’ll hear about:

01:11 Exploring Cell and Material Interaction

03:30 Tissue Engineering and Its Applications

06:22 The Science Behind Lab-Grown Leather

15:31 Cultivated Meat: Innovations and Challenges

20:41 Macromolecular Crowding in Cell Culture

25:27 The Future of Cultivated Meat

28:49 Market Opportunities in Asia

31:46 Corneal Repair Technology

36:06 BSF Enterprise: A Unique Path to Funding

40:01 Future Directions in Research and Development

Connect with Che Connon:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/checonnon/

3D Bio-Tissues - https://www.3dbiotissues.com/

Kerato - https://kerato.co.uk/

BSF Enterprise - https://bsfenterprise.com/

Connect with me:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/

If you need any lab equipment:

Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/