Virtual Mitochondrial Models and the Case for Engineering Humans with Mariëlle van Kooten

Mariëlle van Kooten (CEO and co-founder of Powerhouse Biology) joins to make the case that mitochondria are the best place to start engineering the human body. Her team builds virtual mitochondria models to predict how a fix will behave before it ever touches a patient. Marielle is passionate about treating disease and human enhancement. In this episode, we discuss:Why mitochondria might be the most tractable place to start engineering human biologyThe difference between building a virtual mitochondria model and the industry-wide race to build a virtual cellWhy a protein fix for one disease (say, Parkinson's-linked muscle weakness) could work across totally unrelated tissuesThe difference between Science vs. Engineering: why she left academiaThe case for human enhancement: longevity, resilience, and why the ethics conversation is stalledCredits:Created by Greg Kubin and Matias SerebrinskyHost: Matias and GregProduced by Nico V. ReyFind us at businesstrip.fm and psymed.venturesFollow us on Instagram and Twitter!Theme music by Dorian LoveAdditional Music: Distant Daze by Zack Frank