Listen "BioWorks 20: Building Software for Biology with Nicholas Larus-Stone"
Episode Synopsis
In which Nicholas Larus-Stone, co-founder of Sphinx Bio, discusses the future of “software-defined biology” and how his startup is accelerating scientists’ research by streamlining the process of experimental design, data processing, and data analysis. He also shares his experience working as a software engineer at early- to mid-sized biotech companies as well as the story behind Bits in Bio, a community dedicated to researchers, developers, and those interested in the intersection of software and biology. Hosted by Kevin Xu.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:04) Working at BenevolentAI and Octant Bio
(08:07) Problem-driven vs. solution-driven innovation
(10:50) Sphinx Bio
(12:27) What makes biological data different?
(18:10) Adapting to new technologies as a data platform
(22:37) Bits in Bio
(25:24) Sharing knowledge in a competitive industry
(27:12) Software-defined biology
(31:57) Studying CS in the age of AI
Links:
Sphinx Bio: https://www.sphinxbio.com/
"Software-defined biology": https://www.sphinxbio.com/post/software-defined-biology
Bits in Bio: https://www.bitsinbio.org/
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:04) Working at BenevolentAI and Octant Bio
(08:07) Problem-driven vs. solution-driven innovation
(10:50) Sphinx Bio
(12:27) What makes biological data different?
(18:10) Adapting to new technologies as a data platform
(22:37) Bits in Bio
(25:24) Sharing knowledge in a competitive industry
(27:12) Software-defined biology
(31:57) Studying CS in the age of AI
Links:
Sphinx Bio: https://www.sphinxbio.com/
"Software-defined biology": https://www.sphinxbio.com/post/software-defined-biology
Bits in Bio: https://www.bitsinbio.org/
More episodes of the podcast Columbia University BioWorks
BioWorks 23: Pioneering Cell Therapy: A Conversation with Mark Tomishima of BlueRock Therapeutics
11/03/2025
BioWorks 21: Automating Cell Culture Workflows and Generating Data at Scale with Jimmy Sastra
29/10/2024
BioWorks 19: Navigating Management Consulting and Life Sciences with Dr. Peter Tollman, BCG
02/07/2024
BioWorks 17: From Pharma to Startup - Life Sciences Executive Insights with Cristina Larkin
22/04/2024