Balancing The Future

Around 2 billion people enjoy chocolate and coffee every single day. But growing enough of these crops uses a huge number of resources. For example, making just one cup of coffee takes about 140 litres of water. In West Africa, an estimated 70% of illegal deforestation is linked to cocoa farming. And with demand only expected to rise, the question is: what can we do to stop the environmental impact of these crops? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai talk to Dr. Steven Lang, Vice President of Science and Technology at California Cultured, a US startup that makes chocolate and coffee using bioreactors.  Steven explains that the team starts by taking a small sample from a plant. They then grow this sample in a bioreactor to create a plant cell culture. Because they have more control over the plant’s genetics, they can make it healthier or give it new traits. Right now, Steven’s team is working on cocoa that’s rich in flavanols, powerful compounds that act as antioxidants.  California Cultured has also developed a new plastic bioreactor that could bring costs down compared to the stainless-steel systems used for cultivated meat. Steven expects that by around 2028, their coffee and cocoa will cost roughly the same as conventional products. As with cultivated meat, though, these new products will need to win over consumers before they can really take off. To help with this, Steven’s team has worked with analytical chemists to fine-tune flavors, so they’re essentially interchangeable with traditional coffee and cocoa.  Steven was the first-ever guest on Balancing the Future. Back then, he worked in cultivated meat, which remains one of the most visible -- and most debated -- areas of lab-grown food. Today, he believes cultivated plants may have greater potential for faster progress and easier consumer acceptance, especially in areas where cultivated meat still faces big hurdles. LINKS: California Cultured Website Steven Lang on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.    We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.    Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.     Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.  ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Roughly 80% of funding, research, and equipment ends up in the 10 wealthiest countries. This means most people around the world have fewer opportunities to work on scientific problems. It affects which issues get attention and which don’t. So, how can we make access to science fairer?  In the first episode of Season 3 of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah and Chai talk with Dr. Melissa Wu, CEO of Seeding Labs. This nonprofit works to close global gaps in science by donating extra lab equipment to institutions in developing countries. Melissa explains how the current imbalance affects which research gets priority, which diseases and problems are studied, and how it leads to workforce shortages, brain drain, and ongoing inequalities in science.  They discuss how Seeding Labs tackles these challenges with a clear process. First, they find institutions that have the basics in place. Then, they collect extra equipment from companies and universities and match each partner with 100 to 200 key items that fit their needs. Seeding Labs also handles the complicated shipping process and makes sure the recipient institutions take full responsibility for the equipment and can use it in a lasting way.  Melissa highlights real-world impact stories, including Malawi University of Science and Technology’s rapid cholera surveillance response following Cyclone Idai, and a Colombian university launching a nanotechnology program focused on energy storage using treated coffee-bag waste fibers. She also discusses the environmental benefits of equipment reuse, growing institutional funding opportunities, and plans to scale Seeding Labs’ model internationally, including expansion into the EU, alongside a call for greater awareness and support from people just like you! LINKS: Seeding Labs’ Website Seeing Labs’ Research Dr. Melissa Wu on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.    We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.    Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.   Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode. ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO:Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Join Chai Nussbaumer and Micah Schweizer on June 16th for a brand-new season of Balancing the Future. This time, we’re exploring the science and technology innovations and solutions that are changing the world today.   Everything from the global lab equipment program that's tackling scientific access disparity to lab-grown coffee and cocoa that could positively impact the environment.  In every episode, you’ll hear inspiring conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a real difference.  Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to never miss an episode.  LINKS: METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn  ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO: Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

Neuroscience and artificial intelligence were once distant disciplines that have been brought together in technological advancement and access to high-quality data. At Dementia Research Oxford, these worlds are coming together to accelerate discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In the final episode of Season 2 of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alejo Nevado-Holgado, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and Head of the Computational and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory at Dementia Research Oxford. Together, they explore how advances in computing power and artificial neural networks are transforming our ability to understand, and may eventually help treat, neurodegenerative diseases. The conversation dives into how Dementia Research Oxford bridges wet-lab biology and computational modeling, integrating robotics, genomics, and artificial intelligence to find new drug targets and decode the complexities of the human brain. With access to massive datasets like the UK Biobank, his team can uncover hidden biological patterns and test potential therapies faster than ever before. Neural networks are now being used to predict how potential drugs will affect diseased cells, analyze millions of microscopic images for subtle biological changes, and even decode the human genome in ways like how language models understand text. These approaches are reshaping how scientists study disease at the cellular level and opening new possibilities for early intervention. Alejo also explains the challenges of this new frontier: from the “black box” problem of AI explainability to the ongoing need for high-quality data and research funding, and why collaboration between data scientists and biologists is essential for the future of medicine. LINKS Alejo Nevado-Holgado Bio Dementia Research Oxford Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn SOURCES What is Alzheimer's Disease? – Alzheimer's Association What is Parkinson's? – Parkinson’s Foundation Dementia statistics – Alzheimer's Institute International Parkinson’s statistics – Parkinson’s Foundation UK Biobank Website How can digital health improve the signal-to-noise ratio in your clinical trials? – Cambridge Cognition Harnessing artificial intelligence for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological emergencies: a comprehensive review of recent advances and future directions – Frontiers  ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE: Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.

Laboratories are the engines of scientific discovery, but they’re also a very resource-intensive workplace. In fact, the average lab produces around 20 tons of carbon emissions every year. Yet the same scientists driving innovation also hold the keys to making their work more sustainable. In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Raj Patey, Business Development Director at My Green Lab, an organization on a mission to turn laboratories worldwide into environmental leaders. Together, they unpack the hidden environmental cost of modern science and explore how labs across academia, pharma, and healthcare are working to reduce their footprint without compromising research quality or safety. The conversation dives into the three pillars of lab sustainability: energy, water, and waste, and reveals the surprising scale of lab-related emissions. Small tweaks, such as raising freezer temperatures from –80°C to –70°C (-159°F), can save the equivalent energy of an entire household. From major case studies like GSK’s pilot program saving 150 tons of CO₂ and $226,000 annually, to university initiatives achieving full sustainability accreditation, this episode highlights that going green isn’t just ethical, it’s economical. Raj also shares insights into how My Green Lab’s certification programs and ambassador training empower scientists to make tangible change, and how a new generation of researchers is rethinking everything from procurement to protocol design with sustainability in mind. LINKS Raj Patey on LinkedIn My Green Lab Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn SOURCES The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices – PubMed Re-use of laboratory utensils reduces CO2 equivalent footprint and running costs – PLOS One Greener and smarter: Positive post-pandemic effects in the laboratory sector – Starlab Act now to prevent uncontrolled rise in carbon footprint of computational science – University of Cambridge King's amongst first to achieve 100% lab sustainability accreditation – Kings College London Considering sustainability when purchasing for labs – University of Bristol The Great Laboratory Greenwash – The Pathologist The Cost of Greenwashing: Why Verified Transparency Is Your Best Investment – My Green Lab New Survey Assesses Attitudes and Actions toward Lab Sustainability – Lab Manager  ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-based treatments, they explore the science that's transforming our lives. Each episode features in-depth conversations with scientists, communicators, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They also explore the impact these breakthroughs will have on a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions today. ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO LAB SOLUTIONS: In the fast-paced world of laboratory science, precision and efficiency are everything. That’s why METTLER TOLEDO is committed to delivering cutting-edge laboratory solutions that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance instruments, intuitive software, automation technologies, consumables, accessories, and expert services—each engineered to meet the unique needs of industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, biotechnology, and both QA/QC and R&D laboratories. From precision and analytical balances to advanced titrators, pH meters, density meters, refractometers, melting point instruments, and more, METTLER TOLEDO products are designed for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our solutions empower laboratories to generate trusted results, maintain compliance, and ensure maximum uptime with our robust lifecycle services and automation capabilities.