Talking Techniques

This episode of Talking Technique deviates slightly from specific lab technologies to instead discuss techniques and methods we use for teaching and testing life sciences.To do this, I'm speaking to two pioneers of unconventional teaching and testing approaches to STEM education. Angela Consani is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (KS, USA). This skills-first microcredential program provides certification for lab skills in techniques, safety and quality control, using performance-based practical testing. Natalie Kuldell is the Founder and Executive Director of Biobuilder (MA, USA), a nonprofit organization, set up to increase interest, understanding and engagement in STEM by converting lab research projects in into teachable modules aimed primarily at the pre-graduate level to give students the practical skills needed for a career in the life sciences.Together, we'll question the current system of STEM education and training and whether it captures all the potential talent that could be channeled into the life sciences, best serving all the roles available in the industry.Contents:Introductions: 00:00-03:00Introducing BioBuilder: 03:00-07:00What industry wants from skills-based testing: 07:00-11:25How well do current university degrees meet these requirements: 11:25-15:40Designing curriculums to meet the requirements of industry and updating life science education to meet the demands of a new world: 15:40-21:55The practicalities of a skills-based curriculum: 21:45-23:50Conducting skill-based testing: 23:50-28:40Testing BioBuilder's curriculum: 28:40-32:00Can skills-based courses really provide the underlying knowledge needed to flourish in a career in STEM: 32:00-37:00How the biotech industry is responding to skills-based teaching and testing: 37:00-46:00The interplay between testing and learning and industry: 46:00-51:20Outro: 51:20-54:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the Talking Techniques podcast dives into the realm of cancer immunotherapies, focusing on antigen discovery and T-cell receptor engineering for T-cell therapies. Guiding us through the field is Jim Heath, President of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, where he runs the Heath Lab, investigating fundamental immunology, and infectious and chronic diseases. Jim discusses the computational models and wet lab techniques he uses to characterize T cells, the importance of targeting a balanced immune response with immunotherapies and more in this podcast recorded at AACR 2024 (5th–10th April 2024; San Diego, CA, USA).Contents:Introductions: 00:00-02:00Intro to cancer vaccines and T-cell therapies: 02:00-04:00Antigen detection and validation in T-cell therapies: 04:00-05:20Wet lab and computational techniques for antigen detection: 05:20-09:15The importance of a balanced immune response to cancer immunotherapies: 09:15-10:30Technological developments in antigen detection: 10:30-13:45 Tips for best practice when conducting T-cell receptor design 13:45-15:40What is one thing you would like to see change in the field of antigen detection and T-cell receptor engineering? 15:40-16:30 Designing the path towards a more balanced immune response from immunotherapies 16:30-19:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Ritwika Biswas, Field Application Scientist at Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA), discusses the use of cytokines in immunotherapy. Ritwika details the role of cytokines in the body, before going on to discuss how they can be used as therapeutics and to guide treatment decisions. Ritwika also shares how she thinks these proteins will be used in the future.Contents· Introduction: 00:00–01:35· The role of cytokines in the body: 01:35–02:52· Immune regulation and signaling: 02:52–05:40· Cytokine interactions and networks: 05:40–08:42· Modulating cytokine activity for therapeutic purposes: 08:42–12:35· The influence of cytokines on immunotherapy outcomes: 12:35–16:04· Using cytokines to predict treatment responses and guide immunotherapy decisions: 16:04–20:44· The importance of standardizing and validating cytokine diagnostic assays: 20:44–24:36· The future of cytokines in immunotherapy: 24:36–26:11 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cell-surface proteome plays a critical role in immune-cell function; however, our ability to examine its interactions and spatial organization has previously been limited by available proteomic techniques. This episode explores the function of immune-cell membrane proteins and how the latest developments in spatial proteomics have enabled more detailed interrogation of these proteins and their spatial relationships.Our guest, Hanna van Ooijen, Immunology Application Scientist at Pixelgen Technologies guides us through the field, revealing a new technique that enables spatial analysis of the cell-surface proteome at a single-cell resolution and highlighting some exciting discoveries that it has facilitated.Contents:Introductions: 00:00-01:40Introducing Molecular Pixelation: 01:40-02:15Example applications of Molecular Pixelation: 02:15-03:20The role of membrane proteins in immune cell function: 03:20-07:25Traditional techniques to investigate cell membrane proteins: 07:15-10:20Recent improvements in investigative technology and our understanding of immunology: 10:20-11:10Challenges associated with current technologies: 11:10-13:50How Molecular Pixelation can address these challenges: 13:50-15:25Molecular Pixelation workflow: 15:25-17:55Tips for best practice when using molecular pixelation: 17:55-19:30Exciting discoveries using Molecular pixelations: 19:30-21:00Potential implications of molecular pixelation for the future of immunology: 21:00-24:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we catch up with Michael Long, Principle Investigator of the Long Lab at New York University (NY, USA), where he investigates the neural circuits that underlie vocal communication.Through the examination of animal models, from songbirds to the rare singing mice of Costa Rica, with cutting-edge imaging techniques Michael reveals fascinating insights into vocal communication. We also discuss his human experiments, working alongside neurosurgeons, with emerging electrophysiological probes to monitor the neural activity of participants as they speak and interact, ultimately revealing how this research could begin to provide solutions for neurological conditions impacting communication, such as autism.Contents:Introduction: 00:00 – 01:40Investigating neural circuits underlying vocal communication: 01:40 – 04:15Techniques to explore animal models of vocal communication: 04:15 – 06:25The impact of cooling brain regions on songbird singing: 06:25 – 07:50The techniques used to investigate animal models: 07:50 – 12:20Songbirds: 07:50 – 09:45The singing mouse: 10:00 – 12:20Investigating neural circuits in humans during speech: 12:20 – 16:30Investigating neural circuits in humans during conversation: 16:30 – 19:00Moving beyond neural area identification towards understanding neural pathways and mechanisms: 19:00 – 21:40Navigating neuropixels, big data and safety: 21:40 – 26:10If there was one thing you could ask for to help you better understand these pathways, what would it be? 26:10 – 27:55The experience of working with patients undergoing neurosurgery: 27:55 – 30:30The potential impact on speech disorders and autism: 30:30 – 33:15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Launching our fourth season of Talking Techniques, this episode, supported by the University of Cincinnati (OH, USA) we delve into rare disease research and pharmacogenomics, their intersection and the key techniques used to explore them.Guiding us through these fields is Brenna Carey, an Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center whose research focuses on rare disease pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapeutic development and who also runs key courses on the University's Pharmacogenomics and Drug Discovery Masters degree programs.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:15An introduction to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and rare lung diseases 01:15-03:50Techniques to investigate the pathogenesis of PAP: 03:50-05:30Developing diagnostics and therapeutics for PAP: 05:30-08:20The importance of pharmacogenomics in drug development: 08:20-11:25Key techniques and approaches in pharmacogenomics: 11:25-13:00Emerging trends in pharmacogenomics: 13:00-15:05Key takeaways from your pharmacogenomics course: 15:00-18:00What would you ask for to improve our understanding of pharmacogenomics? 18:00-20:15This episode is supported by the University of Cincinnati Online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we talk to Andrew Lee, a senior research fellow in Queen's University Belfast's (UK) wastewater-based epidemiology group, about his work using wastewater to monitor and detect infectious diseases. Andrew discusses how wastewater surveillance acts as an early warning system, providing novel, unbiased insights into human and animal pathogens that are circulating within a community, and how this can contribute to a ‘One Health' approach. He also explains how he has incorporated nanopore sequencing into his work, and the advantages that this provides.Contents:· 00:00­–01:45: Introductions· 01:45–03:45: Wastewater surveillance for infectious disease· 03:45–05:35: Genomic surveillance approaches can complement established epidemiological methods· 05:35–07:25: Why look at wastewater?· 07:25–10:40: The advantages of nanopore sequencing for wastewater surveillance· 10:40–12:25: The experimental workflow· 12:25–15:05: Using wastewater surveillance to detect both human and avian influenza· 15:05–18:20: Wastewater surveillance as an early warning system· 18:20–20:47: Future perspectives: other environmental samples, antimicrobial resistance and what else can be found in wastewater? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we speak to two experts from Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA) about the latest developments in antibody technologies and how these developments have led to the next generation of antibodies that are revolutionizing therapeutic approaches to a number of diseases. With the guidance of Field Scientist Ritwika Biswas and Technical Account Manager Grace Liu, we explore the challenges of developing and working with next-generation antibodies, the latest developments and applications of these molecules and the holy grail that antibody designers are driving towards. Contents:Introduction: 00:00 – 02:40The history of monoclonal antibody therapeutics: 02:40 – 04:40 The working principles of multi-specific antibodies: 04:40 – 08:15Recent developments in ADCs: 08:15 – 11:15Challenges with the development of multi-specific antibodies and ADCs: 11:15 – 13:55Solutions to address these challenges: 13:50 – 16:20Clinical applications of multi-specific antibodies and ADCs: 16:20 – 20:30The dream of real-time adaptability for the next generation of antibody therapeutics 20:30 – 24:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Rachel Thijssen, an Assistant Professor at Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC; the Netherlands), discusses her research using single-cell analyses to investigate treatment-resistant leukemia cells. Rachel explains her single-cell technique called rapid capture hybridization sequencing (RaCH-seq), how she utilizes nanopore sequencing, and how she hopes that this technique can be used to gain new insights into disease and improve therapies. Contents:00:00–01:35: Introduction 01:35–03:25: Single-cell sequencing in leukemia research03:25–05:15: What is single-cell RaCH-seq?05:15–06:10: Using nanopore sequencing for RaCH-seq06:10–07:30: How can other researchers apply RaCH-seq to their work?07:30–09:50: Looking to the future: spatial biology, collaborations and improved therapies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Ritwika Biswas, Field Scientist at Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA), walks us through the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) development process and how T and natural killer (NK) cells can be utilized to carry these modular synthetic molecules. Ritwika also addresses the safety and efficacy of these cell therapies as well as the ethical considerations around them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, supported by Fortis Life Sciences, we delve into the relationship between mitochondria, inflammation and cancer, discussing the new techniques that are bearing fruit in this field, such as spatial analysis.Our expert insight for this episode comes from Phillip West, Principle Investigator of the West lab at Texas A&M Medicine (TX, USA). Philip explains the role mitochondria can play in cancer and heart disease, reveals some of his most exciting discoveries of late and provides technical tips for investigating this field.Listen on to discover how his use of spatial techniques has helped uncover mechanisms linking mitochondrial damage to the stifling of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment and the latest breakthroughs at the intersection of mitochondria and cancer.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:30The innate immune system, in inflammation and disease: 01:30-04:20The role of mitochondria in innate immunity: 04:20-07:00Categorizing DAMPS and their role in cardiovascular disease: 07:00-08:40Mitochondria and cancer: 08:40-11:55Techniques for the investigation of mitochondria: 11:55-15:20Best practice techniques for spatial studies: 15:20-17:35Discoveries made using spatial approaches to mitochondrial investigations: 17:35-19:55The latest developments in the intersection of mitochondria, cancer and inflammation: 19:55-22:20What is one thing you would ask for to improve your understanding of this field? 22:20-24:20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, sponsored by Zymo Research, we explore the microbiome and how long-read sequencing techniques are changing our approach to the field and the exciting discoveries that they have led to. To do this we speak to Kris Locken, Molecular Biologist in the Research & Development department of Zymo Research (CA, USA), and Jeremy Wilkinson, Global Marketing Specialist for Microbial Genomics at PacBio (CA, USA).Find out how microbes compare to nuts and what this means for the challenges of metagenomic sample preparation, how long reads can stack up vs short reads for metagenome assembly and much more, all in this latest episode of Talking TechniquesContents:Intro: 00:00-01:55What is metagenomics and why is it important for microbial studies? 01:55-03:55How has long-read sequencing impacted metagenomics? 03:55-06:05Long-read vs short-read sequencing workflows: 06:05-07:15Addressing barriers to long-read sequencing: 07:15-08:45Sample preparation for long-read sequencing: 08:45-12:20Development of long-read sequencing to improve accuracy and capabilities: 12:20-14:40Best practice for assembly and analysis: 14:40-17:40Exciting examples of the benefits of long-read sequencing: 17:40-20:00What would you wish for to improve the ability long-read sequencing in microbiomics: 20:00-21:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, our second recorded at Neuroscience 2022 (13-19th April 2022; San Diego, CA, USA), delves into the importance of open data in neuroscience and the FAIR guidelines, which encourage researchers to make their data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable.Sharing her considerable expertise in this area is one of the authors of the FAIR guidelines, Maryann Martone, who provides some key examples of the successes that open data practices have delivered so far and cautionary tales for how current practices are damaging the field.Listen on to find out how to implement open data practices, how they can help your lab and why Maryann sees it as our responsibility to resolve!Contents:Introduction: 00:00-02:00Introducing open neuroscience and the meaning of FAIR 02:00-03:00Exposing outdated paradigms in science: academic targets, publications, reproducibility and data accessibility: 03:00-06.30Incentivizing open data and reassigning value restructuring academia: 06:30-08.40The impact of FAIR within labs: 08:40-09:50Challenges of establishing and barriers to Open and FAIR neuroscience 09:50-12:00The reception of these guidelines in the field: 12:00-16:50Examples of the impact of open data in the spinal cord injury community: 16:50-18:10Marryann's experience of enacting changes early in her career: 18:10-21:20Judging value in scientific research and understanding your purpose: 21:20-24:20The importance of investment: 24:20-26:30The impact of industry on lab data: 26:30-27:50Practical tips for addressing your lab data: 27:50-31:10Key tips for preparing data for an open-source repository 31:10-33.15The FAIR data principles explained: 33.15-37:50 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we head to the Ecuadorian rainforest to chat about the use of sequencing in conservation with Zane Libke, a field researcher based at Sumak Kawsay In Situ (Pastaza, Ecuador). Zane discusses how he turned his fascination with nature into a career, his current work using nanopore sequencing technologies to find undescribed species and helping train future field researchers.We also explore the benefits of fighting biodiversity in a more local-centric way and using research to protect the area from exploitative companies.Contents:Intro: 00:00–01:35Zane's work at Sumak Kawsay In Situ: 01:35–05:05Turning a fascination with nature into a career: 05:05–08:20The importance of sequencing for conservation: 08:20–12:25Technologies being used to sequence in the field: 12:25–14:15Portable nanopore sequencing with the MinION: 13:15–15:35Exporting samples means exporting opportunity: 15:35–18:40The sequencing workflow: 17:40–24:50Data processing: 24:50–27:45Using these technologies to find undescribed species: 27:45–32:20Fighting biodiversity loss in a more local-centric way: 32:20–34:55Using research to protect the area from exploitation: 34:55–38:50What the future holds: 38:50–43:22 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Talking techniques, one of two recorded at Neuroscience 2022, we speak to Tim Harris (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, VA, USA). Tim is the creator of Neuropixels, neural recording probes inserted into the brains of animal models, which allow researchers to collect signals from hundreds of individual neurons in different brain regions simultaneously over extended periods of time.Here, he shares the story behind his creation and details how they have changed the data collection landscape in Neuroscience. Tim also considers every inventor's greatest concern: has his invention led to purely positive outcomes for the field? By enabling the collection of huge datasets have Neuropixels led to studies that bury findings in vast swathes of data or have they enabled researchers to collect enough information to discover the emphatic truth?Listen now to find out Tim's opinions on these contentious debates in neuroscience and get key tips for utilizing neuropixels! Contents:Introduction: 00:00-03:00Tim's symposium on the capabilities of Neuropixels: 03:00-04.00Key takeaways from the symposium: 04:00-07:45The story of the development of neuropixels: 07:45-13:50Best practice tips for utilizing neuropixels: 13:50-15:15Challenges of utilizing neuropixels: 15:15-15:50Addressing the challenge of big data and sharing uncertainty: 15:50-17:30How neuropixels have accelerated neuroscience data generation: 17:30-19:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Talking Techniques podcast, we explore microbiomes and the techniques used to profile them. Get an overview of the different techniques' working principles, their pros and cons and the different applications that they are best suited to.Providing an expert insight into this field is Annabelle Damerum, Microbiome R&D Scientist at Zymo Research. Annabelle reveals some key tips best practice when profiling the microbiome and details the importance of an emerging aspect of the field: the vaginal microbiome.Contents: Into: 00:00-01:50Why it is important to profile microbiomes. 01:50-04:15Key applications of microbiome profiling: 04:15-06:10Techniques used to profile the microbiome and their working principles: 06:10-09:20Targeted sequencing: 06:10-08:00Shotgun metagenomics: 08:00-09:00Metatranscriptomics: 09:00-9:15The strengths and limitations of these techniques: 09:12- Targeted sequencing: 09:20-10.15Shotgun metagenomics: 10:15-11:25Metatranscriptomics: 11:25-11:50Matching techniques with applications: 11:50-13:30Tips for best practice for using these techniques: 13:30-16:25What is one thing you would ask for to improve the ability of microbiome profiling techniques: 16:55-18:10Investigating the vaginal microbiome: 18:10-20:55Conclusions and closing: 20:55-22:10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Talking Techniques, brought to you from the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum (FENS; 9th–13th July 2022), an expert panel discuss their research into the relationship between the gut–brain axis and addiction.The panel features Benjamin Boutrel (Lausanne University Hospital; Switzerland), Lorenzo Leggio (NIH Intramural Research Program; MD, USA) and Nathalie Delzenne (University of Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium), who discuss their current research into the role of the microbiota in alcohol addiction, if this work could be translated into the clinic, and if similar processes are at play in other addictions, such as food and cocaine. The discussion also features an audience Q&A, which explores the microbial relationship between mother and fetus, and social factors in addiction.Contents:Introduction: 00:00–01:35Introduction to panelists: 01:35–03:40Techniques being used to investigate the relationship between the gut and addiction: 03:40–06:55Translating this research to the clinic: 06:55–11:40Parallels between alcohol addiction and other addictions, such as food, cocaine and tobacco: 11:40–17:05Microorganisms as drivers of behavior: 17:05–18:30The hot topic of gut health: 18:30–20:30Future directions for the research, including microbiota transfers, precision medicine and avoiding alcohol dependence: 20:30–24:35Audience Q&A – microbial elements between mother and fetus, and social factors in addiction: 24:35–29:15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, supported by BrandTech, returning guest Rob Vries, CEO of HUB organoids (Utrecht, The Netherlands), fills us in on the advancement of 3D cell cultures and organoids over the last 2 years, starting off by documenting how the pandemic impacted their development and uptake.We also discuss how the recent FDA Modernization Act, removing the requirement for drug candidates to be tested on animals, has impacted the drive for improved models, the key techniques available to analyze them and what still needs to change for 3D cell cultures to fully replace animal models in the lab.Listen today to find out which resources can help you begin to work with 3D cell cultures, their most exciting recent applications and how issues of reproducibility are currently being addressed in the field.Contents:Intro: 00:00-00:50How COVID-19 impacted the uptake and development of 3D cell cultures: 00:50-02:05Key developments in 3D cell culture technology in the last 2 years: 02:05-03:00Intestinal organoids and the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome: 03:00-5:50Evaluating assembloids: 05:50-08:35Complexity vs clinical relevance: 08:35-10:45The impact of 3D cell cultures in precision medicine in cancer: 10:45-12:40The impact of the FDA's Modernization Act on 3D cell culture uptake: 12:40-14:45What needs to improve in organoid technologies to fully replace animal models? 14:45-16:10Changing inbuilt reliance on animal models: 16:10-18:30Key techniques to analyze organoids: 18:30-19:50Developments in imaging technology that have improved the analysis of organoids: 19:50-21:15Current challenges in 3D cell culture implementation and reproducibility: 21:15-24:15Improving access to 3D cell cultures: 24:15-25:55Resources to help people implement organoids into their work: 25:55-27:15Searching for the holy grail in 3D cell cultures: 27:15-28:00 Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, supported by Bio-Rad, we discuss a key component of many gene therapies: recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) and their production. These viruses act as efficient, accurate delivery vesicles for the gene therapy's plasmid.Speaking to Associate Director of Biopharma Product Marketing at Bio-Rad Laboratories, Mark White, we take a look at the different expression systems used for their production and compare their advantages, before looking at some of the challenges involved in the production rAAVs, such as host-cell contamination.Discover the tools that can help minimize host-cell contamination and differentiate between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive contaminant DNA and find out about some of the most exciting developments in rAAV technologies. Contents:The role of rAAVs in gene therapies: 00:40-02:15The production of rAAVs and gene therapies: 02:15-03:30Why are HEK cells so popular for cell therapy production? 03:30-05:45HEK vs SF9 Insect cell expression systems: 05:45-06:45Challenges in cell therapy expression systems: 06:45-08:05Host DNA contamination: 08:05-10:30The risks of host DNA contamination: 10:30-12:45Key techniques to minimize host DNA contamination: 12:45-14:40The advantages of ddPCR in gene therapy production: 14:40-17:50Distinguishing between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive host cell DNA: 17:50-19:10The most exciting developments in rAAV technology: 19:10-20:20What is one thing you would ask for to improve rAAV and gene therapy development 20:20-26:38 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In many regions of the world, HPV and its association with cervical cancer is a well-known but rarely considered issue, after the rollout of the HPV vaccine in the late 2000s. However, while this rollout significantly impacted cervical cancer rates where it was implemented, it was not universal and in many areas of the world HPV induced cervical cancer remains a critical issue.Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death for people with a cervix living in poverty in low-resource regions and on the continent of Africa, it is estimated that in 2020 as many people with a cervix died of cervical cancer as COVID-19.In this episode of Talking techniques, supported by Oxford Nanopore, Senior Investigator Michael Dean and Post-baccalaureate Fellow Nicole Rossi, from the NIH's National Cancer Institute (MD, USA), discuss their research into the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Expounding on the points mentioned above, they reveal the tremendous insights into cancer and immunology still to be gained, document the key tools used in their studies and explain how their work can be translated into more effective immunotherapies and treatments for cervical cancer. ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-01:40How big an issue does HPV present to the world? 01:40-03:30HPV's association with cancer: 03:30-05:15Why does HPV target DNA repair mechanisms? 05:15-06:00Key goals of research into HPV: 06:00-07:15Challenges of HPV research: 07:15- 08:20Solutions available to deal with these challenges: 08:20-09:30The most exciting discoveries in HPV using long-read sequencing: 09:30-11:00HPV16- the most oncogenic variant: 11:00-11:40Translating research into clinical results for HPV: 11:40-12:45How effective is the current HPV vaccine? 12:45-13:30What would you ask for to improve research into HPV and cancer? 13:30-14:30How big an issue is vaccine rejection? 14:30-15:40Final thoughts: 15:40-17:00 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recently, the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) published "The Lifecycle of an AI System in Healthcare", a whitepaper defining what healthcare is and provides guidelines on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in this setting.In this episode of Talking Techniques, we speak with Oscar Rodriguez, a board member at AAIH and one of the authors of this whitepaper, to find out more about what the lifecycle of AI is, the importance of having guidelines when applying AI or ML in healthcare and what the future holds for this type of computer modeling. Contents:Intro: 00:00 - 00:45What are some of the ways that AI is used in healthcare? 00:45 - 5:04What are the current limitations of using AI in healthcare settings? 5:04 - 9:28The lifecycle of an AI system: 9:28 - 14:04How did you develop these guidelines for AI in healthcare? 14:04 - 17:28Summary of the guidelines from the white paper: 17:28 - 19:09Do you think some of these guidelines could be applicable to AI outside of healthcare? 19:09 - 19:53Why is it important to have guidelines like these for AI and machine learning in healthcare? 19:53 - 22:11Why did you decide to focus on COVID-19 case studies? 22:11 - 23:05How do you think the pandemic has changed the way AI is used in healthcare? 23:05 - 26:26What's next for AI? 26:26 - 30:03 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The key diagnostic and prognostic information locked away in cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) has become increasingly accessible due to developments in genetic and epigenetic profiling techniques. These advances have engendered the rise of liquid biopsy techniques, which capture and analyze cfNAs from samples such as blood, saliva, urine and feces, in diagnostics and basic disease research.However, challenges remain in the detection and analysis of these nucleic acid fragments, in part due to their low abundance and fragile nature. In this episode, Ayla Maunighan-Peter, Epigenetics Product Specialist at Zymo research (CA, USA), details the utility of these molecules, the challenges associated with their development and implementation of liquid biopsies and their use in both basic research and diagnostic spaces.For an insight into how cfNAs can be used to identify novel drug targets, impact diagnostics development and be used to help soothe the organ shortage crisis, listen today!Contents:Intro: 00:00-00:40What are cfNAs? 1:50-02:35The role of cfNAs in Liquid biopsy: 02:35-04:25Markers analyzed in cfNAs: 04:25-06:10Epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 06:05-07:55Techniques for epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 08:00-08:55Introducing fragmentomics: 08:55-11:05Challenges in the development of liquid biopsy: 11:05-14:40How is the field trying to adapt to these challenges? 14:40-16:10Applications of cfNAs in basic research: 16:10-17:30The most exciting findings concerning the role of cfNAs in disease: 17:30-20:05One thing to improve our understanding and use of cfNAs: 20:05-21:10Conclusions: 21:15-22:15 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we discuss recombinant proteins: what are they and what are they used for? BioTechniques Editor Tristan Free speaks to Amy Sheng, Technical Account Manager at Sino Biological, who explains the history of recombinant proteins and how protein modeling techniques such as AlphaFold are changing their development. Find out how monoclonal antibodies have been used through the COVID-19 pandemic and how we may overcome challenges in production, upscaling and more in this episode of Talking Techniques. Contents:Introduction 00:00-01:26What are recombinant proteins and what are they used for? 01:26 – 02:42How were they first developed? 02:42 – 03:50Since initial development has recombinant antibody development progressed today? 03:50 – 05:57What are the advantages of utilizing the more traditional mouse monoclonal antibodies? 05:57 – 07:11Are recombinant antibodies used in more specialist applications and are they more likely to be used in therapeutics? 07:11 – 09:47How have AI systems like AlphaFold impacted the development of recombinant antibodies? 09:47 – 12:07How has antibody production changed and what's next? 12:07 – End See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, supported by Zymo Research, we discuss the epigenetic clock: what is it? How are researchers using it and what are some of the key tools available to study it? Elucidating the link between epigenetics and aging is Keith Booher, Director of Services at Zymo research including aging and epigenetics research services. Keith reveals how our behaviors and environment, such as diet, exercise and air quality, can impact our epigenetics and the impact that the epigenetic clock has played in the development of new therapeutics.Find out how you can reverse your biological age, the implications of aging populations the latest developments in epigenetic research and more in this episode of Talking Techniques. Contents: Introduction: 00:00-02:15The issue with population aging: 02:15-03:30Introducing epigenetics: 03:30-04:20The link between epigenetics and aging: 04:20-05:50The impact of exercise on epigenetics: 05:50-06:40The epigenetic clock: 06:40-08:00What can the epigenetic clock tell you about someone's health: 08:00-10:05Can you reverse the epigenetic clock? 10:05-12:00The latest experiments in epigenetics and aging research: 12:00-14:10Finetuning exercise using the epigenetic clock: 14:10-15:30Challenges in epigenetics and aging research: 15:30-17:00Key technologies in epigenetics and aging research: 17:00-18:05Where are the main developments coming from? 18:05-19:30Aging and lobsters: 19:30-20:45How will the field develop in the next 5 years? 20:45-22:00What would you ask for to improve your understanding of the epigenetic clock? 22:00-23:00The most exciting aspects of aging intervention: 23:00-24:00 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, supported by Resolve BioSciences, we explore the realm of spatial biology, with a particular focus on the techniques involved in this approach to biological exploration, and the exciting insights gleaned from these techniques that have led to this approach being labeled Natures Method of the year 2020! Stefano Pupe, Postdoctoral Researcher at German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, takes me through this field, revealing – amongst other fascinating insights – the neuroscience studies that can now be conducted on live mice to monitor their neurological cell expression profiles as they perform specific behaviors. We also discuss the potential immortality complexes that could be driving a large amount of investment into the field and highlight some of the challenges to watch out for when conducting spatial biology studies. ContentsIntroduction 00:00-02:20 The concept of spatial biology 02:20-03:30 The key techniques involved in spatial biology: 03:30-05:10What does the combination of transcriptomics and proteomic profiling enable you to determine: 05.10-06:00Unique insights from spatial biology: 06:10-07:20Spatial biology in the characterization of cells from the medial septal: 07:20-8:20First impressions of working with spatial biology: 8:10-09:20How many omic datasets you can generate from one tissue sample? 09:20-10:45The impact of spatial biology in diagnostics: 10:45-11:50 Exciting breakthroughs in neuroscience from spatial biology: 11:50-14:00Predicting neuronal activity with spatial data: 14:00-15:55 Developments in microscopy pairing with spatial biology: 15:55-18:05The challenges of working with a new technique: 18:05-19:45The role of automation in resolving with vast data sets 19:45-21:45Why Facebook and Google are looking assisting with spatial biology: 21:45-24:15What would you ask for to take spatial transcriptomics to the next level? 24:15-25:40Challenges of reproducibility in an emerging field: 25:40-29:05Final comments: 29:05-30:25 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we introduce a new podcast series, produced by BioTechnques and hosted by the enigmatic Antentor Othrell Hinton Jr, Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at the Vanderbilt University (TN, USA), and bring you a sneak peek of the first episode of the series.In this podcast series, Antentor will discuss all things diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, meeting with different guests each episode from across the spectrum of fields and people in the research community. Each episode will keep science at its core, exploring each guest's research and finding out how they encourage open and productive environments in their working communities.In episode one, dive into the discussion around mentoring practices, LatinX representation in STEM and the role that scientific societies, such as the American Society of Cell Biology, can play in the development of their members with our first guest, Christina Termini Assistant Professor at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research center (CA, USA).Contents:Introduction: 00:00-02:40Christina's Research in hematopoietic stem cells and cancer treatments. 02:40-05:45Molecular regulators of the hematopoietic system: 05:45-06:20Building mentoring networks and addressing microaggressions: 06:20-09:00Isolation in academic spaces and countermeasures: 09:00-10:35The community of scholars and the 1000 Black scientists lists: 10:35-17:00What are you drinking? 17:00-17:40Mental health in mentoring: 17:40- 20:45The work of the American Society of Cell Biology developing mentors: 20:45-23:00Equalling opportunities with virtual and non-traditional faculty interviews: 23:00-26:50Building the 100 Latinx list: 26:50-29:30Contact Tina: 29:30-31:55Coming up on STEM Tea: 32:10-34:54 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, supported by BioRad, we explore cell proliferation monitoring and its role in drug discovery, guided by the expert advice of Rachel Preston, Product Development researcher at Bio-Rad. We discuss techniques available to monitor cell proliferation, their advantages and disadvantages and the importance of selecting the right combination of techniques for different experimental targets. Rachel also provides some tips for best practice and some pitfalls to avoid regarding DNA damage and highlights the importance of good quality antibodies in cell proliferation assays.Don't miss out on the most exciting applications of cell proliferation today, and find out what still needs to be improved for cell proliferation assays to continue driving drug discovery forward; all in the first episode of Season 3 of Talking Techniques!Contents: Intro: 00:00-00:34Why measure cell proliferation in drug discovery? 00:34-2:20Techniques involved in the detection of cell proliferation: 02:20-04:20The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques: 04:20-06:50 Selecting the most appropriate technique: 06:50-09:30How do you account for DNA damage in these assays? 09:30-11:00The best combination of techniques for drug screening studies: 11:00-12:00The biggest developments in technologies for cell proliferation monitoring: 12:00-14:15 Exciting findings of cell proliferation studies in cancer research: 14:15-15:35What element of cell proliferation detection and monitoring would you choose to improve? 15:35-17:40Closing remarks: 17:40-19:10 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we explore the field of synthetic biology. Discover the history of the field and its origins in the production of biofuels, before fracking burst onto the scene forcing a pivot in direction towards chemical production. Find out about the key techniques that have brought synthetic biology into the realm of immunotherapies and cancer research, which have even welcomed in a return to applications focussed on tackling the climate crisis, such as lab-grown meat. To investigate this space, I speak with Merrit Savener, Biopharma Technical Account Manager at Molecular Devices (CA, USA) and Adam Clore Technical Director of Synthetic Biology at Integrated DNA Technologies (IA, USA). Merrit and Adam provide their insight into the most exciting applications of synthetic biology, the regulation surrounding it, how they would wish to improve the field, revealing the true impacts that this field can deliver in addressing some of humanity's biggest issues. Contents:Introduction: 00:00-02:30Explaining synthetic biology: 02:30-03:45Origins of synthetic biology: 03:45-05:25Key current applications of synthetic biology: 05:25-07:30 Key methods involved in synthetic biology: 07:20-09:30Challenges in synthetic biology for product production: 09:30-12:35Regulating synthetic biology: 12:35-14:55What would you change to improve synthetic biology? 14355-16:55Most exciting applications of molecular biology: 16:55-20:40 The future of synthetic biology: 20:40-22:45Making electronics manufacturing more sustainable with synthetic biology: 22:45-23:15Changing perceptions in synthetic biology: 23:15-25:30 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are talking all things DNA methylation in this episode, providing a brief explanation of epigenetics and the technologies involved in the study of DNA methylation, before exploring the application of these techniques in the study of infectious diseases and cancer. Revealing all of this information is my guest Chloé Goldsmith, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Canberra University, whose research focuses on DNA methylation, Hepatitis B Virus and the link between lifestyle and the epigenome. Chloé explains the strengths and weaknesses of the different techniques used to explore DNA methylation and highlights the advances in long-read sequencing that are dramatically improving this aspect of epigenomic research. Chloé also discusses some of the most interesting insights that she has gained by taking a single-cell and single-molecule approach to her research and highlights some of the recent findings in the field that have caught her attention and broadened our understanding of epigenetics in disease.Listen today to find out what functions remain to be improved for more insightful epigenetic studies and for some key insights into the future of the field.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:45Introducing the epigenetics and the different types of epigenetic regulation: 00:45-02:55Techniques involved in the exploration of DNA methylation: 03:55-05:50Challenges of bisulfite conversion techniques: 05:50-07:15Recent developments in DNA methylation technologies: 07:15-09:40Long reads vs short reads for epigenetic studies: 09:40-10:45Epigenetics in infectious disease research: 10:45-13:15Lifestyle, the epigenome and HBV: 13:15-16:00Epigenetics in cancer research: 16:00-18:05Recent developments in our epigenetic understanding of disease: 18:05-19:40One area of technology that needs to be improved: 19:40-21:50Aspirations for the field: 21:50-23:25 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, supported by Roche, we explore a vital aspect of many next-generation sequencing studies: target enrichment. Here, regions of interest are selectively amplified before sequencing takes place. More specifically we examine some of the new technologies improving this key step and their impact on oncology research. My guest for this episode is Brian Godwin, Director of Reagent and Assay Development at Roche sequencing. Brian reveals the myriad of ways that poor target enrichment can impact a study while highlighting its importance at the foundations of many research efforts. Discover the key limitations of some target enrichment techniques and the new technologies that are improving this step, leading to a new suite of applications in oncology research, where damaged or degraded DNA samples are common.Listen today for an overview of the target enrichment process, the most exciting applications of this technique future potential of this step.Contents:Intro: 00:00-01:30Why conduct target enrichment? 00:40-02:45Established technologies for target enrichment: 02:45-04:10Challenges of working with these technologies: 04:20-06:40The impact of these challenges on sequencing results: 06:40-07:35New technologies to address these challenges: 07:35-09:25Primer extension in PCR and target enrichment: 09:25-11:40Exciting applications of primer extension target enrichment: 11:40-13:25Improving target enrichment in oncology and its impact on the field: 13:25-16:15If you could ask for one thing to enable primer extension target enrichment to make the greatest possible impact on the NGS and oncology communities, what would it be? 16:15-18:00 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we roam the world of recombinant proteins and their production, discussing the challenges of their production, and recent evolutions in protein engineering that have brought the field into a golden era of innovation.I'm joined by recombinant protein engineering expert Yuning Chen, R&D Manager at Sino Biological, who discusses the key applications of recombinant proteins, the aspects of certain products that make them difficult to produce and how these difficulties can be overcome. Yuning also reveals how the manipulation of antibodies has been essential to multiple aspects of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.After a review of the recent evolutions in protein engineering, from cell-free systems to automation, Yuning describes his vision for the future of the field and reveals his support for the Terminator-style uprising that he believes could revolutionize it.ContentsThe production of recombinant proteins: 00:48-02:11The key applications of recombinant proteins: 02:11-03:27What makes some proteins difficult to produce? 03:27-04:41Overcoming these challenges: 04:40-5:40Manipulating antibodies to take part in multiple aspects of pandemic response: 05:40-08:00The most exciting applications of recombinant proteins: 08:00-09:50Developments in high throughput and automated protein engineering: 09:50-11:00Cell-free protein engineering: 11:00-12:40The benefits of cell-free systems: 12:40-13:40What is next for recombinant protein production? 13:40-16:15The dream of automation for the recombinant protein production: 16:15-18:50 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

PCR has evolved rapidly over the last few years, an evolution that has been dramatically accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New technologies and approaches have been brought to the fore and the full range of applications for which this technique can be applied have been highlighted, from diagnostics to basic disease research and immunology.This episode explores this evolution, looking at how challenges presented by the pandemic forced the hand of researchers to think outside the box and build on lesser-known PCR technologies. Here, Eddy van Collenburg, Market Development Specialist at Bio-Rad (CA, USA), provides his insight into how ddPCR rose to prevalence during this time and explains how the technology is being used to enable trade, detect new variants and is being used outside of the pandemic.Discover the key role that ddPCR can play in gene therapy research, liquid biopsies, cancer research, single-cell studies and more, in this fascinating overview of the development of PCR and where the technique can go in the future.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:30Why was qPCR established as the gold standard for detection? 01:30-03:40Limitations of qPCR during the pandemic: 03:40-05:05New varieties of PCR for faster results: 05:05-05:40New varieties for more accurate results: 05:40-06:45ddPCR working principle and advantages: 06:45-09:00Nonclinical ddPCR applications for COVID-19: 09:00-10:45ddPCR in variant detection: 10:45-12:05ddPCR in gene therapy research: 11:05-12:30Liquid biopsy and cancer research: 12:30-15:20Combining ddPCR with NGS in research: 15:20-16:15What are some of the applications of ddPCR that you find most exciting? 16:15-17:10Applications of ddPCR in single-cell studies: 17:10-21:00Improvements in ddPCR: 21:00-21:45Tips for best practice when using ddPCR: 21:45-22:50What would you ask for to improve ddPCR? 21:50-24:20 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Uncover the history of molecular therapeutics, the staggering current applications and developments of these therapeutics and what their future could hold, in this episode of Talking Techniques.To explore the field of molecular therapeutics and provide an insight into their production, is Aaron Clauson, Product Manager at Zymo research. First, we cover the ins and outs of targeting the therapies and how to select the correct type of molecular therapeutic to begin developing a drug for a specific disease, before looking at some of the setbacks and safety errors that have occurred during the development of molecular therapeutics and how researchers have learned from these tragic events.Aaron also highlights the vital role of plasmids in almost all molecular therapeutic development, detailing the importance of keeping plasmid solutions and transfections free of endotoxins, revealing key solutions for avoiding these contaminants.Listen today to get all you need to know about molecular therapeutics, from their inception to their most exciting examples and how we can better communicate their benefits to the public in order to avoid mistrust and confusion - as has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.Contents:What counts as a molecular therapeutic? 01:45-02:40Well known molecular therapeutics: 02:40-05:00What can molecular therapeutics achieve that synthetic chemicals can't? 05:00-05:55Targeting molecular therapeutics and picking the right type of therapeutic: 05:55-08:25Selecting the appropriate molecular therapeutic: 08:35-11:00Setbacks and safety concerns in gene therapies: 11:00-15:45Preventing off-target effects in gene therapies: 15:45-17:35Challenges in the development of molecular therapeutics: 17:35-19:05Plasmids in molecular therapeutic development: 19:05-23:55Avoiding endotoxins: 23:55-27:45What fields do you find most exciting? 27:45-28:50Better communication of gene therapies to the public: 28:50-32:00 Improving molecular therapeutic development: 32:00-37:10 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode centers on the critical role that high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) plays in the production of adeno-associated viral (AAV) therapies, the latest advances in AAV design and the next steps in their development.Filling me in on all things HPLC and AAVs is Bella Neufeld, Director of R&D at Teknova. Bella reveals the essential validation and quality control steps required for the production of successful and safe AAV therapies and the role that both HPLC and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) play in these steps. We also explore the latest development targets for these therapies, looking at how AAVs can be targeted to specific sites and tissues before descending into the treacherous topic of reproducibility in the field.Listen today to find out the latest tips for best practice when working with HPLC, LCMS the advantages of LCMS over other analytical techniques to assess empty and full capsids and the key principles of AAV production!ContentsIntro: 00:00-01:25Explaining HPLC and its benefits: 01:25-03:30Developing adeno-associated viruses: 03:30-05:25 Chromatography in validation vs production of AAVs: 05:25-06:15Quality control vs hands on time: 06:15-07:35 Challenges in AAV production: 07:35-08:55Examining the level of empty and full capsids: 08:55-10:00The role of LCMS in determining and validating AAV contents: 10:00-11:30 Tips for best practice when using HPLC: 12:30-13:10The future of HPLC: 13:10-14:20Latest advances in AAV development: 14:20-15:50Targeting AAVs: 15:50-17:20Reproducibility issues in AAV development: 17:20-19:35Outro: 19:35-21:10 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the transition from 2D to 3D cell cultures, or organoids, as the gold standard for modeling basic biology and disease continues, these models are being utilized in ever more intricate and impactful ways.This episode covers the rise of organoids and their advantages over 2D cell cultures, before exploring just how representative these models are becoming and their new applications in drug discovery. To find out all this and more, I speak to Oksana Sirenko, Senior Scientist at Molecular Devices, who works extensively with the company's organoid model development programs. Oksana reveals the potential of these models in cancer therapeutics, driven forward by new patient-derived organoids, and notes the challenges presented by imaging these thicker, 3D models. We also explore the potential discoveries that can be unlocked by combining organoids with organ-on-a-chip models.Contents:What are organoids? 02:10-03:20Functions replicated by organoids? 3:20-04:00What are the advantages of 3D over 2D cell cultures? 04:00-05:40Just how representative are these models? 04:40-07:10Intestinal organoid formation 07:10-08:50The most exciting application of organoids 08:50-10:10Organoids in drug development 10:10-11:20Methodology of organoids in drug screening studies 11:20-13:30Examples of organoids in cancer drug discovery: 13:30-16:00Limitations of patient-derived and regular organoid models: 16:00-17:50Body-on-a-chip concepts and examples: 17:50-22:00Challenges posed by organoids for drug discovery: 22:00-24:20Techniques improving organoid models and analysis: 24:20-25:50Imaging organoid models: 25:50-26:55Tips for best practice when working with organoids: 26:55-28:20Organoid method development: 28:20-31:10One thing to improve organoid models or analysis for drug screening: 31:10-33:07To find out more about the research and solutions discussed in this episode visit: www.moleculardevices.com/TechTalk8. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to part two of this two-part episode on whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in rare disease research and treatment. In part one we discussed the impacts the technology has had on both improving the clinical diagnosis and management of rare diseases and on drug development and basic research studies.This episode goes beyond the technology's capabilities and into the debates surrounding how, when and why they should be used. What needs to change for the technique to be applied equitably? And how does reality stack up against science fiction in terms of people's perceptions of ubiquitous WGS?To do this I speak with David Dimmock, Senior Medical Director of the Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (CA, USA); Christine Stanley, Chief Director of Clinical Genomics, Variantyx (MA, USA); and Take Ogawa, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Psomagen (MD, USA). Each of these speakers provides their opinions on the impacts of race, religion and way of life on the application of WGS and how much is too much data.Contents:Introductions: 00:00-02:20Gauging public perceptions of routine WGS 02:20-05:40The role of industry in improving WGS accessibility and capabilities: 05:40-07:35The appropriate use of pre-symptomatic and predictive risk findings: 08:00-11:15Debating the discovery of untreatable diseases: 11:15-12:45The impact of data biases in gene sequencing and the lack of gene references for different populations: 12:45-14:45The impact of religion and lifestyle on ethical considerations in the use of WGS data: 14:45-16:00Dealing with unintended findings or results that impact relatives: 16:00-16:45The value of WGS in pharmacogenomic variant findings and challenging the ACMG59 list: 16:45-19:20Striking the balance between fully utilizing WGS for all potential findings and ensuring maximum participation for all groups: 19:20-22:45Filtering data to avoid exclusion: 22:45-24:10Who owns WGS data? 24:10-25:15Consent conversations: 25:15-26:30Final comments: 26:30-27:15 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Love it or hate it, western blotting forms the bedrock of countless studies across numerous disciplines. Explore its history, development and applications in this episode all about the marmite of life science techniques.Guiding me through the hand wringing, hair follicle destroying history and process of western blotting, and hopefully explaining the beauty and potential of the technique - is Kenneth Oh, Senior Project Manager at Bio-Rad Laboratories. Kenneth reveals some of the latest developments in western blotting. Revealing how researchers are now able to validate the success of each stage of a western blot and work with smaller samples, Kenneth provides key tips for ensuring each of your western blots is a triumph. Contents:Intro: 00:00-01:15History of western blotting: 01:15-3:50What makes western blotting so tricky? 03:50-05:30Stepwise optimization: 05:30-06:50Stain-free western blotting: 06:50-08:50The different variants of western blotting: 08:50-10:20The right blot for the right application: 10:20-11:30The most exciting developments in western bloting:11:30-13:35New horizons for western blotting: 13:35-15:25The impact of multiplex-western blotting: 15:25-16:30Tips for best practice: 16:30-18:10The future of western blotting: 18:10-20:30Yearning for automation: 20:30-21:30 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we take a look at one of the key steps of infectious disease research, sample collection; exploring the challenges associated with the step and the solutions available to improve infectious disease research around the globe.Exploring the trials and tribulations of infectious disease sample collection with me is Stanislav Forman, Product Developer at Zymo Research (CA, USA). Stan explains the extreme environments in which sample collection often occurs; revealing the difficult transit and storage requirements – often involving cold chain logistics – that can derail infectious disease studies early on.Find out how key solutions to these problems have been successfully workshopped with the US military and have even been used in work with NASA to conduct safe sample collection in space. And discover just how successful these solutions can be when faced with the blazing wreckage of a transit vehicle…ContentsIntroductions: 00:00-01:20Key challenges of sample collection for infectious disease research: 01:20-02:30Additional challenges presented by COVID-19: 02:30-05:00The emergence of at-home testing: 05:00-07:00Established practices for sample collection and introducing DNA/RNA shield: 07:00-09:00Protecting DNA/RNA samples: 09:00-11:00Working with NASA on sample collection and protection in space: 11:00-14:20Protecting samples in a blazing transit van: 14:20-15:25The impact of inactivating and preserving sample collection products on infectious disease research: 15:30-16:30Areas for improvement in sample collection: 16:30-17:30Closing statements: 17:30-19:20 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Explore the realm of epigenetics and gene expression, discovering the different omic ‘lenses' used to examine these processes and the power of single-cell studies to reveal a comprehensive multiomic view of cells and their biology. This episode features the ever-buoyant Will Greenleaf, Associate Professor of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine (CA, USA) and head of the Greenleaf Lab. Will takes us through his lab's work, detailing his attempts to understand the compacting of DNA into cell nuclei and how this impacts gene expression and epigenetic regulation.Discover the emerging new research focus that Will has coined the “Regulome” – the collection of physical molecular components that control gene expression through factors such as chromatin accessibility. To explore these new frontiers Will often encounters questions with no technologies available to ask them. So what does he do? Invent the technologies he needs! Find out how his lab came to develop the, now widely used, ATAC-Seq and learn of the new tools that he is looking to develop to solve even more perceptive questions.This episode has it all, and also reveals the potential of Will's single-cell multiomic approaches in cancer research, virology and HIV. Contents:· Introductions: 00:00-02:00· The exploring the physical genome: 02:00-03:15· Chromatin accessibility: 03:15-05:15· Introducing the ‘Regulome': 05:15-07:15· The importance of multiomics for the study of gene expression: 07:15-07:55· DNA methylation and histone organization: 07:55-10:30· Real-world impact of this research: 10:30-12:30· Will's varied career path: 12:30-16:15· Combining multiomic datasets with computational biology and physics experience: 16:15-18:40· Single-cell techniques: 18:40-21:50· Developing ATAC-Seq: 21:50-23:50· New tools in development: 23:50-27:30· Insights into the epigenetics of cancer: 27:30-29:35· Insights into virology and HIV latency: 29:35-32:10· One wish to help explore the regulome. 32:10-33:00 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode, supported by Bethyl, delves into the realm of the tumor microenvironment (TME), exploring the cells that reside there and how they interact to promote tumor growth and metastasis. Discover how immune cells are attracted and manipulated by tumor cells enabling the cancer to invade neurons where they can then travel throughout the body.Providing an expert's insight into this topic is Moran Amit, Assistant Professor at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (TX, USA). Moran exposes the nebulous interactions in the TME and describes the techniques that he uses to interrogate it, in the hope that by further understanding these interactions we will be able to design more successful, targeted therapies for neurotropic cancers.Contents:· Introductions: 00:00-01:20· The key cells of the TME: 01:20-02:50· How cells of the TME support the tumor: 02:50-05:45· How cancer cells influence and impact immune cells: 05:45-07:25· The invasion of cancers into the neurons: 07:27-9:45· Recruitment of neurons to the TME: 09:45-10:55· The evolution of neuron recruitment to the TME: 10:55-15:00· Techniques involved in the study of the TME: 15:00-17:00· Tips for best practice: 17:00-18:00· Tumors with neural networks: 18:00-20:05· Clinical impact of research: 20:05-21:50· The cancers impacted the most by this research: 21:50-23:25· The impact of neural invasion on patients and neurons: 23:25-25:30· One thing to improve our understanding of the TME: 25:30-28:00 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rare diseases present a series of challenges on numerous fronts. From simply deciphering what a patient is affected by to considering how best to manage a rare condition with limited pre-existing medications available for a rare disease, each new development or breakthrough brings clinicians to a new question. While these conditions are, in isolation, rare; in total rare diseases impact 25-30million people in the USA alone. Supported by Psomagen and featuring four fascinating guests from across the spectrum of topics and focuses in the rare disease space, this episode explores the updates to whole-genome sequencing technology that have improved the "Diagnostic Oddysey" experienced by some patients, enabled more accurate drug development and provides insight into the diagnosis and characterization of undefined rare diseases, before exploring the clinical impact whole-genome sequencing can have on clinical outcomes.This episode features insight from four field-leading experts in rare disease research, whole-genome sequencing technologies and clinical practice for patients with rare diseases, including: Alan Beggs: Director of The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Sir Edwin and Lady Manton Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard medical school Christine Stanley: Chief Director of Clinical Genomics at VariantyxDavid Dimmock: Senior Medical Director of Rady Children's Institute for Genomic MedicineTake Ogawa: Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Psomagen ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-02:30Defining the Diagnostic Oddysey: 02:30-06:20Rare disease discovery: 06:20-09:20Techniques involved in Rare disease discovery: 09:20-12:05Whole-genome sequencing updates impacting clinical diagnosis: 12:05-18:30Currently required improvements in techniques for rare disease research and management: 18:30-24:10Explaining long-read and short-read sequencing: 24:10-26:00Developing therapeutics for rare diseases: 26:00-30:00Whole-genome sequencing in animal model validation: 30:00-31:20Improving access to whole-genome available to researchers and clinicians: 31:20-33:40Whole-genome sequencing improving management and outcomes for rare diseases: 33:40-38:27 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we explore the often overlooked technique of environmental sequencing for infectious diseases and how it is being applied to the response to COVID-19. Taking the state of California as a case study of this application, I speak to Micheal Lisek, Project Manager Environmental Microbiomics at Zymo Research Corp. Micheal outlines the basis of environmental sequencing, predominantly the screening of wastewater for signs of viral RNA, the key techniques involved in the process and challenges associated with it. Micheal also explains the key pieces of information that can be obtained by environmental sequencing and the benefits of the approach vs exclusively using clinical testing. Micheal highlights the value of environmental sequencing for monitoring variants, understanding transmission patterns and identifying outbreaks, providing examples of the information provided to the public health officials in California that were used to successfully manage rising infections and limit the impact of a surge in cases.ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-01:58Introducing environmental surveillance for infectious diseases: 01:58-03:30COVID-19 response vs previous environmental sequencing work and how it has prepared people for COVID-19: 03:30-06:18The benefits of wastewater screening over clinical testing: 06:18-07:10Challenges of wastewater testing: 07:10-09:10Monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 variants: 09:10-10:55Understanding transmission patterns: 10:55-12:00Identifying signs of viral vaccine escape and tracing transmission: 12:00-14:50PCR vs NGS techniques for environmental sequencing: 14:50-16:05Tips for best practice when conducting environmental sequencing: 16:05-17:50Practical results of environmental sequencing data on outbreak suppression: 17:50-20:40Investigating mutation rates in the environmental samples: 20:40-23:20Emerging techniques in wastewater surveillance: 23:20-25:10Developing standard protocols and structure for wastewater surveillance: 25:10-28:20 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Part 3 of our COVID-19 diagnostics and detection miniseries, supported by Roche, we explore the contribution PCR has made towards diagnosis during the pandemic. Providing me with an insight into the world of PCR diagnostics is Tyler Miller, Clinical Pathology Resident and Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital (MA, USA), where he was instrumental in setting up the testing regimen for the Hospital.Ty details the attributes of PCR that lead to it becoming the gold standard for diagnostic tests, before explaining the variance in clinical detection rate during a patient's disease course and how this variation correlates with the infectivity of the patient. Ty also delves into the variety of sample collection methods available, how each of these methods compares in terms of sensitivity and their ability to be integrated into exciting novel PCR techniques.We also look at the work of the Broad Institute in establishing a mass testing effort that involved automation, workflow optimization and hundreds of new staff, ultimately leading to the delivery of 100,000 tests a day, almost 5% of the USA's total COVID-19 testing at the time. All of this rapid work has led to dramatic changes in the PCR technique and process. These changes are perhaps exemplified by PCR testing without RNA extraction and purification, which Ty explains was partly developed due to the limited supplies available to researchers at the beginning of the pandemic.ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-02:00Why PCR tests are so valuable: 02:00-03:10Changes in clinical detection rate and infectivity: 03:10-8:00Infectivity and exceptions to the rule: 08:00-09:00Sample collection methods, sensitivity and encouraging testing uptake 09:00-17:00The Broad Institute's mass testing regimen: 17:00-21:00Developments during the pandemic and no RNA extraction PCR: 21:00-27:00Dreams for improving COVID-19 testing: 27:00- 30:00This episode was supported by Roche sequencing and life science. Follow these links to find out more about the LightCycler 480 System and LightCycler 96 System. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Returning to the contentious topic of the Reproducibility crisis – the inability of many study results to be replicated by different research groups or labs – this episode, supported by Zymo Research, zeros in on the topic within the field of microbiomics. Speaking to me about the topic is Raul Cano, Chief Scientific Officer at the BioCollective. Raul discusses the crisis and explains why it is prevalent in the emerging field of microbiomics before taking a look at the key role that microbiomics is beginning to play in the field of diagnostics, and how – if we make changes now – lasting improvements can be made in the field. Raul also lays out the three key areas that are holding back reproducibility in microbiomics and explains the actions that can be taken to improve the situation.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-02:00Explaining the reproducibility crisis: 02:00-02:55How microbiomics compare to other fields in terms of reproducibility: 02:55-04:05Challenges in reproducibility specific to microbiomics: 04:05-05:45The importance of reproducibility in microbiomics: 05:45-07:00Microbiomics in diagnostics: 07:00-10:00 Three key causes of poor reproducibility in microbiomics: 10:00-11:30Is detailed documentation improving in the life sciences? 11:30- 13:00Actions that can improve reproducibility: 13:00-14:15Fecal references: 14:15-16:05The realities of preparing fecal references: 16:05-18:1 5The reception to the new fecal references: 18:15-20:35References vs Standards: 20:35-22:15Standardizing microbiomics data: 22:15-23:20Assessing reproducibility in previous studies: 23:20-25:15Dreams for reproducibility in microbiomics: 25:15-26:55 This episode is supported by Zymo Research. If you would like more information about the fecal reference mentioned in the podcast, you can visit the product page here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This International Women's Day takeover episode, with special guest host BioTechniques' Senior Digital Editor Abi Sawyer, takes a look at the results of Future Science Group's (London, UK) survey for the scientific community on gender equality and parity in STEM.Abi's guests on this episode are the Vice President of Epidemiology and Clinical Evidence at IQVIA (NC, USA), Dr Christina Mack; the Executive Director for the Pharmaceutical Research Computing Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (MD, USA), Dr Ebere Onukwugha; a Lecturer, Science Communicator and Author based in Cardiff (UK), Dr Emma Yhnell; and the Director of the Neuroscience Center Microscopy Core at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (NC, USA), Dr Michelle Itano.They discuss the results of Future Science Group's survey, share their own experiences of gender inequality as well as situations where they've felt supported, and outline how the STEM community can push further towards gender equality and parity. Contents:Introduction: 00:00 – 1:47Gender inequality, experiences and impact on STEM careers: 1:48 – 10:41Underlying reasons for gender disparity in STEM: 10:42 – 17:51Promoting gender equality in the STEM work environment: 17:52 – 30:34Looking forward: representation and mentoring: 30:35 – 39:32Conclusions: 39:33 – 40:10 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode, supported by Tecan, takes a look at the role the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) has played sequencing SARS-CoV-2 and surveying for COVID-19. To do this I speak to two key members of the consortium; Steve Paterson, Professor of genetics at the University of Liverpool and lead for the wastewater working group of COG-UK; and Josh Quick, Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Birmingham and lead at the COG-UK Sequencing working group.Steve discusses some of the techniques required to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, the challenges that such a vibrant sample can present, and gives his account of the part that wastewater surveillance played in the management of the new variant B.1.1.7.Josh provides us with further insight into the technologies used to sequence SARS-CoV-2, explains how he designed the ARTIC protocol for sequencing the virus and why it came to be so widely used. We go on to discuss the issues of limited lab consumables such as pipette tips and how you can make the most out of your limited lab supplies. Josh also describes the bizarre act of serendipity that aided in the discovery of the B.1.1.7 variant.ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-01:30Steve Paterson introduction: 01:30-02:15Introducing COG-UK: 02:15-03:20Becoming the wastewater working group lead: 03:20-04:35Key techniques and essential work in wastewater surveillance: 04:35-08:00Improving the sensitivity of sequencing and technological developments: 08:00-10:00Detecting new variants in wastewater screening: 10:00-12:15Learnings from the pandemic: 12:15-13:40Josh Quick introduction: 14:35-15:32The ARTIC protocol: 15:32-18:35Sequencing working group key techniques and key focuses 18:35-22:00Challenges of limited consumable supply and how to make the most of what you have got 22:00-24:30Learnings from the pandemic: 24:30-26:28New technologies, RC-PCR: 26:28-29:38Fantasy technology to assist with SARS-CoV-2 sequencing: 29:38-31:00Discovering the new variant B.1.17:31:00-33:30Conclusions: 33:30-34:40 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

RT-PCR, antigen and antibody testing; each has its niche and each has a flaw. But what are the key differences between each of these tests and what are the key things to consider when selecting the appropriate COVID-19 diagnostic for you? In this podcast, supported by Zymo Research, I speak to Senior Scientist in assay development Paolo Piatti in order to answer this question. Whether you are a concerned citizen looking for the best test to take to inform your behavior, or a researcher aiming to understand which testing systems you need to set up in your lab – this episode should have the answers for you.In addition to these key points, Paolo addresses the importance of testing during the rollout of vaccine programs and issues of false negatives in diagnostics, examining what, if anything, can be done to improve the accuracy of testing programs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak to a very special guest. Winner of this year's Future Science Future Star award, Andy Tay is a fantastic example of an early career researcher who has seized every opportunity with both hands and is not content to leave science as he found it. We discuss Andy's fascinating research into pain modulation using magnetic biomaterials, which got him included on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2019 and his work in science communication. Andy is a champion of diversity in STEM, something he embodies both in his science communication and in the organization of his lab. Here, he delves into the tactics he uses to promote diversity and gives us his tips on how to set up and run a diverse and inclusive lab.Andy pairs all this information with some key tips for early career researchers who may be looking to emulate his success, giving us an insight into the key moments in his childhood and early career that lead him to where he is today and teaching us some lessons about the importance of curiosity. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak to Michelle Itano, Director of the Neuroscience Center Microscopy Core at UNC-Chapel Hill and recent addition to the BioTechniques Editorial Board, about her work at the core. Michelle outlines how she has modified the core to make it possible for imaging research to continue throughout the pandemic, using a combination of specialist users and remote working techniques. Michelle provides her key learnings, from this process and last 7months, in keeping the core and her labs COVID-secure.We discuss some of the projects that have been able to continue throughout the pandemic and the recent successes of an autism trial, which provides key information on the behavioral effects, diagnosis prediction of the condition. Michell also informs me of the work the core has been involved in that directly address COVID-19, using resonance scanning to examine epithelial organoids and cell models, elucidating the utility of resonance scanning in the study of 3D structures.Episode image created by Damaris Lorenzo of the Lorenzo Lab at the UNC Microscopy Core See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I address the 'reproducibility crisis'. The concerning trend in the life sciences in which published papers and established principals are unable to be repeated by other researchers and, at times, even by the researchers who provided the initial results. To do this I speak to two researchers driving forward reproducibility in the life sciences, Marc Raphael from the United States Naval Research Laboratory, and Elizabeth Iorns, CEO of Science Exchange. Marc discusses his recent trial of independent verification and validation (IV&V) labs in a live science setting, highlighting the lessons learned from the experience and exploring the differences observed in attitudes and approaches to reproducibility between the life sciences and engineering, where mark began his career. Elizabeth discusses her work with Science Exchange and the reproducibility project: cancer biology. Elizabeth notes the key themes that have been exposed by the reproducibility project that are holding back the resolution of the crisis and explains what she thinks has worked so far in improving reproducibility. This leads to a fascinating discussion between Marc and Elizabeth, comparing and contrasting their experiences and noting the different challenges that they face in trying to improve the state of research in the life sciences. In fact, their camaraderie was so strong that interviewing these two was a real treat and for lots of it, it was much better for me to sit back and watch as they debated a topic that they are both clearly very passionate about!I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording this episode!*The Talking Techniques podcast is hosted and produced by Tristan Free for BioTechniques. We would love to here more from our listeners about your opinions on the podcast, what you would like to hear more of and what you think we could do better!Please get in contact on any of the platforms below.Twitter: @TristanFreefsgEmail: tfree@biotechniques.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak to Geoffrey Siwo about CRISPR and the challenges facing its development into a technique that can be applied equitably across the globe. Geoffrey talks about the importance of seizing the opportunity to influence the progress of the embryonic gene-editing technology for the better, before the data bias in genomic data and the disparity in researchers working on the technique leads to ingrained differences in the success of the application in different populations. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this development is also exposed.We also discuss Geoffrey's work, using CISPR in antiviral research to as a way of identifying small molecules capable of inducing broad-spectrum antiviral responses, with the potential to combat SARS-CoV-2. Tune in to find out how Geoffrey believes we can develop CRISPR to be a truly equitable technology and to hear just how hopeful he is for the future of the technique. *The Talking Techniques podcast is hosted and produced by Tristan Free for BioTechniques. We would love to here more from our listeners about your opinions on the podcast, what you would like to hear more of and what you think we could do better!Please get in contact on any of the platforms below.Twitter: @TristanFreefsgEmail: tfree@biotechniques.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.