Best BioTechniques Podcasts (2024)

1
Skills-based teaching and microcredentialing in STEM 54:22

3M ago54:22

54:22

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 Skil…

1
Antigen validation and T-cell receptor engineering for cancer immunotherapies 19:41

4M ago19:41

19:41

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, an…

1
Cytokines: from therapeutics to diagnostics 26:11

4M ago26:11

26:11

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 thi…

1
Spatial analysis of the immune-cell-surface proteome at a single-cell resolution 23:58

8M ago23:58

23:58

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 …

1
Investigating the neurological pathways underlying vocal communication 34:27

9M ago34:27

34:27

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 techniq…

1
Rare disease and pharmacogenomics 20:18

10M ago20:18

20:18

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 Medic…

1
One man’s waste in another man’s treasure: using wastewater to monitor infectious diseases 20:47

11M ago20:47

20:47

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 i…

1
Next-generation antibody therapeutics 24:52

12M ago24:52

24:52

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 Bi…

1
Investigating resistant leukemia with single-cell technologies 9:50

1y ago9:50

9:50

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 sh…

1
CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapies 27:35

1+ y ago27:35

27:35

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 therapi…

1
Mitochondria, the immune system and cancer: discovering new insights with spatial technologies 24:28

1+ y ago24:28

24:28

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,…

1
Long-read sequencing, metagenomics and the microbiome 22:18

1+ y ago22:18

22:18

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, G…

1
Open neuroscience and the meaning of FAIR 37:53

2y ago37:53

37:53

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 th…

1
Welcome to the jungle: sequencing for conservation 43:22

2y ago43:22

43:22

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 …

1
Neuropixels: big data heaven or burying the lead in averages? 19:30

2y ago19:30

19:30

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 …

1
Microbiome profiling techniques: from immunology to agriculture 22:10

2y ago22:10

22:10

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 Scientis…

1
The gut–brain axis and addiction 29:39

2y ago29:39

29:39

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 …

1
3D cell cultures: the latest developments, applications and regulations in the field 30:22

2y ago30:22

30:22

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, removin…

1
rAAVs, host-cell contamination and ddPCR 26:38

2+ y ago26:38

26:38

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 Laborat…

1
HPV, epigenetics and cancer: sequencing for new insights and to correct healthcare inequality 17:00

2+ y ago17:00

17:00

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 ca…

1
Artificial intelligence in healthcare 30:29

2+ y ago30:29

30:29

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…

1
Liquid biopsy and cfNAs: driving forward diagnostics and disease research 22:16

2+ y ago22:16

22:16

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, …

1
The evolution of recombinant antibodies 17:58

2+ y ago17:58

17:58

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 monoclona…

1
The epigenetic clock 24:47

2+ y ago24:47

24:47

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 ho…

1
Resolving spatial biology in neuroscience 30:23

2+ y ago30:23

30:23

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…

1
Introducing STEM Tea 34:54

2+ y ago34:54

34:54

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 …

1
Cell proliferation in drug screening 20:41

3y ago20:41

20:41

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 combinati…

1
Synthetic biology: from cancer to the climate crisis 26:01

3y ago26:01

26:01

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…

1
Establishing an epigenetic lens to explore cancer and infectious diseases 23:40

3y ago23:40

23:40

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 Resear…

1
Target enrichment for NGS: why, how and what's next? 18:00

3y ago18:00

18:00

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 ep…

1
Producing challenging proteins in the golden age of protein engineering 19:58

3y ago19:58

19:58

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 …

1
The evolution of PCR: From q to dd and beyond 24:50

3y ago24:50

24:50

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…

1
Molecular therapeutics: how far have we come and what's on the horizon? 37:53

3y ago37:53

37:53

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 …

1
Adeno-associated viral therapies: harnessing the power of HPLC 20:12

3y ago20:12

20:12

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…

1
Organoids: advancing drug discovery and cancer research 33:07

3+ y ago33:07

33:07

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…

1
The ethics of whole-genome sequencing: from race and religion to science fiction 27:17

3+ y ago27:17

27:17

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 capab…

1
Revitalizing the western blot 22:00

3+ y ago22:00

22:00

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 …

1
From space to the streets: infectious disease sampling in extreme conditions and extraordinary circumstances 19:21

3+ y ago19:21

19:21

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, P…

1
Revealing the regulome: using multiomic approaches to explore epigenetics and DNA expression 33:28

3+ y ago33:28

33:28

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 o…

1
The oncolytic Trojan horse: Immune cells, the tumor microenvironment and the invasion of neurons 29:10

3+ y ago29:10

29:10

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.…

1
Whole-genome-sequencing: navigating the "Diagnostic Odyssey" in rare disease research 39:28

3+ y ago39:28

39:28

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 isolati…

1
The wonders of wastewater surveillance for COVID-19 28:46

3+ y ago28:46

28:46

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 b…

1
How PCR has prevailed during the COVID-19 pandemic 30:03

3+ y ago30:03

30:03

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 …

1
Reproducibility in microbiomics 27:05

3+ y ago27:05

27:05

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. R…

1
How can we achieve gender equality in STEM? 40:10

3+ y ago40:10

40:10

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 Evide…

1
COG-UK: sequencing SARS-CoV-2 and detecting the novel variant B.1.1.7 34:41

3+ y ago34:41

34:41

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 Jo…

1
COVID-19 diagnostics: which test should you choose? 21:14

4y ago21:14

21:14

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 o…

1
Andy Tay: Forbes, awards and championing diversity in STEM 20:03

4y ago20:03

20:03

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 biomat…

1
How has neuroimaging continued and flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic? 24:17

4y ago24:17

24:17

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 …

1
The reproducibility crisis: where are we now and how can we progress? 32:36

4y ago32:36

32:36

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 li…

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