Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar

We’re kicking off season seven with an in-depth look at the wild world of ophthalmology, where scientists are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for vision treatments. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian is joined by guests Deepak Lamba, Director and Distinguished Scientist, Ophthalmology, and Susie Crowell, Senior Director, Project Team Leader, to explore the latest in the field of ophthalmology since our season five episode on eye diseases. Together, they dive into the bizarre biology of how our eyes actually work, unpack how and why eye diseases develop, and discuss how transformative new therapies could one day restore sight. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-wild-world-of-eyeballs

Your favorite science podcast is back! To kick off season seven of Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar, hosts Maria Wilson and Danielle Mandikian sit down to celebrate a decade of the podcast and look back at our previous season on unmet medical needs. But what’s next? Get ready for a season that’s going bigger than ever before. To mark the 50th anniversary of Genentech, Maria and Danielle will draw a thread from the seminal breakthroughs of the last 50 years in biotechnology to the incredible innovations that will shape the next decade and beyond. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/season-seven-teaser

In our season six finale, we dive deeper into how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of drug discovery and scientific research. With remarkable scale and speed, AI models parse through complex datasets and confirm or generate hypotheses, which can help scientists accelerate R&D. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian welcomes Aviv Regev, Head of gRED, and Jure Leskovec, Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, to talk about foundation models and autonomous agents. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges of applying AI in drug discovery, including balancing innovation with scientific rigor and the evolving role of scientists. They also discuss how AI is reshaping the future of research — from building more biologically meaningful models to advancing agent-based systems and lab automation. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/foundation-models-and-agents

From our first breath, the air we breathe and our genes shape how our lungs function. It’s a complex interplay we began exploring in our season four episode “Take A Deep Breath: Treating Asthma.” Today, we’re branching out to discuss lung biology and the diseases that make it difficult to breathe. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson speaks with Dorothy Cheung, Executive Group Medical Director, and Daniel Lafkas, Senior Principal Scientist, Translational Discovery Research, Roche, to understand how conditions with unmet need like chronic bronchitis and emphysema disrupt lung function. They discuss the challenges to treating lung diseases and explore promising approaches, from cutting-edge imaging technologies that help researchers uncover early drivers of disease, to treatments aimed at stopping the loss of lung function and restoring it. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/decoding-lung-disease

Cell therapy holds immense potential to transform the way we treat conditions in oncology, ophthalmology, autoimmune disorders, and a wide range of other therapeutic areas. But how do these engineered cells work, and how do scientists ensure they are safe and function as intended? In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with Todd McDevitt, Head of Cell Therapy, to discuss how cell therapies operate within the body, the challenges researchers face in this field, and the advancements needed to unlock their full potential for patients. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/cells-at-work

Digital twins are virtual models of real-world systems that have been gaining momentum as a powerful tool in drug discovery and development. We touched on this concept last season when we covered computational advancements in drug discovery. Now, we’re taking a deeper dive into the power of digital twins. By leveraging genomics, physical health data, lab results, and other clinical datasets, digital twins allow researchers to model certain diseases, help predict treatment outcomes, and more efficiently optimize dosing strategies for clinical studies. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson is joined by Iraj Hosseini, Distinguished Scientist and Director, gRED Development Sciences, to explore how digital twins could simulate thousands of "what if" scenarios, paving the way for faster and more patient-centric therapeutic strategies. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-power-of-digital-twins

Each season we discuss new, exciting breakthroughs in cancer research. With evolving technologies enhancing how we understand and target the underlying drivers of cancer, the journey to developing more effective and safer therapies is advancing rapidly. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian speaks with first-time guest Jennifer Schutzman, Executive Group Medical Director, Early Clinical Development, and returning guest Fred de Sauvage, Vice President of Research Oncology, about the innovative approaches scientists are taking to redefine cancer care. They discuss the promise of earlier detection and intervention, patient-centered treatment strategies, persistent challenges in the field, and how scientists are working to close the gap on unmet needs in cancer care. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/new-frontiers-in-cancer

We published our first episode on the threat of antibiotic resistance in 2016, and nearly a decade later, it remains one of the world’s most pressing health crises. Today, with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the race to develop new antibiotics is evolving. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with guests Tommaso Biancalani, Distinguished Scientist and Director of Biological Research and AI Development, and Steven Rutherford, Senior Principal Scientist and Director of Infectious Diseases in Research Biology, to share the latest in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Together, they discuss the challenges of antibiotic discovery and development, and how AI could streamline the process of identifying novel antibiotics within the vast, uncharted chemical universe. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/ai-and-the-quest-for-new-antibiotics

As we kick off season six, we’re diving deeper into one of our most popular topics from last season – our evolving understanding of obesity. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson unpacks the latest in obesity biology and management with Manu Chakravarthy, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Product Development, who discusses the stigma associated with obesity and how thousands of years of human evolution contribute to this chronic condition. While lifestyle, diet and exercise modifications are still essential in addressing the biological factors that drive obesity, they explore how emerging treatments have the potential to rewire the brain’s hunger and satiety signals – offering a more personalized, sustainable approach. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/digging-deeper-into-obesity

Join Danielle Mandikian and Maria Wilson as they kick off season six of Two Scientists Walk Into A Bar. Hear what they’ve been up to in the past few months and enjoy a sneak preview of the exciting topics ahead. This season, we’re focusing on unmet needs and will dive deeper into lung diseases, regenerative medicine, and cell therapies. We’ll also check in on the latest advances in obesity, antibiotic resistance, and AI in drug discovery. We've got an impressive lineup of brilliant guests that you won’t want to miss! Subscribe today to get notified about our latest episodes. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/season-six-teaser

Machine learning and generative AI are transforming the ways we live and work, but how do these tools fit into the landscape of drug discovery? In our season 5 finale, co-host Danielle Mandikian is joined by Rich Bonneau, Vice President of Machine Learning, Drug Discovery, to break down the fast-paced, expansive – and sometimes perplexing – world of AI and biology. Together, they discuss the importance of integrating machine learning with traditional lab work, the need for minimizing bias in datasets, and the exciting potential for these technologies to unlock better and more complex medicines. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/ai-and-the-future-of-medicine

Small molecules, antibodies, gene therapies – there are so many types of medicines scientists can consider when developing a new treatment for a disease. In this episode, Karin Briner, Senior Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery, joins co-host Maria Wilson to break down different therapeutic modalities, or types of treatments. Together, they cover a wide range of modalities in our drug development toolbox – including RNA-based therapies, large molecules, cell therapies, and newer small molecule approaches like protein degraders – highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by each while also providing a look ahead to innovations that could lead to more effective treatments for a range of diseases. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/a-deep-dive-into-drug-modalities

Did you know that scientists can grow three-dimensional, miniature versions of human organs in a dish? These tiny in vitro models, known as organoids, are helping scientists to better understand human disease and to test new treatments. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with Kim Homan, Senior Director and Distinguished Scientist, Complex in vitro Systems Lab, to discuss the fascinating world of organoids and organ-on-chip technologies. They delve into how these systems are transforming drug development, where AI and ML come into play, and how organoid models could lead to more accurate predictions, better clinical studies, and improved patient outcomes. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/organoids-from-dish-to-discovery

To defeat cancer, we need to understand it better. How does it grow? How do we detect it early? And most importantly, how do we treat it? In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson chats with oncology expert Louis Vermeulen, VP and Senior Fellow, Discovery Oncology, about what’s new and exciting in cancer research. Together, they explore the importance of early detection, explain concepts like the tumor microenvironment, discuss cancer treatment approaches, and dive into how tools like artificial intelligence are accelerating research in the oncology space. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/cancer-conversations-early-detection-and-potent-solutions

What drives metabolic conditions like obesity? In this special episode, co-host and cardiovascular disease expert Maria Wilson, gRED Executive Director and Cardiovascular and Metabolism Research Head, takes the hot seat with fellow host Danielle Mandikian, gRED Senior Principal Scientist, to discuss the complex world of obesity. Tune in to hear about the biological and environmental factors contributing to this chronic disease, its profound effects on health, societal implications, as well as the latest and upcoming treatment approaches for obesity and related metabolic conditions. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-streets-and-deets-of-obesity

Antibodies are proteins produced by our immune system that neutralize or help destroy abnormal cells and foreign agents, like bacteria and viruses. However, their utility extends beyond our bodies’ defense system. Antibodies can also be engineered in the lab to be used as therapies. Today, over 170 antibodies have been approved as medicines to treat a wide range of diseases including cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and more. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson chats with guests Yan Wu, VP and Senior Fellow, Antibody Engineering, and Paul Carter, Genentech Fellow, Antibody Engineering, to discuss all things antibodies! Learn about the history of therapeutic antibodies, how advances in antibody engineering are creating new classes of medicines, and the promising role of artificial intelligence in designing antibodies from scratch and optimizing their therapeutic activity. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/engineering-therapeutic-antibodies

Many health conditions require medicines that can be delivered to specific parts of the body. For instance, someone with asthma requires medication that targets the lungs, while someone with a neurodegenerative disease needs therapeutics that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. But how do scientists create medicines that not only reach their intended targets but also produce the desired pharmacological effect while minimizing side effects and ensuring convenience for the patient? In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian chats with Karthik Nagapudi, Executive Director of Pharmaceutics, to explore the pivotal role of drug delivery strategies, highlighting how incorporating drug delivery considerations from the initial stages of drug development is crucial for creating next-generation medications. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/no-delivery-no-drug

Imagine the eyes as cameras, where the cornea acts as the lens and the retina as the film. As with a camera, if something goes wrong in the eye, it needs to be fixed to address the specific problem and restore function. While some visual impairments can be corrected with glasses or surgery, some conditions require medicines – like those that slow or stop blood vessel growth in the eye. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian joins guests Chris Brittain, Vice President and Global Head of Ophthalmology Product Development, and Dolly Chang, Group Medical Director, gRED Early Clinical Development, to explore the evolution of eye treatments, advancements in current solutions for vision loss, and their insights into the future of treating ocular diseases. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/seeing-clearly-the-past-present-and-future-of-eye-treatment