Discover how human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)—once key to organ transplantation—are now transforming cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune disease treatment. Marcelo Fernandez Vina, Director of the Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Laboratory at Stanford Blood Center, and Dave Lowe, Senior Director of R&D, Transplant Diagnostics at Thermo Fisher, reveal how this decades-old tool is reshaping modern medicine.

Explore the future of medicine in this podcast episode on gene therapy. Hear from Namritha Ravinder, Director, Cell and Gene Therapy R&D at Thermo Fisher, about the latest breakthroughs, innovative technologies and how the industry can bring lifesaving therapies to more patients.

Explore how the biotech and pharma industries tackle environmental challenges. Join My Green Lab CEO James Connelly and Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Senior Director of Global Sustainability Alyssa Caddle on Science with a Twist as they discuss strategies for creating greener research laboratories.

In this episode of Science With a Twist, join host Terri Somers as she explores how Thermo Fisher Scientific leverages science, innovation, and customer relationships to help drive health equity, which is described as a state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to reach their highest level of health. Thermo Fisher is continually working to improve health equity through its Healthier Communities Initiative. Joining Terri to share the details of the global program on this episode are guests Fred Lowery, executive vice president and resident, Laboratory Products and Bioproduction, and Meron H. Mathias, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

In this episode of "Science with a Twist," host Terri Somers speaks with Dr. Rose Blackburne, MBA, Vice President, Medical Science and Strategy, and Global Head of General Medicine and Women’s Health at the PPD clinical research business at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Dr. Blackburne, a thought leader in women’s health and clinical trials, emphasizes the critical need for diversity in clinical trials to achieve health equity, highlighting how different populations experience varying symptoms and responses to treatments. She explains that women’s health goes beyond reproductive issues, providing examples of diseases that impact far more women than men. She also explains why, historically, women were excluded from clinical trials and recent measures that are helping to ensure equitable representation.

In this episode of Science with a Twist, host Terri Somers speaks with Kat Knauer, Ph.D., Senior Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Chief Technology Officer of the BOTTLE Consortium. They delve into both the value of plastics and the pervasive issue of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment. Kat shares insights on the role scientific research and industries play in addressing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. Kat’s expertise offers listeners a deeper understanding of the complexities of plastic pollution and the collective effort needed to forge a sustainable future, including: • An overview of some innovative solutions for recycling and the development of new, more sustainable plastics. • The importance of reducing single-use plastics in our daily lives, as well as in research labs and the broader biotech field. • Kat also shines a spotlight on a couple of collaborations with Amazon and Patagonia, each of which aims to create a more circular economy for plastics. Kat has a concise call to action for listeners, as individuals and as professionals in the life sciences: make the effort to reduce plastics usage and improve recycling habits.

In this episode of Science with a Twist, Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) at the FDA, joins host Dr. Timothy Miller to dive into the complexities and promise of gene therapy. They discuss the potential of gene therapy to revolutionize medicine, narrowing in on the scientific progress made and recent advancements in treating patients and families with Rare Diseases. Dr. Marks shares insights on the FDA's role in ensuring safety and efficacy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies, researchers, and developers. Efforts related to the profround work of the public/private partnerships funding the Accelerating Medicines Partnerships Bespoke Gene Therapy Consotritum are also highlighted. The conversation also explores the many challenges of bringing the promise of gene therapies to patients, including, cost, accessibility, and ethical considerations. Dr. Marks outlines the FDA's efforts to streamline the approval process while maintaining rigorous standards, highlighting the careful balance between innovation and patient safety. Finally, the episode touches on the future of gene and genetic therapies, with Dr. Marks expressing optimism about their ability to treat previously incurable diseases as well as common, everyday conditions. He stresses the importance of public education and engagement to navigate the complexities of these new treatments and higlights the need for industry partners like Thermo Fishing in empowering the science thru applying novel creativity and innovaiton. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of gene therapy's current state and its promising future.

In this episode of Science with a Twist, host Rosy Lee welcomes Joshua J. Coon, a distinguished professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and head of Coon Laboratories. They dive into the fascinating world of mass spectrometry and its revolutionary impact on biomedical research. Coon shares his journey from rural Michigan to a leading figure in mass spectrometry, highlighting his passion for both science and instrument building. The conversation shifts to Joshua's groundbreaking work in his lab. He explains how mass spectrometry enables the detailed study of biological systems, from cellular components to complex tissues. Coon's team uses this technology to identify and quantify thousands of molecules, offering deep insights into genetic and lifestyle impacts on molecular behavior in organisms. A significant part of the discussion focuses on how Joshua's research contributes to understanding diseases. By linking specific proteins to metabolic disorders and diseases like Alzheimer's, his work paves the way for potential new treatments and diagnostics. This episode not only sheds light on the technical aspects of mass spectrometry but also underscores its vital role in advancing human health.

In this episode of Science with a Twist, host Dr. Obiageli Okafor dives into the pressing issue of global health equity in HIV treatment, emphasizing the pivotal role of HIV drug resistance testing. She highlights Brazil's commendable efforts, which include providing free antiretroviral drugs and access to no-cost CD4 and viral load testing. This proactive approach has led to a significant reduction in HIV cases in the country. Guest Dr. Ricardo Diaz, a renowned infectious disease expert from Brazil, shares his insights on the challenges and successes of Brazil's HIV treatment journey. He underscores the emergence of HIV drug resistance and the urgent need for genotype testing to tailor treatments effectively. The discussion further reveals the alarming scale of drug resistance. Despite the strides made, there remains a gap between the number of resistance tests conducted and the actual need, emphasizing the continuous battle against HIV.

Semiconductors are silicon chips that conduct electricity in concrete and sophisticated ways, allowing them to be the brains of most devices that drive our modern lives. But despite the projections saying the semiconductor industry will hit the trillion-dollar mark by 2030, it's still facing many challenges. For instance, supply shortages have led to bottlenecks in the production of everything from cars to home appliances. The deficit shows how critical these tiny silicon chips are to the smooth functioning of the global economy. In this episode of Science with a Twist, our host Keith Cornell is joined by two subject matter experts from the semiconductor industry, Geoff Downing and Mark Mattison, to discuss the importance of semiconductors, the challenges the industry has been facing, and what the future holds for this technology.