Speaking of Mol Bio

Hosted by Thermo Fisher Scientific

ScienceInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Speaking of Mol Bio, a podcast series from Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses trending applications in science and the molecular biology aspects of those applications. Our host delves in to deep discussion with CEOs, R&D scientists, researchers, and key opinion leaders across the globe. Speaking of Mol Bio helps scientific curious people - from all scientific and non-scientific backgrounds - understand how modern molecular biology applications can help push the boundaries in medicine, science, drug discovery, and in the cure and treatment of diseases. Music from NOWHERE by ikson™ (https://www.iksonmusic.com)

Listen to episodes

52 recent

June 10, 20267 min

From prototype to production – solving the scale-up gap

Great science doesn’t always translate into a scalable product, and that gap can stall even the most promising innovations. In this Mol Bio Minutes episode, Steve Lewis explores a common challenge in biotech: moving from a validated assay or prototype to a commercially viable product. While scientific teams often achieve strong early results, scaling requires coordination across design, engineering, materials, and manufacturing, which typically involves multiple vendors. This fragmented process introduces delays, misalignment, and risk. The episode highlights how physical product design, especially for consumables like microfluidic cartridges or custom plastics, can ultimately determine whether a solution reaches the market. By integrating design, prototyping, and manufacturing under one roof, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Plastics Prototyping Services aim to streamline this transition. Early consideration of materials, manufacturability, and reagent compatibility enables faster iteration and more efficient scale-up, particularly for startups navigating growth stages. Ultimately, the message is clear: if your biology works but your product doesn’t scale, the problem is solvable. With the right integrated approach, innovation doesn’t have to stall, it can move efficiently from idea to impact. Helpful resources and links: Learn more about Thermo Fisher Plastics Prototyping Services Access information about reagents and raw materials for use in your product(s) Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

May 27, 202630 min

The real cost of PCR - beyond price per reaction

Not all experiments are created equal, and neither are the decisions behind them. In this episode, Cam Cyr explores how scientists navigate the balance between cost and performance in molecular biology workflows. Drawing from his experience as a technical sales specialist, Cam breaks down what “performance” really means in practice, from enzyme fidelity and sensitivity to reproducibility and inhibitor tolerance. He highlights how these factors become critical in high-stakes applications like antibody engineering or single-cell analysis, where errors can propagate and compromise entire workflows. Through examples like reverse transcription enzymes and high-fidelity polymerases, Cam illustrates why premium products are often essential when working with rare samples or build-critical steps. At the same time, he explains where cost-saving approaches make sense where results are binary and easy to replicate, such as genotyping or routine screening. Ultimately, the conversation reframes how scientists should think about cost, not as price per reaction, but as cost per successful result. Along the way, Cam shares his career journey from bench science to a customer-facing role, offering perspective on the many paths available in life sciences and the importance of staying curious. Suggested Links: View Thermo Fisher reverse transcription and PCR enzymes Learn more about Thermo Scientific™ EquiPhi29™ DNA Polymerase Explore careers at Thermo Fisher Scientific Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

May 13, 202614 min

The molecular toolkit behind HIV research

HIV research is one of the clearest examples of molecular biology in action. In this Mol Bio Minutes episode, Dr. Ryan Jeep walks through how fundamental molecular techniques power everything from detection to drug resistance studies to cure-focused research. Ryan begins with HIV biology and detection, explaining how qRT-PCR enables highly sensitive viral load measurement. These assays not only detection strategies but also support research to monitor treatment efficacy and viral rebound. From there, he moves into drug resistance, describing how sequencing, RT-PCR, and cloning strategies help researchers map resistance-associated mutations. By generating recombinant reporter viruses and measuring infectivity against different drugs, scientists can better understand treatment failure and move toward more personalized therapeutic strategies. Finally, Ryan explores cutting-edge cure research, including CRISPR-Cas9 approaches aimed at either disabling integrated viral genomes or engineering HIV-resistant immune cells. Across all three areas one theme remains constant: PCR, sequencing, and cloning form the technological backbone of HIV research. As these tools continue to evolve, so too does the potential to improve outcomes and one day eliminate the virus entirely. Since recording this episode, Ryan has joined KBI Biopharma as a Scientist l in their Formulation Development Group. Helpful resources and links: Access Stanford University’s HIV Drug Resistance Database. Visit International AIDS Society’s Towards an HIV Cure site, which includes resources. Access Thermo Fisher PCR resources and products. Learn about RT-qPCR, which is relevant to HIV research. Explore the cloning technologies referenced in this episode. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

April 22, 202630 min

DNA-encoded library use in living cells for drug discovery

In this episode of Speaking of Mol Bio, host Steve Lewis speaks with Dr. Leif Larsen, Director of Biology at Vipergen, about the power of DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) in modern drug discovery. DEL technology enables researchers to screen extremely large chemical libraries by attaching a unique DNA barcode to each compound, allowing millions, or even hundreds of millions, of compounds to be analyzed simultaneously through sequencing. Larsen explains how Vipergen’s platform flips traditional screening methods by storing massive compound libraries in a single tube and identifying binding interactions through DNA sequencing. He also describes their proprietary Binder Trap Enrichment (BTE) method, which links DNA barcodes when compounds successfully bind their protein targets. One of the company’s most innovative advances is performing DEL screening inside living Xenopus oocytes. By expressing target proteins in these large cells and microinjecting DNA-encoded libraries, researchers can evaluate binding events in a physiologically relevant environment. The discussion also explores how this technology accelerates early drug discovery timelines and enables screening of difficult targets such as transcription factors and membrane proteins. Larsen closes by highlighting emerging areas such as PROTAC-based targeted protein degradation and how DEL screening can help identify molecules suitable for these next-generation therapeutic strategies. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

April 8, 202613 min

Choosing the right PCR method for your experiment

In this Mol Bio Minutes mini-episode of Speaking of Mol Bio, Dr. Andrea Hunger walks listeners through the practical differences between three core PCR approaches: endpoint PCR, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and digital PCR. Drawing on her experience in both academic research and industry, she explains how each technique provides different types of information and why choosing the right one depends on the biological question being asked. Endpoint PCR is the simplest method and is ideal for basic presence-or-absence questions such as confirming cloning success or genotyping samples. While fast and accessible, it does not provide quantitative information. For experiments requiring measurement of gene expression levels or comparisons between samples, qPCR offers a powerful solution by monitoring amplification in real time and using Ct values and standard curves to estimate starting concentrations. Hunger then discusses digital PCR, a newer technology that partitions samples into many micro-reactions to enable highly precise, absolute quantification of nucleic acids. Because it counts positive and negative partitions directly, digital PCR is especially valuable for detecting rare mutations, low-abundance targets, and applications like liquid biopsy analysis. Ultimately, she emphasizes that these PCR approaches are complementary tools, and the best experimental strategy is to choose the method that provides the level of information required for the next step in a research workflow. Helpful resource links mentioned in this episode: Access educational eBook covering all three types of PCR and their use in gene expression analysis. Watch a video on when to choose digital vs. real-time PCR. Use the PCR primer design tool from Thermo Fisher. Access Harvard’s PrimerBank, a public resource of PCR primers. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

March 25, 202636 min

From bench to bushland ─ developing a koala chlamydia vaccine

In this Season 4 premiere of Speaking of Mol Bio, host Steve Lewis speaks with Dr. Nina Pollak from the University of the Sunshine Coast about the development of a single-dose vaccine aimed at protecting endangered koalas from Chlamydia pecorum. The disease is a major threat to koala populations across eastern Australia, contributing to infertility, blindness, and increased mortality. Pollak’s work focuses on optimizing the production and quality control of vaccine antigens while supporting regulatory approval and field trials that ultimately led to a conditional minor-use permit from Australia’s veterinary regulatory authority. The vaccine relies on recombinant versions of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) from three dominant chlamydial genotypes. Using standard molecular biology techniques, including gene cloning in E. coli, His-tag purification, SDS-PAGE verification, western blotting, and mass spectrometry, Pollak’s team produces and verifies these vaccine antigens before combining them with adjuvants to stimulate protective immune responses. Beyond the science, the episode explores the challenges of conservation-focused vaccinology: field vaccination of wild animals, limited commercial incentives, and the importance of methods for monitoring disease prevalence. Pollak also reflects on the collaborative nature of the decade-long project and offers advice to young scientists pursuing difficult but meaningful research challenges. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

December 24, 202516 min

How RCA supercharges NGS library prep

In this Mol Bio Minutes mini-episode, Laurynas Alijošius shares how Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) provides a reliable, high-yield approach for amplifying circular DNA prior to next-generation sequencing (NGS). This isothermal method avoids the need for thermal cycling and even bypasses the need for specific primers—making it ideal for challenging viral genomes, rare targets, or field samples.Powered by the strand-displacing phi29 DNA polymerase, RCA amplifies DNA with impressive sensitivity and minimal GC bias. Laurynas breaks down the steps of multiple displacement amplification (MDA), explains why exonuclease-resistant primers are important, and explores how engineered polymerases like EquiPhi29™ DNA Polymerase dramatically improve yield and reduce reaction times. RCA products can be cleaned up and debranched to support a range of downstream workflows, including nanopore sequencing and transcriptomics.From single-cell genomics to phage-based applications and in vitro expression systems, RCA is more than just a pre-NGS step; it’s a versatile tool with broad utility. Whether you're stabilizing viral RNA or tackling ultra-low-input samples, RCA and whole genome amplification offer new flexibility for today’s demanding sequencing workflows. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

December 10, 202533 min

No cold chain? No problem—inside the world of lyo-beads

Applyo Jena is building a freeze-dried future, one bead at a time. In this episode, Dr. Hanno Hermann and Dr. Thanh Tu Hellmich-Duong walk us through how their lyo-bead technology emerged from the challenges of field-based HIV diagnostics and evolved into a flexible platform that stabilizes everything from enzymes to magnetic nanoparticles, without the need for refrigeration.From diagnostics research to therapeutics, this lyophilization platform is solving key pain points in reagent formulation, shipping, and field use. Hanno and Thanh Tu explain how lyo-beads offer precise, single-use reagent doses with near-instantaneous rehydration, minimal batch-to-batch variability, and extended ambient temperature stability. Whether it's for isothermal RT-LAMP, next-gen sequencing prep, or phage-based application, Applyo’s platform unlocks new formats, simplifies logistics, and lowers the environmental burden of molecular workflows.With new hires, new markets, and new product lines on the horizon, Applyo Jena is poised for a decade of growth and maybe even a hand in reshaping the way freeze-dried pharmaceuticals are developed and delivered. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

November 20, 202512 min

Simmer, don’t cycle—a molecular biologist’s guide to RPA

In this Mol Bio Minutes episode, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Monika Jazdauskaitė dives into the versatile world of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA). Unlike PCR, RPA operates at a constant, low temperature (around 37–42°C), enabling fast, equipment-light workflows that are ideal for field diagnostics and decentralized labs. Monika explains how the method works and why RPA is emerging as a go-to technique for both DNA and RNA target detection.She highlights RPA’s specificity, sensitivity, and robustness against common inhibitors like ethanol and heparin, critical for applications like respiratory pathogen detection or low-quality sample inputs. Plus, she shares how RPA’s gentle conditions and lyophilization compatibility make it a strong candidate for stabilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries, especially those with high GC content.Whether you're looking to simplify pathogen detection or streamline your sequencing prep, RPA offers a compelling alternative to traditional amplification. And with ready-to-use kits like the Invitrogen™ Lyo-ready RPA Kit, Thermo Fisher is helping researchers bring speed and stability to molecular workflows, all with no thermal cycler required. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

November 5, 202535 min

De-risking drug development using functional human tissues

In this episode of Speaking of Mol Bio, Dr. Andre Ghetti, CEO of AnaBios, offers a deep dive into the world of translational preclinical research. AnaBios is redefining early human insights by using ethically sourced, functional human tissues and cells to generate actionable data before compounds ever enter clinical trials. Ghetti walks us through the company’s approach of offering human-relevant safety and efficacy data, validating drug targets, and supporting everything from small startups to major pharma groups.We learn how AnaBios engages with clients to customize assays, especially in high-need areas like non-opioid pain therapies, fibrosis, and cardiac safety, and how they use a blend of standardized and novel functional assays, some of which required building their own hardware. He also discusses their integration of RT-PCR, RNA-seq, and calcium imaging, including genetically encoded sensors to monitor neuronal activity at scale.From their use of machine learning to analyze massive data sets, to collaborations with the FDA, to their unique ability to preserve tissue viability across the U.S., AnaBios offers a powerful glimpse into the future of translational biology. Dr. Ghetti also shares advice for young scientists and reflects on what’s next for AnaBios, including oncology and stem-cell model integration. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology.  For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing