Sounds of Science

 When Jack Burke was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF) at age two, his family was met with uncertainty and few treatment options. Nearly two decades later, that diagnosis has inspired a mission. In this episode of Sounds of Science, Jack and his parents, Beth and Jake Burke, share how their journey led to the creation of Cure NF with Jack, an organization that has raised more than $4 million to advance NF research and advocacy. They also discuss Jack’s unique perspective as both a patient advocate and a Charles River intern, where he's experiencing firsthand how science and innovation can help shape the future of human health. 

Show Notes  

CRISPR Cas9 Gene Editing | Charles River 

Gene Therapy Services | Charles River
Rare Disease Research for Drug Development | Charles River 

Crusade to Cure Jack | Eureka
How Rare Diseases are Driving Gene Therapy Research | Eureka 

Charles River Presents: Patient Advocates from World Congress 
Cure NF with Jack 

Animal welfare has been a priority since the beginning of lab animal research. After hundreds of years of working alongside lab animals, there is still more to learn about how they like to live, how they prefer to be handled, and how to make them as comfortable as possible. I am joined by Carly O’Malley, 3Rs Scientist for Animal Welfare and Training at Charles River, to discuss her most research into keeping our models happy and healthy. 

Description/Summary: 

What if mental health treatment started with changing how the brain connects? 

In this episode of Sounds of Science, neuropharmacologist Dr. Allison Feduccia explains how psychedelic‑assisted therapies may quiet rigid brain patterns, open new pathways, and reshape how we treat depression, trauma, and addiction.

Show Notes 

• Psychedelic Studies | Charles River 
• Preclinical MRI In Vitro Imaging Services | Charles River 
• Preclinical Neuroscience CRO Services | Charles River 

For this discussion we brought together experts Dr. Matthias Herzler and Dr. Hennicke Kamp from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and Charles River’s Head of Regulatory Affairs Ira Koval to discuss the European Union’s Roadmap for phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments. What does the roadmap really say, and what will implementation look like? How can we balance the public’s call for action with their safety? Listen now to find out! 

What happens when cutting‑edge science meets one of the most devastating pediatric cancers? In this episode of Sounds of Science, Dr. Aled Edwards discusses how open, collaborative research is helping scientists confront rare and fatal childhood cancers like diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and what it means when a potential therapy moves closer to reaching children who urgently need it. 

Show Notes 

• The Disruptors: Meet Aled 
• Oncology In Vivo Imaging Solutions | Charles River 
• Oncology CRO Services | Charles River 
• Open Science: The Parallel Universe | Podcast 
• A Deadly Brain Cancer in Children | Blog 

When Andrew Miner’s son James was diagnosed with an ultra-rare YWHAG mutation, the path forward was anything but clear. In this compelling episode of Sounds of Science, Andrew shares his family’s journey, the inspiration behind founding the YWHAG Foundation, and how advancing research is creating new possibilities and renewed hope for families affected by rare diseases.

www.ywhagfoundation.org.
https://www.criver.com/eureka/ywhag-ultra-rare-mutation-family-hunts-solutions

 From hantavirus to Ebola to cyclosporiasis, it’s hard to escape the news about outbreaks of exotic viruses in people. How might these diseases impact or be transmitted by animals? In this episode, which airs July 21, Ken Henderson, PhD, DACLAM, an expert on keeping research mice and rats safe from outside threats, shares his insights into the most up-to-date research on biosecurity.

 
Show Notes 

Pathogen Binder | Charles River 

Research Animal Diagnostic Services | Charles River 

Research Models and Services | Charles River 

What happens when parents refuse to accept a one percent chance? In this episode of Sounds of Science, Piotr and Gosia Kosla share how their daughter Lena’s ultra‑rare diagnosis sparked a global scientific effort, advancing a potential treatment from discovery to an active preclinical toxicology study in just two years.

Show Notes 

• General Toxicology | Charles River 
• Preclinical GLP Toxicology Studies 
• Painting a Picture of Hope to Treat PACS2 | Podcast 
• PACS2 Research Foundation 

FOXG1 Research Foundation CEO Nasha Fitter returns to Sounds of Science with extraordinary updates: FDA Fast Track designation, IND clearance, and the first‑ever clinical trial for a FOX G1 gene therapy now within reach. In this episode, hear how science, community, and a mother’s determination are rewriting what’s possible. 

 
Show Notes 

• Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO Solutions | Charles River 
• Viral Vector Manufacturing \ Charles River 
• AAV Production for Rare Disease Therapies: From Challenge to Solution | Webcast 
• Rare Disease | Charles River 
• Rare Disease Research for Drug Development | Charles River 
• FOX G1: A Mom’s Mission | Podcast 

The 3Rs of animal research (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are truly a global effort. One of the experts leading this effort is veterinarian Adrian Smith, Secretary of the Norwegian organization Norecopa. Along with Executive Director Global Animal Welfare and Training for Charles River Liz Nunamaker, they share the creation and growth of Norway's National Consensus Platform and Centre for furthering the 3Rs, and how even researchers outside of Norway like Nunamaker benefit from its work.