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 Laboratories, Mark White, we take a look at the different expression systems used for their production and compare their advantages, before looking at some of the challenges involved in the production rAAVs, such as host-cell contamination.

Discover the tools that can help minimize host-cell contamination and differentiate between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive contaminant DNA and find out about some of the most exciting developments in rAAV technologies. 

• The role of rAAVs in gene therapies: 00:40-02:15
• The production of rAAVs and gene therapies: 02:15-03:30
• Why are HEK cells so popular for cell therapy production? 03:30-05:45
• HEK vs SF9 Insect cell expression systems: 05:45-06:45
• Challenges in cell therapy expression systems: 06:45-08:05
• Host DNA contamination: 08:05-10:30
• The risks of host DNA contamination: 10:30-12:45
• Key techniques to minimize host DNA contamination: 12:45-14:40
• The advantages of ddPCR in gene therapy production: 14:40-17:50
• Distinguishing between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive host cell DNA: 17:50-19:10
• The most exciting developments in rAAV technology: 19:10-20:20
• What is one thing you would ask for to improve rAAV and gene therapy development 20:20-26:38

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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 cancer remains a critical issue.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death for people with a cervix living in poverty in low-resource regions and on the continent of Africa, it is estimated that in 2020 as many people with a cervix died of cervical cancer as COVID-19.

In this episode of Talking techniques, supported by Oxford Nanopore, Senior Investigator Michael Dean and Post-baccalaureate Fellow Nicole Rossi, from the NIH’s National Cancer Institute (MD, USA), discuss their research into the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Expounding on the points mentioned above, they reveal the tremendous insights into cancer and immunology still to be gained, document the key tools used in their studies and explain how their work can be translated into more effective immunotherapies and treatments for cervical cancer.

• Introduction: 00:00-01:40
• How big an issue does HPV present to the world? 01:40-03:30
• HPV’s association with cancer: 03:30-05:15
• Why does HPV target DNA repair mechanisms? 05:15-06:00
• Key goals of research into HPV: 06:00-07:15
• Challenges of HPV research: 07:15- 08:20
• Solutions available to deal with these challenges: 08:20-09:30
• The most exciting discoveries in HPV using long-read sequencing: 09:30-11:00
• HPV16- the most oncogenic variant: 11:00-11:40
• Translating research into clinical results for HPV: 11:40-12:45
• How effective is the current HPV vaccine? 12:45-13:30
• What would you ask for to improve research into HPV and cancer? 13:30-14:30
• How big an issue is vaccine rejection? 14:30-15:40
• Final thoughts: 15:40-17:00

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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, a board member at AAIH and one of the authors of this whitepaper, to find out more about what the lifecycle of AI is, the importance of having guidelines when applying AI or ML in healthcare and what the future holds for this type of computer modeling.

Contents:

• Intro: 00:00 - 00:45
• What are some of the ways that AI is used in healthcare? 00:45 - 5:04
• What are the current limitations of using AI in healthcare settings? 5:04 - 9:28
• The lifecycle of an AI system: 9:28 - 14:04
• How did you develop these guidelines for AI in healthcare? 14:04 - 17:28
• Summary of the guidelines from the white paper: 17:28 - 19:09
• Do you think some of these guidelines could be applicable to AI outside of healthcare? 19:09 - 19:53
• Why is it important to have guidelines like these for AI and machine learning in healthcare? 19:53 - 22:11
• Why did you decide to focus on COVID-19 case studies? 22:11 - 23:05
• How do you think the pandemic has changed the way AI is used in healthcare? 23:05 - 26:26
• What's next for AI? 26:26 - 30:03

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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, in diagnostics and basic disease research.

However, challenges remain in the detection and analysis of these nucleic acid fragments, in part due to their low abundance and fragile nature. In this episode, Ayla Maunighan-Peter, Epigenetics Product Specialist at Zymo research (CA, USA), details the utility of these molecules, the challenges associated with their development and implementation of liquid biopsies and their use in both basic research and diagnostic spaces.

For an insight into how cfNAs can be used to identify novel drug targets, impact diagnostics development and be used to help soothe the organ shortage crisis, listen today!

Contents:

• Intro: 00:00-00:40
• What are cfNAs? 1:50-02:35
• The role of cfNAs in Liquid biopsy: 02:35-04:25
• Markers analyzed in cfNAs: 04:25-06:10
• Epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 06:05-07:55
• Techniques for epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 08:00-08:55
• Introducing fragmentomics: 08:55-11:05
• Challenges in the development of liquid biopsy: 11:05-14:40
• How is the field trying to adapt to these challenges? 14:40-16:10
• Applications of cfNAs in basic research: 16:10-17:30
• The most exciting findings concerning the role of cfNAs in disease: 17:30-20:05
• One thing to improve our understanding and use of cfNAs: 20:05-21:10
• Conclusions: 21:15-22:15 

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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, in diagnostics and basic disease research.

However, challenges remain in the detection and analysis of these nucleic acid fragments, in part due to their low abundance and fragile nature. In this episode, Ayla Maunighan-Peter, Epigenetics Product Specialist at Zymo research (CA, USA), details the utility of these molecules, the challenges associated with their development and implementation of liquid biopsies and their use in both basic research and diagnostic spaces.

For an insight into how cfNAs can be used to identify novel drug targets, impact diagnostics development and be used to help soothe the organ shortage crisis, listen today!

Contents:

• Intro: 00:00-00:40
• What are cfNAs? 1:50-02:35
• The role of cfNAs in Liquid biopsy: 02:35-04:25
• Markers analyzed in cfNAs: 04:25-06:10
• Epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 06:05-07:55
• Techniques for epigenetic analysis of cfNAs: 08:00-08:55
• Introducing fragmentomics: 08:55-11:05
• Challenges in the development of liquid biopsy: 11:05-14:40
• How is the field trying to adapt to these challenges? 14:40-16:10
• Applications of cfNAs in basic research: 16:10-17:30
• The most exciting findings concerning the role of cfNAs in disease: 17:30-20:05
• One thing to improve our understanding and use of cfNAs: 20:05-21:10
• Conclusions: 21:15-22:15 

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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 monoclonal antibodies have been used through the COVID-19 pandemic and how we may overcome challenges in production, upscaling and more in this episode of Talking Techniques. 

• Introduction 00:00-01:26
• What are recombinant proteins and what are they used for? 01:26 – 02:42
• How were they first developed? 02:42 – 03:50
• Since initial development has recombinant antibody development progressed today? 03:50 – 05:57
• What are the advantages of utilizing the more traditional mouse monoclonal antibodies? 05:57 – 07:11
• Are recombinant antibodies used in more specialist applications and are they more likely to be used in therapeutics? 07:11 – 09:47
• How have AI systems like AlphaFold impacted the development of recombinant antibodies? 09:47 – 12:07
• How has antibody production changed and what’s next? 12:07 – End 

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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 how our behaviors and environment, such as diet, exercise and air quality, can impact our epigenetics and the impact that the epigenetic clock has played in the development of new therapeutics.

Find out how you can reverse your biological age, the implications of aging populations the latest developments in epigenetic research and more in this episode of Talking Techniques. 

• Introduction: 00:00-02:15
• The issue with population aging: 02:15-03:30
• Introducing epigenetics:  03:30-04:20
• The link between epigenetics and aging: 04:20-05:50
• The impact of exercise on epigenetics: 05:50-06:40
• The epigenetic clock: 06:40-08:00
• What can the epigenetic clock tell you about someone’s health: 08:00-10:05
• Can you reverse the epigenetic clock? 10:05-12:00
• The latest experiments in epigenetics and aging research: 12:00-14:10
• Finetuning exercise using the epigenetic clock: 14:10-15:30
• Challenges in epigenetics and aging research: 15:30-17:00
• Key technologies in epigenetics and aging research: 17:00-18:05
• Where are the main developments coming from? 18:05-19:30
• Aging and lobsters: 19:30-20:45
• How will the field develop in the next 5 years? 20:45-22:00
• What would you ask for to improve your understanding of the epigenetic clock? 22:00-23:00
• The most exciting aspects of aging intervention: 23:00-24:00

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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 Pupe, Postdoctoral Researcher at German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, takes me through this field, revealing – amongst other fascinating insights – the neuroscience studies that can now be conducted on live mice to monitor their neurological cell expression profiles as they perform specific behaviors. We also discuss the potential immortality complexes that could be driving a large amount of investment into the field and highlight some of the challenges to watch out for when conducting spatial biology studies.

Introduction 00:00-02:20

The concept of spatial biology 02:20-03:30

The key techniques involved in spatial biology: 03:30-05:10

What does the combination of transcriptomics and proteomic profiling enable you to determine: 05.10-06:00

Unique insights from spatial biology: 06:10-07:20

Spatial biology in the characterization of cells from the medial septal: 07:20-8:20

First impressions of working with spatial biology: 8:10-09:20

How many omic datasets you can generate from one tissue sample? 09:20-10:45

The impact of spatial biology in diagnostics: 10:45-11:50

Exciting breakthroughs in neuroscience from spatial biology: 11:50-14:00

Predicting neuronal activity with spatial data: 14:00-15:55

Developments in microscopy pairing with spatial biology: 15:55-18:05

The challenges of working with a new technique: 18:05-19:45

The role of automation in resolving with vast data sets 19:45-21:45

Why Facebook and Google are looking assisting with spatial biology: 21:45-24:15

What would you ask for to take spatial transcriptomics to the next level? 24:15-25:40

Challenges of reproducibility in an emerging field: 25:40-29:05

Final comments: 29:05-30:25

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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 will discuss all things diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, meeting with different guests each episode from across the spectrum of fields and people in the research community. Each episode will keep science at its core, exploring each guest's research and finding out how they encourage open and productive environments in their working communities.

In episode one, dive into the discussion around mentoring practices, LatinX representation in STEM and the role that scientific societies, such as the American Society of Cell Biology, can play in the development of their members with our first guest, Christina Termini Assistant Professor at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research center (CA, USA).

Introduction: 00:00-02:40

Christina's Research in hematopoietic stem cells and cancer treatments. 02:40-05:45

Molecular regulators of the hematopoietic system: 05:45-06:20

Building mentoring networks and addressing microaggressions: 06:20-09:00

Isolation in academic spaces and countermeasures: 09:00-10:35

The community of scholars and the 1000 Black scientists lists: 10:35-17:00

What are you drinking? 17:00-17:40

Mental health in mentoring: 17:40- 20:45

The work of the American Society of Cell Biology developing mentors: 20:45-23:00

Equalling opportunities with virtual and non-traditional faculty interviews: 23:00-26:50

Building the 100 Latinx list: 26:50-29:30

Contact Tina: 29:30-31:55

Coming up on STEM Tea: 32:10-34:54

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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 combination of techniques for different experimental targets. Rachel also provides some tips for best practice and some pitfalls to avoid regarding DNA damage and highlights the importance of good quality antibodies in cell proliferation assays.

Don’t miss out on the most exciting applications of cell proliferation today, and find out what still needs to be improved for cell proliferation assays to continue driving drug discovery forward; all in the first episode of Season 3 of Talking Techniques!

• Intro: 00:00-00:34
• Why measure cell proliferation in drug discovery? 00:34-2:20
• Techniques involved in the detection of cell proliferation: 02:20-04:20
• The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques: 04:20-06:50
• Selecting the most appropriate technique: 06:50-09:30
• How do you account for DNA damage in these assays? 09:30-11:00
• The best combination of techniques for drug screening studies: 11:00-12:00
• The biggest developments in technologies for cell proliferation monitoring: 12:00-14:15
• Exciting findings of cell proliferation studies in cancer research: 14:15-15:35
• What element of cell proliferation detection and monitoring would you choose to improve? 15:35-17:40
• Closing remarks: 17:40-19:10

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