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.

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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