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 c…

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…

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 …

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 abo…

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 trea…

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 int…

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 o…

Computational approaches have revolutionized how we interpret data. With the advent of genomic sequencing, scientists can derive significant conclusions from sequence data. For example, through transcriptomics – the study of genes and their expression in different cells – researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries in fields like developmental…

Join Danielle Mandikian and Maria Wilson as they kick off season five of Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar. Hear about their recent lab adventures and enjoy a sneak preview of exciting topics for our new season. From demystifying the impact of AI and machine learning in drug development to exploring diverse modalities for treating diseases, we've got …

When we consider how a vaccine works, we typically think about vaccines that prevent infectious disease like flu or measles. But another type, known as therapeutic vaccines, may be able to treat diseases even after they’ve taken hold in the body – including cancer and viral infections. Similar to preventative vaccines, these therapeutic cancer vacc…

Because disease outcomes and responses to treatment can vary across populations, clinical research must include patients who are racially, ethnically and gender representative of those who experience health conditions. Scientists are pioneering new ways of achieving inclusive and diverse clinical trials to generate clear results and reveal insights…

Achieving the first complete sequence of a human genome via the Human Genome Project represents an incredible feat – but it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unlocking the power of genomics for drug discovery and development. As the scientific community builds on our understanding of genomics, one of the most critical questions becomes…

Bacteria – and their constant ability to rapidly evolve and adapt – represent a scientific challenge that’s equal parts fascinating and disconcerting. The incredible innovations of the past century have not only prevented and treated infections that would otherwise be lethal, but also helped safeguard patients through critical surgeries and other t…

Understanding what happens in the brain is notoriously difficult, but scientists have made progress in the past few decades. For Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have expanded their knowledge of where and when certain proteins, cells and biologic processes can contribute to memory loss and the progression of the disease. Co-host Maria Wilson speaks …

Taking a deep breath can seem like a simple process; however, for millions of people with asthma, inflammation of the airways could make it difficult to breathe. While current treatments help manage symptoms, scientists are working to develop new therapies that target the underlying causes of the condition. Co-host Maria Wilson speaks to Jane Kenny…

Our understanding of what causes multiple sclerosis (MS) has transformed over the last few decades. While discoveries of the cell types involved in MS progression — both immune and brain — have led to major advancements for patients, there is still much to learn. Co-host Danielle Mandikian speaks to Ann Herman, Senior Director and Senior Principal …

Two Scientists Walk Into A Bar is back for a fourth season with new hosts, Maria Wilson and Danielle Mandikian! Get to know the new hosts and preview this season. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!Read the full text transcript at https://www.gene.com/stories/meet-the-hosts-of-season-four?topic=two-scientists-walk-into-a-bar…

Cells are the basic unit of life, with a remarkable ability to sense their environment, process information and adapt accordingly. With 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, there remains plenty for scientists to discover about how this symphony of cells is organized and works together. In this special episode, producer Wellington Bowler chats wit…

The biological mysteries of age-related diseases have intrigued scientists for decades. In recent years, our expansive knowledge of genetics, thanks to the humble fruit fly, has opened our eyes to the mechanisms underlying these conditions. Now scientists are hoping to apply this knowledge to use the body’s own biological systems to delay the onset…

In Season 1, we talked about using biomarkers and big data to match patients with the best treatment for their disease. In this episode, Jane sits down with David Shames, Senior Director of Cancer Immunotherapy Biomarkers and Staff Scientist in Oncology Biomarker Development, and Mark Lee, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Personalized Healt…

Our eyes are our windows to the world, but what happens when those windows start to fade or disappear? To understand how the eye works, scientists are combining developments in imaging and genetics to see into the eye and better understand why a disease occurs or whether a treatment is working. Hear from our host Jane Grogan and Menno van Lookeren …

It’s easy to think of cancer as an invader to the body. But in reality, it’s simply the result of a few proofreading errors in DNA replication that occur over time when cells divide. In Episode 3, Jane Grogan chats with Fred de Sauvage, Vice President and Staff Scientist, Molecular Oncology, about how just a handful of mutations can make normal cel…

Last episode, Jane and colleagues unraveled the intricacies of the human microbiome. This week, Jane chats with Mary Keir, Senior Scientist, Biomarker Discovery OMNI, to learn what happens during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), what causes it, and how targeting dysfunction in our immune system, the gut epithelial barrier and our microbiome could …

Our bodies are full of bacteria - pounds of them actually. We’re kicking off Season 3 with a closer look at the human microbiome and what happens when the synergistic relationship between our cells and our bacteria goes awry. Jane Grogan talks about the latest discoveries in microbiome research with Allyson Byrd, Associate Scientist, Cancer Immunol…

Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar is back for a third season with host Jane Grogan chatting with scientists who are leading the charge to understand complex diseases. This season will tackle a range of new topics, including a deep dive into the human microbiome, the latest in multiple sclerosis, asthma and aging, and how Big Data is redefining persona…