Mendelspod Podcast

• Unlocking the Future of Forensic Genetics with Mirna Ghemrawi

  This week on Mendelspod, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting groundbreaking contributions from women in science. Our guest, Dr. Mirna Ghemrawi, is at the forefront of forensic genetics, where DNA analysis meets the pursuit of justice. As Associate Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Ghemrawi applies next-gen sequencing and AI to some of the most challenging questions in forensic biology.Originally from Lebanon, Ghemrawi’s path to forensic science began in the medical field before she earned a Fulbright scholarship to study in the U.S. and ultimately pursued a PhD in forensic genetics. “I always knew I had a passion for forensics,” she says. “There weren’t many opportunities back home, but I knew that any science-related field would help me get there.”One of the most exciting areas of her current research involves using genetic and epigenetic markers to predict what a suspect may look like—an approach that, when combined with forensic genetic genealogy, could revolutionize investigations. “The idea is that we can not only get human identification from DNA but also predict age, eye color, hair color, and even certain phenotypic traits,” she explains. “If this works, it could help narrow down family trees in genealogical investigations.”The conversation also touched on the evolving challenges in forensic science, particularly as DNA analysis becomes more sensitive. Questions around DNA transfer—whether genetic material was directly or indirectly placed at a crime scene—are increasingly shaping legal arguments. “We can now get a profile from an incredibly small sample,” Ghemrawi notes, “but that raises questions about how the DNA got there, and courts are having to consider these new complexities.”Ghemrawi is passionate about mentoring the next generation, particularly encouraging young women to step into forensic science. “The only way you know you can’t do something is by trying,” she advises. “Ask questions, be persistent, and don’t be afraid to push into new territory.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe

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• Public Science in Peril: Hank Greely of Stanford on Funding, Fishing, and the Fight for Knowledge

  In this urgent and unflinching conversation, Stanford law professor Hank Greely returns to Mendelspod to address the mounting threats of the Trump administration to public science funding and the institutions that regulate medicine. As the NIH faces existential challenges and the FDA comes under fire, Greely lays out a compelling case for why government-supported research remains essential—not just for innovation, but for maintaining a functional society.“Research is like fishing,” Greely explains. “You cast your net, and sometimes you catch something big, sometimes you don’t. But if you stop casting altogether, you’re guaranteed to catch nothing.” He argues that long-term investment in science is the only way to sustain real progress, even if individual studies don’t always yield immediate breakthroughs.Greely also draws a stark historical comparison, warning that the current climate resembles the Communist Cultural Revolution, “except this time the war on expertise and knowledge isn’t coming just from the top down—it’s being fed from every direction.” The consequences, he suggests, could be felt for generations.Yet, while calling for outspokenness, Greely also urges compassion for those in academia and government who feel they cannot safely speak out. “Some of the people who aren’t being as forthright as we’d like—it’s not personal cowardice,” he says. “They’re trying to protect their institutions, their labs, their students, their colleagues. And that’s something we need to understand, even as we push for change.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe

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• Breaking the ‘Undruggable’ Barrier with AI and Synthetic Biology: Eswar Iyer, CEO of Aikium

  For decades, drug developers have struggled with so-called "undruggable" proteins—those regions of the proteome that evade traditional small molecules and antibodies. But Aikium, led by Eswar Iyer, could be changing the game. In today’s show, Iyer, a prolific scientist with over 100 patents and a background in George Church’s lab, shares how his company is tackling one of the toughest challenges in therapeutics.At the heart of Aikium’s approach is Yotta-ML2, an AI-powered wet lab platform that searches the vast combinatorial space of proteins to create precise, bespoke binders for disease targets that have long been out of reach. “The combinatorial space for how many proteins can bind a region is very large,” Iyer explains. “Experiments are limited to 10⁹ to 10¹² possibilities, but the theoretical space exceeds 10¹⁵. We’re using AI to intelligently navigate this massive search problem and find what actually works in the body.”Iyer is clear-eyed about the biggest challenges ahead: “AI is just hype if it can’t deliver better therapies, faster,” he says. “The biggest barrier isn’t just designing binders—it’s making sure they work in human biology, avoiding immunogenicity, and accelerating the slow feedback cycle of drug development.”Looking to the future, Iyer envisions a major shift in the industry: “We’re living in an age of exponential technologies. Just as AI has transformed other fields, it’s going to compress the timeline and risk of therapeutic development. In five or six years, we’ll see a wave of AI-designed molecules entering the clinic.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe

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• "They're not cutting a branch. They're cutting the whole tree." Laura Hercher Defends DEI in Genomic Research and Medicine

  Today Theral talks with Laura Hercher, Director of Research for Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College, about the growing political assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in scientific research. With the NIH facing sweeping budget cuts and DEI programs cancelled, Hercher makes a compelling case for why diversity isn’t just a social or moral issue—but a scientific imperative."What you're cutting is cancer funding. What you're cutting is Alzheimer's research. What you're cutting is funding for sick kids," Hercher warns, pushing back against the rhetoric that frames these cuts as mere "overhead reductions."She breaks down how diversity strengthens both scientific databases and the research workforce, emphasizing that genetic studies are incomplete without diverse representation. She also addresses the political motivations behind these attacks, highlighting the broader pattern of anti-intellectualism and anti-science sentiment creeping into public policy.Hercher closes with a powerful statement about her own institution’s commitment to DEI:"We are not changing a damn thing. We think it's right, and we're sticking to it."Join us today and make your own voice heard if you’re concerned about the future of scientific research and equity in medicine.Editor’s Note: Today’s show is dedicated to our late Executive Producer, Ayanna Monteverdi. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mendelspod.com/subscribe

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• Early Detection for Lung Cancer with Susan Tousi, DELFI Diagnostics

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comLung cancer is the most deadly of all the cancers worldwide. Very few of those who should be— are getting screened. There is enormous medical need here, and early cancer detection through advanced liquid biopsy could be a tremendous part of the answer.Today, as part of our series on the future of genetic testing, we welcome Susan Tousi, CEO of Delfi Diagnostics, a company pioneering next-generation liquid biopsy technology for early cancer detection. Tousi came to the post a year ago formerly serving as Illumina’s Chief Commercial Officer. Delfi has made significant strides in developing affordable, high-sensitivity blood-based tests focusing on lung cancer.Tousi discusses the company’s groundbreaking approach, which leverages whole-genome sequencing and machine learning to detect cancer at its earliest stages."We believe that for early detection to make a difference and make cancer less deadly, you have to be catching it at stage one or stage two," she emphasizes.By using a low-pass sequencing method, Delfi is able to keep costs low while maximizing sensitivity, making widespread screening more accessible. The conversation highlights the dire need for better lung cancer screening methods, given that fewer than 6% of eligible individuals undergo annual screening with low-dose CT scans."Lung cancer alone takes more lives annually than colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer combined," Tousi notes.Delfi aims to change this with its simple blood test, already in commercial use and being adopted by major healthcare systems such as OSF HealthCare and Allegheny Health Network.Beyond lung cancer, Tousi also shares insights into Delfi’s broader vision, including its work on liver and ovarian cancer detection, as well as its potential in tumor monitoring."Every day that goes by without better screening means lives lost that we could have saved,” she states.

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