Mendelspod Podcast

• Synthetic Biology Ready for Its ChatGPT Moment: A Preview of SynBioBeta 2025 with John Cumbers

  John Cumbers, founder of SynBioBeta, joins Theral for our annual look ahead at the field of synthetic biology and the upcoming SynBioBeta 2025 conference, happening May 6–9 in San Jose. It's obviously a big year for AI, and synthetic biology is no exception. As John puts it, “Biology and AI coming together represents a huge opportunity for us to be able to understand biology and then ultimately engineer biology.” This year’s conference features a strong emphasis on AI's role in scaling and accelerating biological engineering, from foundational research to applied biotechnology.While synthetic biology is full of exciting opportunities in this new age of AI, the field is not without its macro-economic challenges. The current political climate has many wondering if we have failed in our science communication. Cumbers says synthetic biology has yet to experience its "ChatGPT moment" — a breakthrough that not only advances the science but brings it into public awareness, making it as familiar and accessible as AI has suddenly become. When will biology become democratized, when will more people participate directly in shaping it, or even just understand it? That question lingers at the heart of this year’s meeting.We also discuss themes from the conference program, including the focus on longevity, organ replacement, non-canonical amino acids, and the tight coupling between biology and computation emerging across the field.As always, John brings insight into a field that, for all its progress, still feels like the early days — we’re just seeing the first bands on the gel.* Mendelspod listeners receive 10% off SynBioBeta registration. Use the code Mendelspod when registering. 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

  --------  

  37:36
• Beyond the Parts List: Chris Mason and Simon Fredriksson on Mapping the Immune System in Space and Cancer with Cell Surface Proteomics

  Today Theral is joined by returning guests Chris Mason of Weill Cornell Medicine and Simon Fredriksson, CEO of Pixelgen Technologies, for a deep dive into the emerging field of cell surface proteomics and its power to illuminate both space biology and cancer research.Chris Mason shares new insights from his work on the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), the largest collection of astronaut health data to date. His latest findings confirm that space is more than a hostile environment—it’s a revealing one. Space is a kind of alternate reality that lets us test fundamental questions about biology and human health. Mason says changes in telomere length, immune system behavior, and skin inflammation during spaceflight are offering a new window into how the body responds to stress—whether in orbit or in disease states like cancer on Earth.Enter Pixelgen’s breakthrough technology, the proximity network assay, which allows researchers to map how proteins are organized on the surface of immune cells with nanoscale precision. As Fredriksson explains, “Cells don't operate only by parts lists, but by how they're organized to do all their functions.” Their approach enables the first large-scale spatial mapping of protein-protein interactions in three dimensions using DNA sequencing—unlocking insights not possible through traditional single-cell or bulk assays.In a collaborative effort, Mason’s lab and Pixelgen are applying this technology to study T-cell dynamics during spaceflight and in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The results are striking: specific protein markers cluster together only during spaceflight and only at relapse in leukemia, offering clean, quantifiable signatures with clinical potential.As Mason puts it, “This is a new modality of data—it forces you to ask, ‘Well, what does this mean?’ And you’re like, ‘Well, we’ve never seen it before.’ So we’re figuring it out.” Whether predicting relapse in cancer or designing better drugs for space and Earth, cell surface proteomics is opening a new frontier in biomedical science. 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

  --------  

  24:01
• DNA Is Still Where It's At: Christian Henry, CEO of PacBio, on Watershed Year in 2024

  In our last episode, we explored the growing shift from genomics to multi-omics. But for Pacific Biosciences CEO Christian Henry, the foundation of discovery remains clear: “DNA is still where it’s at.” PacBio is doubling down on long-read sequencing, committed to delivering on its promise of accuracy and completeness.2024 marks a “watershed year” for PacBio, with the launch of the Vega system—a benchtop long-read sequencer at an unprecedented $169,000 price point—alongside major advancements in automation, bioinformatics, and sample prep. According to Henry, this is the first time in PacBio’s history that they have “the full product,” allowing researchers to access long-read sequencing more easily than ever before. The response has been overwhelming, with demand outpacing supply and 70% of Vega inquiries coming from new customers.But the conversation wasn’t just about technology. Henry voiced deep concerns over the current political and funding landscape, particularly regarding NIH uncertainty. He strongly defended the past 50 years of biological progress, warning: “It would be a shame to undo that.” Despite economic pressures, he remains optimistic about the future of genomics, noting how long reads are not only competing with short reads on cost but unlocking new areas of discovery—from the dark regions of the genome to phased haplotypes and epigenetics.Henry is always a great discussion partner. Join in this interview about the evolving sequencing market, PacBio’s competitive strategy, and what’s at stake for the future of genomics. 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

  --------  

  38:51
• A New Sequencing Technology Has Entered the World: Keith Robison Reviews AGBT and New Tech in our Annual Sequencing--er, Multi-Omics Show

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mendelspod.comIt’s time for our annual deep dive into sequencing—no, wait—multi-omics! Back on the show is our resident sequencing guru, Keith Robison, scientist at Ginkgo Bioworks and author of the OmicsOmics blog. Keith is our all time return champion, and as always, he brings technical experience alongside the storytelling instincts of a seasoned journalist.Keith …

  --------  

  8:02
• 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

  --------  

  21:29

Fler podcasts i Vetenskap

Trendiga poddar i Vetenskap

Om Mendelspod Podcast

Mendelspod Podcast: Poddsändningar i Familj