Discovery Matters

On this episode of Discovery Matters, Conor speaks with Samuel King, a Stanford PhD researcher working at the intersection of AI and biology. Samuel explains how biological language models can be trained on DNA to design entire viral genomes — including bacteriophages that can kill drug‑resistant bacteria. The conversation explores how AI is accelerating biological discovery, why viruses can be po...

What if curing disease came down to better directions? This week on Discovery Matters, we’re talking viral vectors, AI, and why delivery is the unsung hero of gene therapy. Dr. Lijia Ma joins us to explain how scientists are engineering biological “postmen” to find new destinations beyond the liver — including the brain — and why timing matters just as much as location. With insights from Cytiva’s...

In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore the science, stigma, and innovation behind one of medicine’s most misunderstood hormones. We are joined by Shalin Shah, CEO of Marius Pharmaceuticals, to unpack why testosterone plays a foundational role in health for both men and women, how flawed studies and outdated perceptions shaped public opinion, and what it really takes to bring evidence‑bas...

Oligonucleotides are moving beyond rare diseases—but scaling them is anything but simple. As therapies target larger patient populations, new synthesis technologies must stand up to real‑world manufacturing constraints, regulatory scrutiny, cost pressures and sustainability demands. In this episode of Discovery Matters, industry experts explore what it really takes to make oligos at scale. From th...

Global health has hit a low tide, but the story doesn’t end there. In this episode, we revisit Dr. Jerome Kim of the International Vaccine Institute to explore funding cuts, shifting power, and how regions like Africa and Europe are stepping up to reshape vaccine security and pandemic preparedness.

What does real innovation in life sciences actually look like? In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore innovation from both a scientific and deeply human perspective. Guests Helena Strigård, CEO of Ventures Accelerated, and Lisa Lindström, Business Reinvention Leader at EY, share how AI, precision partnering, empathy, and behavioural insight are reshaping life sciences — and why true inno...

In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore both sides of the gene‑editing coin: the tools that cut DNA and the technologies that safely deliver them where they need to go. First, we’re joined by Dr. Stephan Reisenberg from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, who takes us inside the world of synthetic guide RNAs. Then, we zoom out to delivery and analytics with...

In this episode, we talk with Prof. Tej Pal Singh, a leading figure in structural biology whose work has revealed the shapes and functions of hundreds of important proteins. He shares how these discoveries have helped us better understand immunity, inflammation, and disease—and how they’re guiding new approaches to designing medicines. From breakthrough crystal structures to innovative peptide wor...

Kenya has eliminated human African trypanosomiasis —sleeping sickness — as a public health problem. Dr. Gerardo Priotto from the World Health Organization joins us to explain how Kenya met WHO’s rigorous criteria, the science behind the validation, and the partnerships that made this milestone possible. We unpack the challenges of T.b. rhodesiense, the role of surveillance and community action, an...

From the mysteries of space to the secrets of the microbiome, from the science of pain to extraordinary stories of resilience and discovery — 2025 was a year to remember. Join Conor, Dodi and the team as they reflect on the highlights on Discovery Matters.

Brain tumours are among the most complex and challenging conditions in modern medicine. In this episode, we explore what brain tumours are, how they develop, and most importantly, the patient experience.

Discover the story of Dr. Rex Spendlove, the humble scientist behind a breakthrough in cell culture media. From his early days tackling unreliable fetal bovine serum to founding HyClone Laboratories, Dr. Spendlove’s innovations set new standards for scientific research and helped shape modern biotechnology. Join us as we explore how curiosity, collaboration, and a drive to help others can change t...

What happens when mRNA meets lipid nanoparticles? Sparks fly—and science wins. This dynamic duo is behind breakthroughs from game-changing vaccines to strategies for silencing stubborn viruses. Join Dodi and Conor as they sit down with Professor Sharon Lewin, a global leader in HIV research, to explore how this partnership could transform treatment and rewrite the future of medicine. Smart science...

This episode is all about the purisuit to understand and treat metastatic breast cancer. Dr. Martine Piccart and Dr. Lisa Carey delve into the complexities of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), highlighting why it remains one of the most challenging forms of the disease to treat.

We’re fascinated by the microbiome — and for good reason. But how do we protect this invisible ecosystem that plays such a vital role in our health? From engineering live, programmable therapeutics that disarm dangerous gut pathogens to creating a global “doomsday vault” to safeguard the diversity of human gut microbes, we dive deep into the cutting-edge science shaping the future of microbiome re...

In this episode, we explore zoonotic diseases and their growing impact on global health. Professor Clare Bryant, sheds light on strategies to vaccinate animals to prevent pathogen transmission into humans. We also delve into the historical context of the disease, the role of vaccines, and the importance of coordinated public health. Whether you're a public health professional or simply curious abo...

Pain. It comes in many forms: physical and emotional. But do we really understand it? This episode will attempt to answer fundamental questions about what pain is, how it is experienced, and why it is such a critical aspect of human existence. We speak with Prof Jeff Mogil to discuss sex differences in pain. His work has been influential in promoting the inclusion of both sexes in pain research, e...

Today, we're diving into a topic that's not just reshaping the world of vaccines—it's flipping it on its head. We're exploring the cutting-edge realm of inverse vaccines with Prof Lawrence Steinman and how they're revolutionizing the approach to treating autoimmune diseases. Plus, we'll chat with CancerVax, who are using the immune system in a radically different way, aiming to make it attack canc...

Ever wonder what happens to your body when you leave Earth behind? In this gravity-defying episode, we launch into the weird, wild world of human biology in space. From the first C. elegans in space to the NASA Twins Study to future deep space missions, we have a lot to discuss. Strap in as we float through the science of space adaptation. Spoiler: space may teach us about our Earth-bound health....

What's new with insulin? Jeppe Sturis and his team at Novo Nordisk have a new hypothesis. They challenge the long-held belief that insulin resistance comes from faulty tissues, suggesting instead that the real culprit is insulin breaking down before it even reaches its target. This fresh perspective could reshape how we fight diabetes. We will also hear from Diamyd Medical’s advancing research on...

Join us for a fascinating deep dive into how generative AI is revolutionizing healthcare and life sciences! We unveil groundbreaking advancements in drug discovery, clinical trials, and diagnostics—showcasing AI’s growing role in shaping the future of medicine. With expert insights from Shweta Maniar (Google Cloud) and Martin Stumpe (Danaher), we’ll explore how AI accelerates innovation through da...

Join us for a fascinating deep dive into how generative AI is revolutionizing healthcare and life sciences! We unveil groundbreaking advancements in drug discovery, clinical trials, and diagnostics—showcasing AI’s growing role in shaping the future of medicine. With expert insights from Shweta Maniar (Google Cloud) and Martin Stumpe (Danaher), we’ll explore how AI accelerates innovation through da...

In this special celebratory milestone episode, we mark our 100th episode with a vibrant recap of year. Get ready to dive into fascinating conversations, from the squirrely intelligence of cephalopods and their chameleon-like abilities to cutting-edge antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) revolutionizing cancer treatment, to an enlightening chat with Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton on the crucial pat...

Insulin's discovery in 1921 transformed diabetes from a certain death sentence to a manageable chronic condition, revolutionizing modern medicine. In this episode of Discovery Matters, we look back to our episode on a fascinating journey through 100 years of insulin advancements and its profound impact on diabetes treatment. Listen in to appreciate 100 years of ground-breaking science and anticipa...

In this episode of Discovery Matters we delve into groundbreaking advancements in Parkinson’s disease research. Dodi and Conor transport us to the frontier of medical innovation, exploring the latest discoveries and techniques that hold promise for early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Show notes •Decet, Marianna et al. ‘ A candidate loss-of-function variant in SGIP1 causes synapti...