Absolute Gene-ius

Precision oncology research increasingly depends on finding the right biomarker and choosing the right tool to measure it. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius , Dr. Javier Hernández Losa, leader of the Molecular Biology Laboratory at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, joins Lisa Crawford and Jordan Ruggieri to discuss the evolving world of biomarker research. Javier explores the growing range of...

In this Science Snapshot episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Lisa Crawford and Jordan Ruggieri revisit conversations with researchers working at the limits of molecular detection. Dr. Nikhil Ram Mohan explains how digital PCR revealed viral RNA signals that were difficult to detect by qPCR and how absolute quantification helped expose subtle differences. Dr. Clarence Lee discusses finding known biomarke...

Chickens cough, coronaviruses persist, and molecular methods can reveal more than meets the eye. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius , University of Calgary researcher Fathima Ishara Isham joins Lisa Crawford and Jordan Ruggieri to explore infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus that affects poultry health and can disrupt egg production. Ishara explains how IBV can move beyond the respir...

Choosing between qPCR and digital PCR isn't about finding a winner, it's about asking the right scientific question. In this Science Snapshot, Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford revisit insights from researchers including Corbin Schuster, Nikhil Ram Mohan, Brandi Kiel Reese, Pavla Brachova, Nehemiah Seth Alvarez, Raquel Muñoz, Rounak Feigelman, and Brian Bahder to explore how qPCR and dPCR work tog...

PCR gets amplified, quantified, partitioned, and multiplexed in this practical tour through three decades of molecular biology innovation. Dr. John Pfeifer, senior real-time PCR field application scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, joins Jordan and Lisa to explain how conventional PCR, qPCR, and digital PCR generate and interpret results differently. John describes real-time PCR as a versatile...

In this Science Snapshot, we explore copy number variation (CNV) and why accurately measuring gene copies is critical for modern research. Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford demonstrate how digital PCR has transformed DNA quantification using conversations with past Absolute Gene-ius guests including Dave Bauer, Dustin Rubinstein, Raquel Muñoz, Lee Ann Baxter-Lowe, Parker Wilson, Valeria Rangel, an...

Some science stories start with a textbook. Donna Paznar’s started with a tick. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Donna Paznar, head of Molecular Infection Diagnostics at the Medical University of Vienna, discusses her work studying Streptococcus pneumoniae and its impact across the Austrian population. She explains why this respiratory bacterium can be especially dangerous for infants and old...

Cancer research is moving fast, and molecular tools are helping scientists see more, measure more, and ask better questions. In this Science Snapshot episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford revisit memorable oncology-related clips from past conversations. Dr. Raquel Munoz explains how CAR-T cells are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, and how PCR-based methods c...

In this episode, Michael Stump and Matteo Franco from ProtaGene explore the growing importance of integration site analysis (ISA) in cell and gene therapy. As viral vectors like lentivirus and AAV become more widely used, understanding where and how they integrate into the genome is essential for assessing genotoxicity and long-term safety. The discussion dives into how sequencing reveals integrat...

PCR may be decades old, but it is still one of the most versatile tools in modern molecular biology. In this crossover episode, Absolute Gene-ius welcomes Steve Lewis, host of Speaking of Mol Bio and Director of Product Management at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Steve discusses why PCR remains so broadly relevant across research and applied science, from human identification and food testing to gene...

Dr. Robert Philibert joins the show to unpack the fascinating world of epigenetics, where environmental factors like smoking, alcohol, and lifestyle reshape how genes are expressed. He explains how methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin structure act as regulatory layers on top of DNA, influencing disease risk far more than previously thought. The conversation dives into how technologie...

Multiplexing is reshaping how scientists think about PCR experiments, turning single-target workflows into powerful, multi-dimensional analyses. In this Science Snapshot, we revisit standout moments from past episodes to explore how multiplexing is applied across research areas, from measuring interferon-related genes in lupus to analyzing complex microbial communities and detecting low-level dono...

In this episode, Fiona Connolly, former Platform Innovation and Automation Scientist at bit.bio, explains how deterministic programming replaces the traditional “pinball machine” model of stem cell differentiation with precise genetic instructions. By identifying the exact transcription factor combinations, the “cheat codes” that define specific cell fates, Fiona’s team engineers induced pluripote...

Science doesn’t just advance through breakthroughs, it advances through mistakes. This Science Snapshot episode embraces a universal truth of research: if you haven’t messed something up in the lab, you probably haven’t been there very long. From chemical reactions gone wrong to experiments derailed by one small oversight, these stories are as relatable as they are unforgettable.  In this curated...

Viruses are not always something to fear; they can also be tools to heal. This episode looks into this positive side of viral biology. Dr. Dan Mitchell, Senior Director of Analytical Development and Quality Control at Matica Biotechnology, joins the show to unpack the science and strategy behind viral vector manufacturing in a CDMO environment. He explains what CDMOs do, how they support cell and...

In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, the hosts dive into the evolving world of precision oncology, where detecting rare molecular signals can make all the difference. Dr. Kathie Sollweck brings deep expertise from her work in medical affairs and oncology to explain how modern molecular tools are reshaping cancer research. She breaks down liquid biopsy approaches, including cell-free DNA and circu...

PCR inhibitors are everywhere and they can definitely mess with your data. From muddy lake water to complex viral vector preparations, inhibition is a reality that can’t be ignored. In this inaugural Absolute Gene-ius: Science Snapshot, hosts Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford revisit standout moments from past seasons to explore how scientists across disciplines deal with PCR inhibition. Through c...

What do vineyards, airborne spores, and digital PCR have in common? Turns out – quite a lot. This episode kicks off Season 4 by going green with plant pathology and molecular diagnostics.  Lexi Heger, a PhD candidate in plant pathology and molecular plant sciences at Michigan State University, joins the show to discuss her work on grapevine diseases, particularly downy mildew caused by Plasmopara...

We’re back and better than ever. Season 4 of Absolute Gene-ius is officially here, and this teaser gives you a front-row seat to what’s coming. From scientific puns to sneak peeks of the upcoming guest lineup, co-hosts Jordan Ruggieri and new addition Lisa Crawford set the tone for another season of engaging, educational, and entertaining molecular biology content. This season, the show expands it...

HIV, superbugs, and standards—oh my! In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, we explore the frontier of infectious disease research with Dr. Jesús Mingorance, researcher at Hospital Universitario La Paz in Madrid. His research is translational and uses digital PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and more. Dr. Mingorance walks us through his application of ultra-sensitive PCR methods to track HIV-2 viral loads—pa...

Can you detect Alzheimer’s with a spit sample? That’s the question driving Arianna Arbona’s exciting research at Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Sevilla, Spain. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius , she shares how she’s isolating microvesicles from saliva and blood to identify early biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s—an effort that could one day lead to minimally invasive...

This episode of Absolute Gene-ius slithers into the surprising science of invasive species monitoring with  Dr. Brian Bahder . A childhood love of bugs led Brian to a dynamic career in entomology and plant pathology—and eventually to tracking large reptiles in the swamps of Florida. We dive deep into Brian’s work developing multiplex  digital PCR assays to detect DNA from snakes, caimans, and othe...

Ever thought about why medications work differently for different people? In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, we explore the exciting field of  pharmacogenomics with Wendy Wang, pharmacogenetic laboratory supervisor at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Wendy shares how genetics can influence drug metabolism, offering a glimpse into how  precision medicine can revolutionize healthcare by...

Scientific discovery happens in the lab—but it starts with curiosity and determination. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, we welcome Valeria Rangel, a PhD candidate at the University of California Irvine, who shares her research on  acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the innovative ways  digital PCR is helping uncover genetic patterns linked to cancer in Hispanic populations. Val’s work focuses...

In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Dr. C. Dustin Rubinstein takes us inside the world of advanced genome editing, where cutting-edge tools like  CRISPR and  digital PCR are helping shape the future of biomedical research. As the Director of the  Advanced Genome Editing Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Rubinstein shares how his lab develops genetically engineered  pig model...