Absolute Gene-ius

Science happens, and so do mistakes

Wed, 1 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

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 “best of” revisit, Absolute Gene-ius brings together candid lab-fail moments shared by past guests across multiple seasons. You’ll hear stories involving exothermic sodium hydroxide reactions, PCR screening disasters caused by a simple reagent mix-up, forgotten spike-ins during RNA-seq prep, accidental sequencing of human DNA instead of plant viruses, and even being locked inside a cold room on the first week in a new lab. Along the way, the episode highlights the science behind each mistake and the importance of lab safety while reinforcing an important message for scientists at every stage: failure is part of the process, and every mistake becomes a lesson worth remembering.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the science we explore. Discover the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems powering real-world research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.

Almost a virus – how AAV powers modern gene therapy

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Dan Mitchell, Lisa Crawford, Jordan Ruggieri) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

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 gene therapy programs at every stage, and why AAV has become such a powerful delivery vehicle. Dan dives deep into analytical development, describing how technologies like qPCR and digital PCR are used to quantify viral genomes, assess empty-to-full ratios, detect residual host cell DNA, and identify rare recombination events. He also discusses how sequencing, infectivity assays, and orthogonal analytics come together to ensure safety, potency, and regulatory readiness.

In Lisa’s Career Corner, Dan traces his path from marine biology curiosity to high-containment virology labs, pressure suits included. He encourages young scientists to get into the lab early, embrace failure as learning, stay curious and find the patience it takes to succeed in science.

How sequencing and PCR work together in oncology research

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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 circulating tumor cells, and explains why sensitivity and pre-analytics are critical when working with low-abundance targets. Kathie also clarifies how sequencing acts as a wide-angle discovery tool, while digital PCR serves as a laser-focused method for ultra-sensitive monitoring of known mutations, therapy resistance, and minimal residual disease (MRD). Together, these technologies enable more personalized, precise, and less invasive cancer researh strategies.

The episode wraps with a fun and refreshingly honest Career Corner, where Kathie shares her non-linear journey from an aspiring actress to botanist to oncology expert. Her advice? Don’t fear sales roles, stay open to unexpected opportunities, and let curiosity guide your career because you never know where it might take you.

When PCR gets dirty - tackling PCR inhibitors

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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 clips from experts working in wastewater surveillance, environmental microbiology, and gene therapy manufacturing, the episode highlights why inhibitors distort qPCR results and how sample preparation alone doesn’t always solve the problem. Guests including Ray Ketchum, Sarah Philo, Patrick Hanington, Dave Bauer, Kimberly Gomez, and Min Jin Kim explain both the biological sources of inhibition and the technical reasons digital PCR is more resilient. Together, these perspectives paint a clear picture of why dPCR is becoming the method of choice when overcoming inhibitors is required.

Tracking grape pathogens from air to vine

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Lexi Heger, Jordan Ruggieri, Lisa Crawford) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 17:45:55 +0000

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 viticola. Lexi explains how she developed qPCR assays to differentiate cryptic pathogen clades, redesigned multiplex assays to track multiple grape pathogens simultaneously, and explored how digital PCR can add value when sensitivity really matters, like when detecting rare alleles linked to fungicide resistance. The conversation dives into real-world challenges like sampling air, plant, and soil environments, managing PCR inhibitors, and translating academic research into actionable tools for growers. Together, Jordan, Lisa, and Lexi highlight why qPCR and dPCR aren’t competing technologies, but complementary tools that support smarter disease management in agriculture.

In Career Corner, Lexi reflects on her lifelong love of plants, the joy of gardening, and the mentors who helped cultivate her scientific curiosity. From killing plants “to save them,” to embracing plant puns and favorite pathogens, this segment is a reminder that great science often grows from genuine passion, and a little dirt under your fingernails.

Season 4 – new voices, new discoveries

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Lisa Crawford, Jordan Ruggieri) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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 its scope beyond digital PCR to include real-time PCR and other tools that are working together to move research forward in fields like oncology, agriculture, behavioral psychiatry, and more. Lisa brings a non-scientist’s view to the show along with a deep passion for translating complex science into compelling stories. Whether it’s microvesicles, stem cells, or high-containment biosafety labs, the upcoming episodes promise to be both technically informative and very human.

And in classic Absolute Gene-ius fashion, we keep it fun. From how guests got into science, to what thy love most about it, and lab fail stories, the Career Corner returns with fresh energy and laughs. Expect bad puns, big discoveries, and the beautiful chaos of real-world research.

Digital PCR and the fight against HIV-2 and superbugs

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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—particularly in challenging cases where standard assays fall short. He shares how digital PCR enabled detection in samples where conventional tests failed, and how it's becoming essential for assay calibration and microbial quantification. He also dives into the endemic challenges of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitals, revealing the clinical and epidemiological importance of quantifying pathogen load within the microbiome.

In the career corner, Dr. Mingorance recounts his unconventional journey—from humanities student to biologist inspired by a single sentence about DNA. With humor and honesty, he reflects on the patience needed in science, the value of good questions, and the importance of mentoring new scientists. “Biology is beautiful,” he reminds us. We agree.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Biomarkers in motion ― detecting Alzheimer's through saliva

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 diagnostic tools.

Arianna describes the scientific and technical hurdles she’s overcoming, from low vesicle concentrations to validating the brain-specific origin of those vesicles. She also reflects on her previous lupus research, where digital PCR enabled detection of faint mRNA signatures that qPCR missed—making it an essential tool for rare target quantification. Her future plans include integrating immuno-PCR and multiplex assays for more sensitive and multi-marker detection in Alzheimer’s and beyond.

In the career corner, Arianna recounts her journey from the Canary Islands to Helsinki to Sevilla, balancing passion, mentorship, and a healthy sense of humor. She talks about working through uncertainty after her master’s degree, the mentors who kept her smiling, and how an early accidents taught her resilience. Her message to aspiring scientists: follow your curiosity and don’t be afraid to change direction.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Python problems – digital PCR takes on the Everglades

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 other invasive species using environmental samples like soil and water. He explains how this technology enables detection even after the animals are gone, and how sampling strategy, environmental variables, and experimental design are critical to getting reliable data. He also compares qPCR and digital PCR, emphasizing how each has its place depending on sensitivity, speed, and sample complexity.

In the career corner, Brian shares how his academic journey was shaped by travel, risk-taking, and a healthy dose of failure. From surfing and skateboarding to discovering new species and running a diagnostic clinic, his path reminds us that science thrives on curiosity—and that even mistakenly detecting your own DNA can teach you something.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Life finds a way – copy number variation and drug metabolism

Wed, 21 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 tailoring treatments based on an individual's unique genetic makeup.

At the heart of Wendy’s research is CYP2D6, a cytochrome P450 enzyme responsible for metabolizing around 20% of all prescribed medications. She explains how her lab uses digital PCR to analyze copy number variations (CNV), offering a reliable and precise method to predict drug metabolism. Wendy dives into the complexities of structural variants, the role of digital PCR in enhancing assay efficiency, and why pharmacogenomics is a critical piece of the precision medicine puzzle. Her use of delightful metaphors—like comparing genetic testing to ladling soup—makes complex science both relatable and engaging.

In the Career Corner, Wendy opens up about her winding path to molecular biology, which included studying classical antiquity and nearly pursuing a career in history. She emphasizes the importance of resilience in research, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and encourages budding scientists to reach out to mentors and explore diverse interests. Plus, hear about her most embarrassing lab mishap (hint: it involves a fire alarm) and the proud moment of publishing her first, first-author paper.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Unlocking cancer’s genetic secrets with digital PCR

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 on Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She explains how her lab uses digital PCR to detect mutations with high precision, identify risk factors in certain populations, and even validate findings using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Through her research, Val sheds light on the role of SNPs, methylation patterns, and translocations in leukemia progression—demonstrating how digital PCR is transforming the way we approach cancer research.

Beyond the science, Val takes us on her personal journey, from struggling to break into research due to financial barriers to finding her passion in oncology. In this episode’s Career Corner, she shares valuable advice for aspiring scientists, tips for landing research opportunities, and some of her most hilarious and humbling lab moments (yes, she has broken multiple pipettes).

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

CRISPR, dPCR, and pigs – a cut above the rest

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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 models to study diseases like neurofibromatosis and cancer, providing researchers with more clinically relevant models than traditional small animals. He explains how digital PCR plays a crucial role in confirming genome edits with absolute precision, eliminating the ambiguity that often comes with qPCR and sequencing alone. The discussion dives into the advantages of dPCR for copy number variation analysis and gene editing confirmation, emphasizing the importance of multiple complementary technologies in modern molecular biology.

Beyond the science, Dr. Rubinstein reflects on his career path, the value of mentors, and the unpredictable nature of scientific discovery. He also joins in on some lighthearted lab humor and shares his most embarrassing (and proudest) moments in research. Tune in for an insightful and entertaining look at the intersection of gene editing, career evolution, and the future of molecular biology.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Season two amplified – reflections and takeaways

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Season 2 of Absolute Gene-ius comes to a close with a look back at the topics and inspiring conversations that have defined the series. From exploring innovative uses of digital PCR to uncovering its synergy with other molecular tools, this season was packed with insights for scientists at all levels.

Dive into the details as co-hosts Jordan Ruggieri and Christina Bouwens revisit memorable episodes, including using dPCR as a low-cost precursor to single-cell sequencing and its role in quantifying active mRNA in groundbreaking drug development. Hear from experts like Parker Wilson, Christian Cobaugh, and Raquel Munoz, who share how digital PCR is revolutionizing their workflows and complementing other tools like qPCR and NGS.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Absolute Gene-ius without a few puns! Stick around for some lighthearted banter as Jordan and Christina celebrate the season’s success, share their favorite moments, and hint at what’s coming in Season 3. Stay curious, and we’ll see you next cycle!

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

The Poisson perspective – counting out false positives

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The statistics of Poisson distributions can seem complex at first but are simpler than you think, which is important to know given their relevance to digital PCR. In short, they dictate the confidence you can have in the absolute quantification provided by dPCR.

Dr. Dave Bauer, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s very own dPCR Product Applications Specialist and statistics whiz, joins us once again for this short-but-sweet episode that’s a must hear for those working with rare, or low-abundance PCR targets. Dave and the hosts talk about applications like cancer research where these types of samples are common, and then get into the details of how the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System works to provide elegantly simple technologies like false positive rejection, background subtraction, low dead volume microfluidic array plates, and a master mix with chamber loading dye. Join us to learn what each of these are all about and how they help to provide confidence and reliability in results that matter for your precious samples.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Somatic mosaic loss of sex chromosomes and kidney disease

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Same may think of the pathologist’s toolbox as only the microscope and their eyes, but in reality today’s pathologists are using more and more molecular methods like NGS and PCR in additional to their traditional tools.

Meet Parker Wilson, MD, PhD. Parker is a faculty member Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on using modern molecular tools to investigate chronic kidney disease. He explains his work phenomenally, both from the general aspects, all the way down to the molecular methods, which include digital PCR. We learn about chronic kidney disease and the interesting genetic mutations associated with it, which Parker and his team are finding, include chromosomal loss. For this application, we hear how dPCR is adept at quantifying chromosome ratios within tissues, and is able to help them spot variations of only a single percent or two.

Our career corner portion uncovers an academic and career path with uncertainty and challenges one might not expect. Parker helps normalize these challenges and underscores the value of mentors in helping navigate them successfully. In the end, you have a phenomenally intelligent physician scientists sharing his exciting work and his insightful career development advice.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Automating accuracy – an insider’s view

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Modern science, especially in the genetic and molecular biology spaces, generate vast amounts of data, and require vast amounts of data to be generated for thorough analysis. For example, finding a rare gene mutation such as BCR-ABL as a biomarker for chronic myeloid leukemia is like searching for a needle in a haystack. For a situation like this, dPCR is an ideal method, but high-throughput automation is also needed.

Dr. Clarence Lee, Senior Product Manger at Thermo Fisher Scientific, tells how the QuantStudio™ Absolute Q™ AutoRun dPCR suite helps make the benefits of digital PCR available in an easy-to-use high-throughput system. The conversation covers how automation benefits are provided by MAP16 plates, system software, and the AutoRun plate hotel and loading robot. Clarence also talks about customer applications where he sees automation like this being applied to innovate and drive science forward.

In the career corner portion, we learn about Clarence’s journey from chemist and biophysicist, to roles in industry and his current role as a product manager. He shares what he loves most about his job and what he’s most proud of over his career that has spanned several diverse roles.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Helping democratize access and use of mRNA technology

Wed, 4 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The potential of mRNA medicines was postulated for years, but it took the COVID pandemic and emergency use authorizations for that potential to be demonstrated. By now, most of us have received at least one mRNA based vaccine and the platform has been mostly derisked. However, if you’re not one of the major players in this space, generating high-purity mRNA, let alone a GMP-grade mRNA-based drug product, can still be quite challenging.

Dr. Chrisitan Cobaugh, CEO of Vernal Biosciences in Vermont, has been working in the mRNA field for more than a decade and is passionate about the potential of mRNA medicines. He’s also been in the field long enough to know firsthand the challenges of high-purity mRNA and lipid nanoparticle supply. Join us as Christian walks us through his story, the start of Vernal Biosciences, and their progress toward their mission of democratizing access to mRNA technology. Our conversation touches on the molecular biology of making mRNA, and the use of digital PCR and other methods in monitoring development and release of mRNA drug products, and the potential applications of mRNA as a platform (some of which you might not have guessed).

Whether you’re new to the technology, or have chosen mRNA as a focus area, you’re sure to find this conversation engaging and intriguing, and our guest insightful.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Now that’s what I call a high-quality viral vector

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Viral vectors are a cornerstone of gene therapy and many employ experts in the viral vector services space to help design and produce their specialty vectors. These service providers are experts at making sure you get the vector you want with a titer and purity you need for your application.

We’re joined in this episode by Dr. Cliff Froelich, Head of Analytical Development for a viral vector services provider. Cliff and his team work with AAV, lentivirus, and other vectors to support multiple, and simultaneous, client projects. Specifically, we dive into how they use various analytical and molecular methods to monitor and assess identity, strength, purity, impurities, potency, efficiency, empty/full ratios, safety, and more. As you might expect, it’s not a one-method-does-it-all approach or solution. Yes, digital PCR is in the mix here, and Cliff does a great job of outlining where it shines relative to the other methods they use regularly in their GMP practice.

In our career corner portion, you’ll hear about Cliff’s circuitous career path, which includes stints in the poultry industry and time as a clinical dietitian. Through it all, and into his current role, Cliff brings a passion and genuine interest for the science and its potential to affect lives.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Christina Bouwens, Jordan Ruggieri) — Wed, 5 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

When you have a good thing going you often want it to last forever, but we know that can never happen. Life and the world around us are fluid, dynamic, and we’re always finding the balance of fighting or harnessing entropy and inevitable change.

As we encounter unexpected changes, we see them as chances to evaluate the foundations of our podcast's success while finding opportunities to evolve it and make it even better.

Join us for a reflection of where we are, how we got here, and a sneak preview at what’s to come. We’re here to assure you, evolution is a good thing!

What’s your vector, Victor?

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The fields of Cell and gene therapy are booming and poised to change the treatment and prevention of disease. These research areas require the transfer of genetic material to cells, and viral vectors are commonly used here. Specifically, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vectors (LVV) are vectors of choice.

We’re joined for this episode by MinGin Kim and Kimberly Gomez, both scientists at Thermo Fisher. With backgrounds and expertise in the areas of cell and gene therapy, they help explain what all the excitement is about and how AAV and LVV are used. We hear about some of the challenges associated with viral vector work and get to hear about how digital PCR (dPCR) and good assay design are helping overcome many of these challenges to enable research and the biopharmaceutical industry. As you might expect from Absolute Gene-ius, you also get to hear their respective career path journeys and some really interesting lab stories.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

A passion for cfDNA analysis is in her blood

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Organ transplantation is a modern marvel, with more than 157,000 solid organ, and more than 9,000 marrow and blood transplants occurring worldwide in 2022. Organ donor and recipient matching and compatibility screening has progressed significantly in recent decades as molecular methods have progressed rapidly to support this and other fields. Specifically, typing of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) has expanded to consider ethnic population variation and cell free DNA (cfDNA) monitoring is now being used to monitor recipients for biomarkers that indicate organ rejection.

Our guest for this episode, Dr. Lee Ann Baxter-Lowe, Director of the HLA Laboratory at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been working in the field of transplantation science for virtually her entire career. Join us for a great explanation of the science and a first-hand recounting of developing the assays, from decades ago, before thermal cyclers existed, to her cutting-edge work using digital PCR to progress the field even further.

Lee Ann also shares very personal aspects of her career journey in her conversation with Cassie. This includes her describing the scientific “studies” of her and her cousin as children, her venturing into the world of HLA typing when it was emerging, and the role her family has played in her career, which gets personal quickly when she shares that her husband is currently dealing with a blood malignancy.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

“Junk” RNA is anything but garbage

Wed, 3 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Before the 1990s, small bits of RNA were considered junk by most, but the 1993 discovery of microRNA (miRNAs) began to reveal that bits of only 19-24 nucleotides of RNA can have an important gene regulation function in cells. Since their discovery, there has been a flurry of work to catalog known miRNAs and understand their functions, which include being tied to specific disease states such as leukemia.

According to our guest, Dr. Guy Novotny, Molecular Biologist at Herlev Hospital in Copenhagen, it’s now relatively easy to identify a miRNAs and follow their expression, but to figure out what they’re actually doing is a real challenge. We hear how he and his team have recently adopted digital PCR, and the benefits that come with it, to study microRNAs and figure out what proteins they’re regulating the expression of. This includes basic research, where Guy is “adding to the big pile of data that’s existing out there,” and he also does clinical research that has a closer connection to specific disease states and subject outcomes. As always, you’ll get to learn about his career journey and learn that there’s really not much that cake cannot fix.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

The Bioinformatic artistry behind PCR assay design

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Designing a successful PCR assay is all about selecting the right primers to deliver the sensitivity and selectivity for which PCR is known for. But anyone that’s designed an assay themselves will know that doing so successfully is a lot harder it sounds.

We’re joined by two PCR assay design pros for this episode. Kimi Soohoo Ong, and Dr. Rounak Feigelman, both from Thermo Fisher Scientific, shine a light on the many factors that must be considered to design a winning PCR assay. From the level of fragmentation of nucleic acids in the sample, to what other species’ genomes that may be present in the sample, to what the sample matrix may contain, to the PCR master mix being used, if multiplexing is required, to what assay controls will be, and more! These two practiced bioinformaticians cover these challenges and then tell us how their team overcomes challenges to develop winning assays for both qPCR and dPCR applications. Our conversation uncovers the level of skill and artistry that goes into this craft.

As always, you get to learn a bit more about our guests’ backgrounds and career paths in the Cassie’s Career Corner portion of the interview. They share how they both chose a bioinformatics path over wet lab work, while also acknowledging how important the wet lab work is to what they do. They also share some great advice and resources for anyone looking to explore a career in bioinformatics.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

CAR-T loads of immunology insights

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Blood is a symbol of life, which makes sense given that it plays such an important role in so many body functions, including our immune system. Blood makes up approximately 8% of your normal body weight and unfortunately, cancers of the blood, including lymphoma and leukemia, account for ~10% of all diagnosed cancers in the U.S. each year.

CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a promising method to engineer a subject’s own immune cells to fight bloodborne cancer. Our guest for this episode, Raquel Munoz from the Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío in Seville Spain, is doing research in this exciting CAR-T cell therapy space. Specifically, she is working to develop methods to help better quantify and understand the expansion of CAR-T cells in the body to help monitor treatment and predict outcomes. We learn about why digital PCR was selected for her work and how it’s helped raise confidence in the results they’re getting. We even hear about how she believes this treatment will find success in treating solid tumor cancers.

In Cassie’s career corner, we learn how Raquel found her career path and love of immunology and working in a hospital setting. Raquel also shares some great career advice, stories of lab mishaps, and the dangerous hobby that she says is some of the only time she’s not thinking about work or problems.

 Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

A couple of reproductive biology experts

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

We are all the product of a reproductive process, yet reproductive biology, or the study of the processes and mechanisms involved in reproduction, is not well understood. Deepening our understanding of reproductive biology is crucial to advancing assistive reproductive technologies (ART) and advancing our collective comprehension of inheritance and evolution.

Our guests for this episode are a couple, and we mean a literal married couple, of reproductive biology experts. Dr. Pavla Brachova and Dr. Nehemiah Alvarez, both working in the Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Department of Physiological Sciences. In their collaborative work they aim to better understand and characterize the role of RNA and cellular events that impact ovarian function in women. We learn about their work with oocytes, which are single cells that grow and mature within the ovary and once fertilized provide the foundations of an embryo capable of maturing to a new individual. They outline how they use digital PCR (dPCR) and other methods to monitor RNA regulation in single cells and how progressing this work and lead to potential RNA-based therapies.

In Cassie’s career corner we hear childhood stories from each guest and learn about their respective career paths, which eventually collided and merged. They share insights on the importance of having mentors experienced in your field, the challenges of shared job searching, and the joys of collaborating as a couple with shared scientific interests.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Can you handle the Gene-ius?

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Jordan Ruggieri, Cassie McCreary) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome back Gene-iuses!  Jordan and Cassie kick us off with a fun teaser of what’s to come in Season 2 of the Absolute Gene-ius series.  

 We’ll be featuring another great season of interesting guests, all using dPCR to progress their diverse research applications. This includes conversations about reproductive biology, liquid biopsy and transplantation research, CAR-T research, the role of bioinformatics in PCR assay design, micro-RNA analysis, differential gene expression analysis, and of course Cassie’s Career Corner, where we get to learn about people behind the science.  

 This teaser, like every episode of Absolute Gene-ius, has the fun baked in to keep it all light and interesting too.  You might even hear some digital PCR jokes! 

 Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to access the entire first season and to learn more about the hosts and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.  

An introspective retrospective

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Jordan Ruggieri, Cassie McCreary) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

It’s not every day that you discover a new podcast series you like, and it’s not every day that you start hosting a podcast series either! To bookend this inaugural season of Absolute Gene-ius, Jordan and Cassie interview each other to provide a retrospective look at the season and to learn more about each other and their respective career paths.

In their recap of the season, we revisit the diversity of applications that guests used digital PCR to progress, from monitoring wastewater for infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2, to monitoring zebrafish populations to ensure research organizations around the world have reliable model organisms, to looking characterizing microbial diversity in some of the Earth’s most extreme environments. We also get to hear about each hosts’ favorite moments, biggest surprise, what they’re proud of, and what they love most about the series they’re helping build.

Jordan and Cassie also share a bit more about their individual career paths and journey within science. We learn how Jordan parlayed a childhood connection to a Claymation elf dentist into being a published author his career in marketing life science products. We learn how Cassie’s had several jobs that led to eye-opening experiences that eventually led to her finding a home in technical marketing and communication. Don’t miss this season 1 recap to get to know your hosts a bit better and to hear about what’s coming soon!

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

This episode includes the following sound effects from freesound.org, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0:

“Sax Jazz” by alonart
“Crowd Cheering” by SoundsExciting
“Drum Roll, Please!” by HoBoTrails

Let’s make a bet – Poisson statistics of digital PCR

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Cassie McCreary, Jordan Ruggieri) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was discovered in 1983 by Kary Mullis and Michael Smith, who were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993. Since then, PCR has been a cornerstone method that has been a pillar of discovery and applied science. The various types of PCR are sometimes confusing, and the relative pros and cons of each method are not always clear, which is why it’s so great to have this episode's guest explain them all in a simple and clear-cut way.

Dave Bauer, PhD, is an Application Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific that specializes in real time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR). He has an educational background in physics, mathematics, and biology, but what’s more important is that Dave loves to help others learn and to break down a topic’s complexities to make it more understandable and approachable. In this episode we hear Dave explain the difference between qPCR and dPCR, the importance of Poisson statistics to dPCR, dead volume, reaction chamber volume consistency, and more. We learn how qPCR and dPCR complement each other and how they relate to sequencing methods for applications like single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection.

As you’ve come to expect from Absolute Gene-ius, you also get a good sense of who Dave is and how he got to his current role. We learn about how he knew right away that academia wasn’t for him, how he ended up unexpectedly working in forensics after his PhD, and how he eventually landed in his current Application Scientist role. Dave shares some great insights and advice, including how students should care less about their degree’s name and more about what techniques they’re learning and using in their studies.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

This episode includes the following sound effects from freesound.org, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0:

“Sax Jazz,” by alonart
“Balloon Pop / Christmas cracker / Confetti Cannon,” by Breviceps
“Crowd Cheering,” by SoundsExciting

Bioinformatics — the bridge to understanding biology

Wed, 9 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Bioinformatics is a relatively new field of science that is very interdisciplinary in nature. Its practitioners use a mixture of biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and computer science to develop methods and software aimed at helping integrate and understand biological and other data.  

Our guest for this episode is Nikhil Ram Mohan, Staff Scientist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He describes bioinformatics as the bridge to understanding biology. We learn about his international studies and path that brought him to this current role and field of study, and then dive into some of his recent work. Here he and his team analyze biobank samples using digital PCR (dPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) and compare results from the two while correlating results with additional data available for each sample to determine if SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection and quantification in blood can serve to help predict potential for patient coinfection. Their work found that dPCR was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 in samples that were negative when evaluated by qPCR and that a series of biomarkers can help predict coinfection.   

We also get to hear a bit of Nikhil’s interesting personal story, which includes his undergraduate engineering studies in India and leaving his native country for the first time when he moved to the U.S. for graduate school.  We learn how he managed changes in culture, what he loves about teaching, and about him being a new father.  

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System. 

PCR on ‘zombie’ organisms in extreme environments

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 16:00:00 +0000

There are very few remaining locations on Earth that are untouched by humans, and those that do remain are in very extreme environments that are difficult to access. However, accessing and studying life in these extreme environments can provide unique insights to the biology of life. Understanding how simple organisms adapt and survive in seemingly unlivable conditions is a unique field of study with the potential to inform and affect the human condition.

We’re joined in this episode by Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese and Lydia Hayes-Guastella from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab at the University of South Alabama. They are both geomicrobiologists that study microbial life in extreme environments like the Mariana Trench and Antarctica. They do an excellent job of painting a picture of how extreme conditions are in these environments and how they manage to collect and preserve samples from such harsh conditions. We learn about the various methods they use to analyze the microbial samples they collect, including the use of digital PCR (dPCR) to detect and quantify transcripts that would otherwise not be detectable given how few cells they’re able to collect.

Brandi and Lydia also share their unpredictable career path journeys, while sharing some insights and learnings from their respective experiences. We learn what they each love about their work and what qualities is takes to be successful at what they do. Once again, we’re reminded of what a small world it is, especially when you’re in a specialty field such as geomicrobiology of extreme environments.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

An Absolute Gene-ius announcement

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Cassie McCreary) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This mid-season message from Cassie includes the announcement of the arrival of Jordan’s first baby, which will mean a short delay in production of the second half of the season. We will be back soon though with more great conversations with the Gene-iuses using dPCR to progress their science. In the meantime, we hope you’ll constructive feedback via absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com or in a review on whatever service you stream us through. We also hope you’re tell a friend about us so that they can catch up on back episodes during the break. Stay curious!

Shrimp-ly amazing science

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Microbial consortia are groups of diverse microorganisms that have the ability to act together in a community. Such consortia are common in nature and are known to play important roles in many ecosystems but are not always well understood. Soil management and nutrient mobilization are one area where complex communities of microbes are known to be important, whether it be a naturally occurring consortium, or a man-made consortium.

In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius Jordan and Cassie talk with Dr. Ray Ketchum form Agrinos about the microbial consortia he and his team cultivate and produce to improve plan health and increase crop yields. We learn about the challenges of fermenting mixtures of more than 20 diverse microorganisms to reproducibly make products that improve plant health and mobilize nutrients in a completely organic way. As you might expect, digital PCR plays in important role in Ray’s R&D and quality control process. Here, they use dPCR to titer each of the species within their consortia for quality and regulatory purposes, a task that cannot be done by cell culture methods given the range of bacteria involved.

Cassie’s career corner gets Ray sharing his full career development story from undergraduate, through grad school and postdoc positions, and into his professional career. Ray is generous in sharing his early misconceptions about miscalculations while providing advice to help other avoid similar missteps.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Raising the fish that spawn our insights

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The use of model organisms in science dates to ancient Greece and represents an important way humans have progressed our collective understanding of biology and disease. We’ve probably all heard of using mice, rats, or even Drosophila melanogaster (i.e., fruit flies) in the lab, but zebrafish have surged in their use as a model organism. Zebrafish are small, more cost effective to maintain, have a fast generational lifecycle, and have clear embryos that enable direct observation of their development. As is the case with any model system used across the globe, standards matter and help make results transferrable to other studies. This is where our guests come into the picture.

For this unique episode we’re joined by both Corbin Schuster and Zoltan Varga of Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) at the University of Oregon. In their roles, they help raise and maintain over 12,000 genetically unique zebrafish lines for use in studies across the globe. We learn about the health monitoring they conduct on a regular basis to maintain their colony and support their own and partner studies using their zebrafish. The conversation touches on:

Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods they employ
Assay development and method selection based on their need for sensitivity and specificity
The use of qPCR and dPCR in their work
Studies and monitoring of parasites and pathogens that affect their colony
How zebrafish have helped shift research from forward genetic studies to reverse genetic studies

As always, you’ll also get to know our guests on a more personal level. We learn about how they each got into this line of work, what they love about it, and how they both value human relationships and helping their communities. Through the audio alone you’ll get a sense of the positive, kind, and collaborative attitudes that have helped them both be successful in their careers.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Avoiding the itch with digital PCR

Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Parasites may bet a bad rap overall, but they play a vital role in healthy ecosystems. In this episode, we focus on the role parasites play in freshwater ecosystems. Specifically, we’re talking about the role of avian schistosomes, a very interesting parasite that infects waterfowl, but that also uses snails as a host in its larval stage. Larvae also infect humans to cause what’s know as swimmer’s itch.

To guide this conversation we have Dr. Patrick Hanington, associate professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. As a self-described parasitologist and immunologist he and his team focus on developing multiplexed PCR-based tests to detect freshwater parasites, including avian schistosomes. Their work benefits locals in his area by monitoring pubic and recreational waters for swimmer’s itch outbreaks, but their work also serves as a model for informing human schistosome research, where Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent disease worldwide, behind malaria.

In our conversation with Patrick we learn about how they design their assays, why they’re increasingly using dPCR instead of qPCR. Beyond the technical work, we get into how Patrick’s career path developed, how what he loves most about his job has changed and evolved over time, his lessons learned in the lab, and how his research and hobbies have blended over time. And because it’s Absolute Gene-ius, you know we keep it fun with some unexpected movie references and a bit of discussion about how science is represented in television and film.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Insights from a PCR Whisperer

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

The details of what make digital PCR (dPCR) different from real-time, or quantitative PCR (qPCR) are relatively simple but not always explained very well. Likewise, it’s not always clear which use cases are a good fit for dPCR, and which others simply don’t require the power of dPCR. The power of digital PCR is real, if you understand it.

In this episode we enlist Marcia Slater, a self-described “PCR guru” to explain digital PCR and its power. She covers the basic differences between dPCR and qPCR and then delves into the details of where dPCR derives its power and where it shines. With over 20 years’ experience in helping customers troubleshoot PCR, Marcia makes is easy to understand key terms and concepts related to dPCR, including:

Sub-reactions
Poisson statistics
Statistical power and confidence intervals
Controls and false negatives vs. true negatives
Dead volume
Dynamic range
Multiplexing

Marcia also covers some great examples of where the absolute quantification of dPCR is a great fit and how it’s even used to qualify and quantify standards for qPCR. Multiplexing and how its used to do molecular integrity evaluations for gene therapy applications is also discussed.

As always with the Gene-ius series, you’ll also get to learn about more than Marcia’s science chops. We learn about her unlikely career path from growing up on a livestock farm to her storied role in helping produce “data so beautiful it should be framed.” We even get into her rediscovered love of raising animals, including her beloved panda alpaca with a name you cannot forget!

Tales of a pandemic PhD

Wed, 3 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guest, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been around for a while and has been used to track drugs of abuse, chemical waste, and pathogens alike. It may not be the most glorious of samples to work with, but wastewater has proven to be a valuable way to do community-wide monitoring. The COVID pandemic brought new attention and focus to WBE once it was shown it could be used to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus to alert public health officials to outbreaks, often before clinical symptoms presented.

Our Gene-ius guest for this inaugural episode is Dr. Sarah Philo, a postdoctoral research associate with the Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Public Health Threats Research Coordination Network at the University of Notre Dame. In her conversation with Jordan and Cassie, Sarah talks about how she found this area of research and the “joys” of working with wastewater samples. We learn about how she and her team have used both qPCR and dPCR to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 and antimicrobial resistance genes in wastewater.

The conversation also touches on several other interesting and informative topics that include a ‘one health’ approach to public health, the importance of team and teamwork in academics, considerations when selecting a graduate research program, the importance of passion in science, and how science is the ‘punk rock’ discipline within academia. Join us for this fun start of the series and this first season!

Season 1 Teaser

absolute.geneius@thermofisher.com (Cassie McCreary, Jordan Ruggieri) — Mon, 3 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

This series and season 1 intro is a perfect bite-sized taste of the Absolute Gene-ius podcast series. You get to meet the hosts, Jordan and Cassie, and hear about their backgrounds while sampling their hosting style and sense of humor. They cover what their goals are for the series and some of the interesting digital PCR topics and applications that will be covered in the inaugural season of this new series. Tune in to become an Absolute Gene-ius!