It’s almost impossible to overstate how many aspects of daily life are impacted by science. From technologies that help ensure the quality of the water we drink...
Listen to the conversation as they discuss:How health equity is a key component of Thermo Fisher’s core business.How Thermo Fisher leverages its capabilities and customer relationships to further its impact.Initiatives that improve health equity through accessibility to drug-resistant HIV testing, next-generation sequencing to diagnose lung and breast cancer in 30 underserved countries, increasing the accessibility to and diversity in clinical trials, and more.New programs in 2024.
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Access to Clinical Trials: Eliminating Barriers to Enrollment for Women
Dr. Blackburne shares insights into:The challenges of recruiting women and minority groups for clinical trials, noting the logistical and societal barriers they face.Innovative solutions, such as telemedicine and flexible scheduling, to make trial participation more accessible. Recent advances in clinical research, including a groundbreaking preeclampsia test and contributions to COVID-19 vaccine trials, highlighting Thermo Fisher's pivotal role in these developments.
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From Waste to Worth: Rethinking Plastics with NREL's Insights
The Critical Role of Plastics in Modern SocietyDespite the challenges associated with plastic in the environment, Kat Knauer, Ph.D., emphasizes the indispensable role of plastics in healthcare, research, and daily life. She points out that while plastics have significantly improved quality of life and medical care, their improper disposal poses a significant threat to the environment. She advocates for a balanced approach to improving plastics use, suggesting that the answer lies not in eliminating plastics altogether but in innovating more sustainable management and recycling practices. This nuanced perspective encourages listeners to appreciate the benefits of plastics while acknowledging the urgency of addressing their environmental impact. Innovations in Plastic Recycling and SustainabilityKat introduces groundbreaking work on the development of sustainable technologies for recycling plastics and designing new materials that are recyclable by design. She highlights the BOTTLE Consortium's efforts in chemically upcycling existing plastic waste streams and creating plastics that are more compatible with the environment. This initiative reflects a significant shift towards reducing reliance on single-use plastics and fossil fuels, aiming for a circular economy where the life cycle of a plastic is extended through recycling and reuse. Kat's discussion on these innovations offers hope for a future where plastic pollution is significantly mitigated through scientific research and technological advancement. Collaboration as a Key to Tackling Plastic PollutionThe conversation underscores the importance of collaboration across different sectors to address the plastic waste crisis. Kat mentions partnerships with companies like Amazon and Patagonia, which are working towards creating more sustainable packaging solutions and textile recycling methods. These collaborations illustrate how combining efforts from the scientific community, industry leaders, and consumers can lead to innovative solutions that promote a more sustainable future. Calling for increased collaboration and communication to bridge gaps in the recycling process, Kat also offers tips for more responsible consumption and disposal practices among consumers.
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It’s In Our Genes: The Potential of Gene Therapy with Dr. Peter Marks
Gene Therapy's Potential to Transform Rare Disease TreatmentDr. Peter Marks highlights the groundbreaking advancements in gene therapy, especially for rare diseases with high unmet medical needs. He discusses the FDA's role in fostering these innovations, underscoring the importance of understanding gene therapy's application and ensuring its safe delivery. Dr. Marks emphasizes the challenges in manufacturing gene therapies, noting that overcoming these hurdles is essential for treating large populations and common diseases. This insight reflects on the hope and complexity of gene therapy, aiming to provide one-time treatments that could drastically improve patient outcomes.The Role of AI in Enhancing Gene Therapy DevelopmentDr. Marks points out the significant potential use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in gene therapy, from product design to clinical development and manufacturing. AI’s ability to predict off-target effects and streamline the manufacturing process could be a game-changer in this space. By harnessing AI, researchers and developers can optimize safety signals and process large quantities of data for continuous improvement. This insight underscores the potential of AI to revolutionize gene therapy, making it more efficient and effective.Emphasizing the Human Impact of Gene TherapiesDr. Marks and Miller share personal stories of patients and families affected by rare diseases, illustrating the transformative power of gene therapy. They recount profound effects of recent gene therapy approvals on individuals and their communities, particularly highlighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Marks's narrative conveys the deep emotional and physical impact of gene therapy, not just as a scientific achievement but as a means to significantly enhance lives. This insight brings to light the importance of patient-centered approaches in the development and application of gene therapies.
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Decoding Cellular Secrets: Advances in Mass Spectrometry Technology
Revolutionizing Biomedical Research with Mass SpectrometryJoshua J. Coon discusses the transformative role of mass spectrometry in biomedical research. This technology, as he explains, allows for the precise weighing of molecules, providing critical insights into their identity and quantity. Coon's lab utilizes mass spectrometry to analyze complex biological systems, such as cells and tissues, identifying over 10,000 molecules in a single sample. This capability has significant implications for understanding genetic and lifestyle influences on molecular behavior in organisms. Coon's work exemplifies how a fundamental scientific tool can lead to profound discoveries in disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Linking Unknown Proteins to Disease: A New FrontierCoon highlights a groundbreaking project where his team investigates proteins of unknown function, particularly those involved in metabolism and located in mitochondria. By creating cell lines with each lacking a different protein and then using mass spectrometry to analyze the resulting molecular changes, they can infer relationships between known and unknown proteins. This approach has led to identifying the functions of several proteins and linking them to specific human disorders. This research is not only pioneering in its method but also crucial in laying the groundwork for new therapies, as understanding protein functions can lead to targeted drug development. Personal Journey: From Rural Roots to Research LeaderJoshua J. Coon shares his personal journey, beginning in rural Michigan, where his early interests in science and woodworking led him to the field of mass spectrometry. His path took him through the University of Florida for his PhD and the University of Virginia for postdoctoral studies, culminating in leading his research group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Joshua emphasizes the joy of training the next generation of scientists, with his lab producing over 50 PhD students and postdocs who are now contributing significantly to science globally. This insight not only sheds light on Coon's professional achievements but also highlights his role in mentoring and shaping future scientific leaders.
It’s almost impossible to overstate how many aspects of daily life are impacted by science. From technologies that help ensure the quality of the water we drink, to medicines that deliver lifesaving treatments – it’s all thanks to science. Each month, members of Thermo Fisher Scientific's team talk to experts who are on the cutting-edge of redefining how we exist. This is Science with a Twist.
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