Discovery Matters

In this episode of Discovery Matters, new research using the Swedish Twin Registry reveals that genetics may account for up to 50% of intrinsic lifespan, far more than previously thought. Associate Professor Sara Hegg (Karolinska Institutet) explains what heritability really means, why earlier models underestimated genetics, and what this does (and doesn’t) mean for lifestyle, biohacking, and aging interventions. The result: a more nuanced view of how biology, chance, and choice shape how long we live.

AI is moving fast — but is life science actually adopting it?In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore how artificial intelligence is being used across pharma and life sciences, and where progress is still cautious. Joined by Joe Luminiello, CEO of RCG Intel, we discuss the balance between speed and safety, innovation and regulation, and why human context still matters as much as algorithms.Cutting through the hype, this conversation asks not just whether the industry should use AI — but how to do it thoughtfully.

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 powerful tools for good, and the ethical guardrails needed when working at the frontier of life sciences. It’s a fascinating look at how AI is becoming a partner in research — and what that means for the future of biology.

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 Peiqing Zhang, we explore how advanced biology, data science, and biomanufacturing all collide to turn promising therapies into real-world treatments.

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‑based hormone therapies to patients. From regulation and innovation to patient outcomes, this conversation reframes testosterone as a core component of everyday health — not a cultural stereotype.