Talking Techniques

This episode of the Talking Techniques podcast dives into the realm of cancer immunotherapies, focusing on antigen discovery and T-cell receptor engineering for T-cell therapies. Guiding us through the field is Jim Heath, President of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, where he runs the Heath Lab, investigating fundamental immunology, and infectious and chronic diseases. Jim discusses the computational models and wet lab techniques he uses to characterize T cells, the importance of targeting a balanced immune response with immunotherapies and more in this podcast recorded at AACR 2024 (5th–10th April 2024; San Diego, CA, USA).Contents:Introductions: 00:00-02:00Intro to cancer vaccines and T-cell therapies: 02:00-04:00Antigen detection and validation in T-cell therapies: 04:00-05:20Wet lab and computational techniques for antigen detection: 05:20-09:15The importance of a balanced immune response to cancer immunotherapies: 09:15-10:30Technological developments in antigen detection: 10:30-13:45 Tips for best practice when conducting T-cell receptor design 13:45-15:40What is one thing you would like to see change in the field of antigen detection and T-cell receptor engineering? 15:40-16:30 Designing the path towards a more balanced immune response from immunotherapies 16:30-19:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Ritwika Biswas, Field Application Scientist at Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA), discusses the use of cytokines in immunotherapy. Ritwika details the role of cytokines in the body, before going on to discuss how they can be used as therapeutics and to guide treatment decisions. Ritwika also shares how she thinks these proteins will be used in the future.Contents·      Introduction: 00:00–01:35·      The role of cytokines in the body: 01:35–02:52·      Immune regulation and signaling: 02:52–05:40·      Cytokine interactions and networks: 05:40–08:42·      Modulating cytokine activity for therapeutic purposes: 08:42–12:35·      The influence of cytokines on immunotherapy outcomes: 12:35–16:04·      Using cytokines to predict treatment responses and guide immunotherapy decisions: 16:04–20:44·      The importance of standardizing and validating cytokine diagnostic assays: 20:44–24:36·      The future of cytokines in immunotherapy: 24:36–26:11 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cell-surface proteome plays a critical role in immune-cell function; however, our ability to examine its interactions and spatial organization has previously been limited by available proteomic techniques. This episode explores the function of immune-cell membrane proteins and how the latest developments in spatial proteomics have enabled more detailed interrogation of these proteins and their spatial relationships.Our guest, Hanna van Ooijen, Immunology Application Scientist at Pixelgen Technologies guides us through the field, revealing a new technique that enables spatial analysis of the cell-surface proteome at a single-cell resolution and highlighting some exciting discoveries that it has facilitated.Contents:Introductions: 00:00-01:40Introducing Molecular Pixelation: 01:40-02:15Example applications of Molecular Pixelation: 02:15-03:20The role of membrane proteins in immune cell function: 03:20-07:25Traditional techniques to investigate cell membrane proteins: 07:15-10:20Recent improvements in investigative technology and our understanding of immunology: 10:20-11:10Challenges associated with current technologies: 11:10-13:50How Molecular Pixelation can address these challenges: 13:50-15:25Molecular Pixelation workflow: 15:25-17:55Tips for best practice when using molecular pixelation: 17:55-19:30Exciting discoveries using Molecular pixelations: 19:30-21:00Potential implications of molecular pixelation for the future of immunology: 21:00-24:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we catch up with Michael Long, Principle Investigator of the Long Lab at New York University (NY, USA), where he investigates the neural circuits that underlie vocal communication.Through the examination of animal models, from songbirds to the rare singing mice of Costa Rica, with cutting-edge imaging techniques Michael reveals fascinating insights into vocal communication. We also discuss his human experiments, working alongside neurosurgeons, with emerging electrophysiological probes to monitor the neural activity of participants as they speak and interact, ultimately revealing how this research could begin to provide solutions for neurological conditions impacting communication, such as autism.Contents:Introduction: 00:00 – 01:40Investigating neural circuits underlying vocal communication: 01:40 – 04:15Techniques to explore animal models of vocal communication: 04:15 – 06:25The impact of cooling brain regions on songbird singing: 06:25 – 07:50The techniques used to investigate animal models: 07:50 – 12:20Songbirds: 07:50 – 09:45The singing mouse: 10:00 – 12:20Investigating neural circuits in humans during speech: 12:20 – 16:30Investigating neural circuits in humans during conversation: 16:30 – 19:00Moving beyond neural area identification towards understanding neural pathways and mechanisms: 19:00 – 21:40Navigating neuropixels, big data and safety: 21:40 – 26:10If there was one thing you could ask for to help you better understand these pathways, what would it be? 26:10 – 27:55The experience of working with patients undergoing neurosurgery: 27:55 – 30:30The potential impact on speech disorders and autism: 30:30 – 33:15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Launching our fourth season of Talking Techniques, this episode, supported by the University of Cincinnati (OH, USA) we delve into rare disease research and pharmacogenomics, their intersection and the key techniques used to explore them.Guiding us through these fields is Brenna Carey, an Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center whose research focuses on rare disease pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapeutic development and who also runs key courses on the University’s Pharmacogenomics and Drug Discovery Masters degree programs.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:15An introduction to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and rare lung diseases 01:15-03:50Techniques to investigate the pathogenesis of PAP: 03:50-05:30Developing diagnostics and therapeutics for PAP: 05:30-08:20The importance of pharmacogenomics in drug development: 08:20-11:25Key techniques and approaches in pharmacogenomics: 11:25-13:00Emerging trends in pharmacogenomics: 13:00-15:05Key takeaways from your pharmacogenomics course: 15:00-18:00What would you ask for to improve our understanding of pharmacogenomics? 18:00-20:15This episode is supported by the University of Cincinnati Online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we talk to Andrew Lee, a senior research fellow in Queen’s University Belfast’s (UK) wastewater-based epidemiology group, about his work using wastewater to monitor and detect infectious diseases. Andrew discusses how wastewater surveillance acts as an early warning system, providing novel, unbiased insights into human and animal pathogens that are circulating within a community, and how this can contribute to a ‘One Health’ approach. He also explains how he has incorporated nanopore sequencing into his work, and the advantages that this provides.Contents:·         00:00­–01:45: Introductions·         01:45–03:45: Wastewater surveillance for infectious disease·         03:45–05:35: Genomic surveillance approaches can complement established epidemiological methods·         05:35–07:25: Why look at wastewater?·         07:25–10:40: The advantages of nanopore sequencing for wastewater surveillance·         10:40–12:25: The experimental workflow·         12:25–15:05: Using wastewater surveillance to detect both human and avian influenza·         15:05–18:20: Wastewater surveillance as an early warning system·         18:20–20:47: Future perspectives: other environmental samples, antimicrobial resistance and what else can be found in wastewater? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Rachel Thijssen, an Assistant Professor at Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC; the Netherlands), discusses her research using single-cell analyses to investigate treatment-resistant leukemia cells. Rachel explains her single-cell technique called rapid capture hybridization sequencing (RaCH-seq), how she utilizes nanopore sequencing, and how she hopes that this technique can be used to gain new insights into disease and improve therapies.  Contents:00:00–01:35: Introduction 01:35–03:25: Single-cell sequencing in leukemia research03:25–05:15: What is single-cell RaCH-seq?05:15–06:10: Using nanopore sequencing for RaCH-seq06:10–07:30: How can other researchers apply RaCH-seq to their work?07:30–09:50: Looking to the future: spatial biology, collaborations and improved therapies  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, Ritwika Biswas, Field Scientist at Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA), walks us through the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) development process and how T and natural killer (NK) cells can be utilized to carry these modular synthetic molecules. Ritwika also addresses the safety and efficacy of these cell therapies as well as the ethical considerations around them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, supported by Fortis Life Sciences, we delve into the relationship between mitochondria, inflammation and cancer, discussing the new techniques that are bearing fruit in this field, such as spatial analysis.Our expert insight for this episode comes from Phillip West, Principle Investigator of the West lab at Texas A&M Medicine (TX, USA). Philip explains the role mitochondria can play in cancer and heart disease, reveals some of his most exciting discoveries of late and provides technical tips for investigating this field.Listen on to discover how his use of spatial techniques has helped uncover mechanisms linking mitochondrial damage to the stifling of the immune system in the tumor microenvironment and the latest breakthroughs at the intersection of mitochondria and cancer.Contents:Introduction: 00:00-01:30The innate immune system, in inflammation and disease: 01:30-04:20The role of mitochondria in innate immunity: 04:20-07:00Categorizing DAMPS and their role in cardiovascular disease: 07:00-08:40Mitochondria and cancer: 08:40-11:55Techniques for the investigation of mitochondria: 11:55-15:20Best practice techniques for spatial studies: 15:20-17:35Discoveries made using spatial approaches to mitochondrial investigations: 17:35-19:55The latest developments in the intersection of mitochondria, cancer and inflammation: 19:55-22:20What is one thing you would ask for to improve your understanding of this field? 22:20-24:20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, sponsored by Zymo Research, we explore the microbiome and how long-read sequencing techniques are changing our approach to the field and the exciting discoveries that they have led to. To do this we speak to Kris Locken, Molecular Biologist in the Research & Development department of Zymo Research (CA, USA), and Jeremy Wilkinson, Global Marketing Specialist for Microbial Genomics at PacBio (CA, USA).Find out how microbes compare to nuts and what this means for the challenges of metagenomic sample preparation, how long reads can stack up vs short reads for metagenome assembly and much more, all in this latest episode of Talking TechniquesContents:Intro: 00:00-01:55What is metagenomics and why is it important for microbial studies? 01:55-03:55How has long-read sequencing impacted metagenomics? 03:55-06:05Long-read vs short-read sequencing workflows: 06:05-07:15Addressing barriers to long-read sequencing: 07:15-08:45Sample preparation for long-read sequencing: 08:45-12:20Development of long-read sequencing to improve accuracy and capabilities: 12:20-14:40Best practice for assembly and analysis: 14:40-17:40Exciting examples of the benefits of long-read sequencing: 17:40-20:00What would you wish for to improve the ability long-read sequencing in microbiomics: 20:00-21:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, our second recorded at Neuroscience 2022 (13-19th April 2022; San Diego, CA, USA), delves into the importance of open data in neuroscience and the FAIR guidelines, which encourage researchers to make their data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable.Sharing her considerable expertise in this area is one of the authors of the FAIR guidelines, Maryann Martone, who provides some key examples of the successes that open data practices have delivered so far and cautionary tales for how current practices are damaging the field.Listen on to find out how to implement open data practices, how they can help your lab and why Maryann sees it as our responsibility to resolve!Contents:Introduction: 00:00-02:00Introducing open neuroscience and the meaning of FAIR 02:00-03:00Exposing outdated paradigms in science: academic targets, publications, reproducibility and data accessibility: 03:00-06.30Incentivizing open data and reassigning value restructuring academia: 06:30-08.40The impact of FAIR within labs: 08:40-09:50Challenges of establishing and barriers to Open and FAIR neuroscience 09:50-12:00The reception of these guidelines in the field: 12:00-16:50Examples of the impact of open data in the spinal cord injury community: 16:50-18:10Marryann’s experience of enacting changes early in her career: 18:10-21:20Judging value in scientific research and understanding your purpose: 21:20-24:20The importance of investment: 24:20-26:30The impact of industry on lab data: 26:30-27:50Practical tips for addressing your lab data: 27:50-31:10Key tips for preparing data for an open-source repository 31:10-33.15The FAIR data principles explained: 33.15-37:50 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we head to the Ecuadorian rainforest to chat about the use of sequencing in conservation with Zane Libke, a field researcher based at Sumak Kawsay In Situ (Pastaza, Ecuador). Zane discusses how he turned his fascination with nature into a career, his current work using nanopore sequencing technologies to find undescribed species and helping train future field researchers.We also explore the benefits of fighting biodiversity in a more local-centric way and using research to protect the area from exploitative companies.Contents:Intro: 00:00–01:35Zane’s work at Sumak Kawsay In Situ: 01:35–05:05Turning a fascination with nature into a career: 05:05–08:20The importance of sequencing for conservation: 08:20–12:25Technologies being used to sequence in the field: 12:25–14:15Portable nanopore sequencing with the MinION: 13:15–15:35Exporting samples means exporting opportunity: 15:35–18:40The sequencing workflow: 17:40–24:50Data processing: 24:50–27:45Using these technologies to find undescribed species: 27:45–32:20Fighting biodiversity loss in a more local-centric way: 32:20–34:55Using research to protect the area from exploitation: 34:55–38:50What the future holds: 38:50–43:22 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Talking techniques, one of two recorded at Neuroscience 2022, we speak to Tim Harris (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, VA, USA). Tim is the creator of Neuropixels, neural recording probes inserted into the brains of animal models, which allow researchers to collect signals from hundreds of individual neurons in different brain regions simultaneously over extended periods of time.Here, he shares the story behind his creation and details how they have changed the data collection landscape in Neuroscience. Tim also considers every inventor’s greatest concern: has his invention led to purely positive outcomes for the field? By enabling the collection of huge datasets have Neuropixels led to studies that bury findings in vast swathes of data or have they enabled researchers to collect enough information to discover the emphatic truth?Listen now to find out Tim’s opinions on these contentious debates in neuroscience and get key tips for utilizing neuropixels! Contents:Introduction: 00:00-03:00Tim's symposium on the capabilities of Neuropixels: 03:00-04.00Key takeaways from the symposium: 04:00-07:45The story of the development of neuropixels: 07:45-13:50Best practice tips for utilizing neuropixels: 13:50-15:15Challenges of utilizing neuropixels: 15:15-15:50Addressing the challenge of big data and sharing uncertainty: 15:50-17:30How neuropixels have accelerated neuroscience data generation: 17:30-19:30  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, we speak to two experts from Sino Biological US Inc. (PA, USA) about the latest developments in antibody technologies and how these developments have led to the next generation of antibodies that are revolutionizing therapeutic approaches to a number of diseases.With the guidance of Field Scientist Ritwika Biswas and Technical Account Manager Grace Liu, we explore the challenges of developing and working with next-generation antibodies, the latest developments and applications of these molecules and the holy grail that antibody designers are driving towards.Contents:Introduction: 00:00 – 02:40The history of monoclonal antibody therapeutics: 02:40 – 04:40The working principles of multi-specific antibodies: 04:40 – 08:15Recent developments in ADCs: 08:15 – 11:35Challenges with the development of multi-specific antibodies and ADCs: 11:35 – 13:55Solutions to address these challenges: 13:55 – 16:25Clinical applications of multi-specific antibodies and ADCs: 16:25 – 20:30The dream of real-time adaptability for the next generation of antibody therapeutics: 20:30 – 24:52 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Talking Techniques podcast, we explore microbiomes and the techniques used to profile them. Get an overview of the different techniques’ working principles, their pros and cons and the different applications that they are best suited to.Providing an expert insight into this field is Annabelle Damerum, Microbiome R&D Scientist at Zymo Research. Annabelle reveals some key tips best practice when profiling the microbiome and details the importance of an emerging aspect of the field: the vaginal microbiome.Contents: Into: 00:00-01:50Why it is important to profile microbiomes. 01:50-04:15Key applications of microbiome profiling: 04:15-06:10Techniques used to profile the microbiome and their working principles: 06:10-09:20Targeted sequencing: 06:10-08:00Shotgun metagenomics: 08:00-09:00Metatranscriptomics: 09:00-9:15The strengths and limitations of these techniques: 09:12-             Targeted sequencing: 09:20-10.15Shotgun metagenomics: 10:15-11:25Metatranscriptomics: 11:25-11:50Matching techniques with applications: 11:50-13:30Tips for best practice for using these techniques: 13:30-16:25What is one thing you would ask for to improve the ability of microbiome profiling techniques: 16:55-18:10Investigating the vaginal microbiome: 18:10-20:55Conclusions and closing: 20:55-22:10  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Talking Techniques, brought to you from the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum (FENS; 9th–13th July 2022), an expert panel discuss their research into the relationship between the gut–brain axis and addiction.The panel features Benjamin Boutrel (Lausanne University Hospital; Switzerland), Lorenzo Leggio (NIH Intramural Research Program; MD, USA) and Nathalie Delzenne (University of Louvain; Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium), who discuss their current research into the role of the microbiota in alcohol addiction, if this work could be translated into the clinic, and if similar processes are at play in other addictions, such as food and cocaine. The discussion also features an audience Q&A, which explores the microbial relationship between mother and fetus, and social factors in addiction.Contents:Introduction: 00:00–01:35Introduction to panelists: 01:35–03:40Techniques being used to investigate the relationship between the gut and addiction: 03:40–06:55Translating this research to the clinic: 06:55–11:40Parallels between alcohol addiction and other addictions, such as food, cocaine and tobacco: 11:40–17:05Microorganisms as drivers of behavior: 17:05–18:30The hot topic of gut health: 18:30–20:30Future directions for the research, including microbiota transfers, precision medicine and avoiding alcohol dependence: 20:30–24:35Audience Q&A – microbial elements between mother and fetus, and social factors in addiction: 24:35–29:15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, supported by BrandTech, returning guest Rob Vries, CEO of HUB organoids (Utrecht, The Netherlands), fills us in on the advancement of 3D cell cultures and organoids over the last 2 years, starting off by documenting how the pandemic impacted their development and uptake.We also discuss how the recent FDA Modernization Act, removing the requirement for drug candidates to be tested on animals, has impacted the drive for improved models, the key techniques available to analyze them and what still needs to change for 3D cell cultures to fully replace animal models in the lab.Listen today to find out which resources can help you begin to work with 3D cell cultures, their most exciting recent applications and how issues of reproducibility are currently being addressed in the field.Contents:Intro: 00:00-00:50How COVID-19 impacted the uptake and development of 3D cell cultures: 00:50-02:05Key developments in 3D cell culture technology in the last 2 years: 02:05-03:00Intestinal organoids and the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome: 03:00-5:50Evaluating assembloids: 05:50-08:35Complexity vs clinical relevance: 08:35-10:45The impact of 3D cell cultures in precision medicine in cancer: 10:45-12:40The impact of the FDA’s Modernization Act on 3D cell culture uptake: 12:40-14:45What needs to improve in organoid technologies to fully replace animal models? 14:45-16:10Changing inbuilt reliance on animal models: 16:10-18:30Key techniques to analyze organoids: 18:30-19:50Developments in imaging technology that have improved the analysis of organoids: 19:50-21:15Current challenges in 3D cell culture implementation and reproducibility: 21:15-24:15Improving access to 3D cell cultures: 24:15-25:55Resources to help people implement organoids into their work: 25:55-27:15Searching for the holy grail in 3D cell cultures: 27:15-28:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Techniques, supported by Bio-Rad, we discuss a key component of many gene therapies: recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) and their production. These viruses act as efficient, accurate delivery vesicles for the gene therapy’s plasmid.Speaking to Associate Director of Biopharma Product Marketing at Bio-Rad Laboratories, Mark White, we take a look at the different expression systems used for their production and compare their advantages, before looking at some of the challenges involved in the production rAAVs, such as host-cell contamination.Discover the tools that can help minimize host-cell contamination and differentiate between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive contaminant DNA and find out about some of the most exciting developments in rAAV technologies. Contents:The role of rAAVs in gene therapies: 00:40-02:15The production of rAAVs and gene therapies: 02:15-03:30Why are HEK cells so popular for cell therapy production? 03:30-05:45HEK vs SF9 Insect cell expression systems: 05:45-06:45Challenges in cell therapy expression systems: 06:45-08:05Host DNA contamination: 08:05-10:30The risks of host DNA contamination: 10:30-12:45Key techniques to minimize host DNA contamination: 12:45-14:40The advantages of ddPCR in gene therapy production: 14:40-17:50Distinguishing between nuclease resistant and nuclease reactive host cell DNA: 17:50-19:10The most exciting developments in rAAV technology: 19:10-20:20What is one thing you would ask for to improve rAAV and gene therapy development 20:20-26:38 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In many regions of the world, HPV and its association with cervical cancer is a well-known but rarely considered issue, after the rollout of the HPV vaccine in the late 2000s. However, while this rollout significantly impacted cervical cancer rates where it was implemented, it was not universal and in many areas of the world HPV-induced cervical cancer remains a critical issue.Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death for people with a cervix living in poverty in low-resource regions and on the continent of Africa, it is estimated that in 2020 as many people with a cervix died of cervical cancer as COVID-19.In this episode of Talking techniques, supported by Oxford Nanopore, Senior Investigator Michael Dean and Post-baccalaureate Fellow Nicole Rossi, from the NIH’s National Cancer Institute (MD, USA), discuss their research into the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Expounding on the points mentioned above, they reveal the tremendous insights into cancer and immunology still to be gained, document the key tools used in their studies and explain how their work can be translated into more effective immunotherapies and treatments for cervical cancer.ContentsIntroduction: 00:00-01:40How big an issue does HPV present to the world? 01:40-03:30HPV’s association with cancer: 03:30-05:15Why does HPV target DNA repair mechanisms? 05:15-06:00Key goals of research into HPV: 06:00-07:15Challenges of HPV research: 07:15- 08:20Solutions available to deal with these challenges: 08:20-09:30The most exciting discoveries in HPV using long-read sequencing: 09:30-11:00HPV16- the most oncogenic variant: 11:00-11:40Translating research into clinical results for HPV: 11:40-12:45How effective is the current HPV vaccine? 12:45-13:30What would you ask for to improve research into HPV and cancer? 13:30-14:30How big an issue is vaccine rejection? 14:30-15:40Final thoughts: 15:40-17:00 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) published "The Lifecycle of an AI System in Healthcare", a whitepaper defining what healthcare is and provides guidelines on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in this setting.In this episode of Talking Techniques, we speak with Oscar Rodriguez, a board member at AAIH and one of the authors of this whitepaper, to find out more about what the lifecycle of AI is, the importance of having guidelines when applying AI or ML in healthcare and what the future holds for this type of computer modeling. Contents:Intro: 00:00 - 00:45What are some of the ways that AI is used in healthcare? 00:45 - 5:04What are the current limitations of using AI in healthcare settings? 5:04 - 9:28The lifecycle of an AI system: 9:28 - 14:04How did you develop these guidelines for AI in healthcare? 14:04 - 17:28Summary of the guidelines from the white paper: 17:28 - 19:09Do you think some of these guidelines could be applicable to AI outside of healthcare? 19:09 - 19:53Why is it important to have guidelines like these for AI and machine learning in healthcare? 19:53 - 22:11Why did you decide to focus on COVID-19 case studies? 22:11 - 23:05How do you think the pandemic has changed the way AI is used in healthcare? 23:05 - 26:26What's next for AI? 26:26 - 30:03 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.