Sounds of Science

How do researchers keep our dirt clean? How can earthworms, duckweed, birds and bees help us ensure environmental safety? Find out now by listening in with our experts from Charles River's Hungarian site - Szabolcs Gáty and David Esdaile.

For this exciting conversation, I am joined by NanoPalm CEO and co-founder Dr. Ali Alhasan and by Charles River Executive Director Ramin Baghirzade, who joins us to talk about Charles River’s incubator program for startups like NanoPalm. Alhasan and his co-founder, Dr. Samar Alsudir, began NanoPalm to help reach rare disease patients who could benefit from advanced gene therapies. NanoPalm is the first company to conduct a gene therapy clinical trial in Saudi Arabia, with plans for many more treatments in the works. Listen now to learn about the trial, Charles River’s incubator program, and about the current state of biotech startup in Saudi Arabia.

What if a mouse could help shape the future of cancer treatment? In this episode of Sounds of Science, host Mary Parker speaks with Julia Schüler, DVM, PhD, Research Director and Therapeutic Area Lead for Oncology at Charles River. Julia shares how patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models—often described as “avatars” of human tumors—are transforming preclinical oncology research. From preserving tumor heterogeneity to improving translational relevance, PDX models are accelerating the discovery of more effective, personalized therapies. Tune in as we explore how these advanced models are driving innovation across the drug development pipeline—from target discovery to clinical trial design.Show NotesPDX Tumor Organoids : A New Tool in Drug Discovery Testing Realm Organoids: Some Assembly Required Patient-Derived Xenografts- PDX Models 3D Tumor Models In Vitro PDX Assays 

Join me, Charles River’s Miriam Guest, and independent consultant Vanessa Figueroa as we tackle the role of a microbiologist in drug manufacturing. Who is keeping patients safe from contamination, and how are they making sure our life saving drugs are not contaminated? How is manufacturing like yoga? Find out by listening now!

What happens when cutting-edge science meets compassion? In this episode of Sounds of Science, host Mary Parker sits down with two pioneers reshaping the future of research: Elizabeth Nunamaker, Executive Director of Global Animal Welfare and Training at Charles River, and Dr. Megan LaFollette, Executive Director of the 3Rs Collaborative. From digital biomarkers to environmental health monitoring, they reveal how innovation and collaboration are redefining what’s possible in animal welfare — and raising the bar for ethical, high-quality research. Tune in to explore the tools, strategies, and bold ideas driving meaningful change across the scientific community.Show NotesAdvancing Alternatives | Charles RiverEvolving Animal Welfare: Science, Ethics, and Innovation | Sounds of Science Can You Practice High-quality Science and 3Rs? | Eureka BlogAnimals in Research | Charles RiverResearch Models & Services | Charles River

Join Charles River experts Sandy Kimber, Charlotte Cumper, and Claire Richards from our Portishead site for a discussion on what makes some viruses more contagious than others, how viruses can trick your immune system, and how vaccines can affect viral spread.

When Luke Rosen's daughter was diagnosed with KIF1A—a rare, progressive neurological disorder—he didn't wait for answers. He and his wife built a community, launched a nonprofit, and became a driving force in rare disease research. In this episode, Luke shares how patient-led science accelerates treatments and reshapes what’s possible for families like his. Show Notes  Sounds of Science - N=1 Episode Charles River | Rare Disease Charles River | Rare Disease for Drug Discovery Charles River | ASO Screening Services Personalized ASO Provides Improvement for a Girl with KAND< an Ultra-rare Disease SCA3: A Family Affair Susannah's Superhero Story 

Are we on the brink of a major shift in research? In this episode of Sounds of Science, Charles River experts challenge traditional approaches, exploring cutting-edge innovations that enhance animal welfare while driving scientific breakthroughs.   From revolutionary non-animal testing methods to advanced behavioral management strategies, we uncover how ethical care leads to better data and faster drug discovery. Tune in to discover how science, compassion, and innovation are shaping the next era of drug development.Show Notes Animals in Research | 3Rs Alternative Methods Advancement Project CHARTER Program for Lab Animal Welfare Advancing Responsible Science 

Did you know that the first attempt at a cancer vaccine was all the way back in the 1800s? I am joined by Charles River experts Louise Brackenbury, Dan Rocca, and Mike Templin to discuss the fascinating science behind therapeutic cancer vaccines.Clarification: Coley’s Toxin is not a vaccine in the traditional sense, but a compound developed by William Coley in the 19th century as a treatment for cancer, and is considered a precursor to modern cancer immunotherapy.

Spheroids are three dimensional cell models that can mimic some organs, tumors, and other biological systems for drug testing. Like organoids and organs-on-a-chip, spheroids are breaking in to drug development as a promising alternative to animal models. I am joined by Madhu Lal Nag, MBS PhD from the 3D in vitro model company InSphero, to discuss the development and future potential of these tiny cellular machines.

The agrochemical field has long relied on animal models to evaluate the safety and efficacy of substances, but there’s a growing demand to adopt new alternative methods (NAMs) that can further the industry while reducing the need for animal testing. However, questions remain as to their long-term viability.   Join Robert Landsiedel, Vice President of Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, and Susanne Kolle, Research Coordinator of Experimental Toxicology and Ecology at BASF, as they explain the benefits of NAMs, how they comply with the 3Rs principle, and the role collaboration is playing to push NAMs as a viable alternative to animals.Show Notes     Alternative Methods  AMAP Strategic Partnerships Animals in Research  Modernizing Drug Development Agrochemical Testing Service for Approvals Chemical Testing Services Charles River Laboratories Announces Development of Nonclinical Virtual Control Groups with Sanofi to Reduce the Use of Animals Charles River Laboratories, in Collaboration with MatTek Corporation, Awarded Grant from the Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives to Advance Research Alternatives

How can genetic, geographic, and social considerations effect outcomes for Black women with cancer? To answer this question, I am joined this week by Dr. Lauren E. McCullough, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health, and Julia Schueler, Research Director Therapeutic Area Lead Oncology for Charles River. Dr. McCullough is also one of the lead researchers for the American Cancer Society’s VOICES of Black Women initiative, which will track the health of participants over several years to gain insight into health considerations for Black women. For more information on how to enroll, please visit voices.cancer.org.

The N=1 Collaborative is changing the way we view drug development. Their specialty is creating customized therapies tailored to individual patients, paving the way for a unique approach that can leave long-lasting impacts on those with ultra-rare diseases.   Join us as Executive Director Hugh Hempel discusses the origins of N=1, the collaborative effort it takes to advance customized therapies down the pipeline, and what the future holds for the field of individualized medicine.Show Notes    n=1 Collaborative Rare Disease | Charles River Rare Disease Research for Drug Development Repurposing Drugs for Rare Disease S4 E07: Free For Life: The Story of N-Lorem Foundation 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are launching a new era in drug development. By integrating these technologies, researchers can get their life-saving therapies to patients faster thanks to more accurate data and efficient processes.   Join us as Brian Roche, General Manager of Charles River’s integrated toxicology site in Kansas, as he discusses the advantages of using these advanced technologies, how their being leveraged across multiple platforms, and what role they play in shaping the future.Show NotesNew Integrated Toxicology Site Kansas Site Unlocking the Promise of Integrated Toxicology: A Tour Through the Lab of the Future Meeting at the Intersection of Technology and Scientific Innovation 

David and Karen Kahn were overjoyed when they welcomed twins Amelia and Makenzie in 2010. However, it wasn't long before they realized their girls were different. Since getting their Batten disease diagnosis, they have worked tirelessly to find a treatment not only for their girls, but for kids around the world, with the help of researcher Dr. Michelle Hastings. Listen to their story now, and learn more about their mission at www.forebatten.org.

As researchers look for ways to reduce the need for animals in their studies, new alternative methods (NAMs) are an intriguing route to capture crucial safety data and help advance drug discovery and development – specifically, virtual control groups (VCGs).   Join Steve Bulera, CVP and Chief Scientific Officer for Safety Assessment and Toxicology at Charles River, as he discusses how VCGs can be a viable alternative to research models, what it would take for the industry to widely accept NAMs, and how they can revolutionize research for the future.Show NotesVirtual Control Groups  Sounds of Science E73: Virtual Control Groups Modernizing Drug Development with Virtual Control Groups Virtual Control Groups: A Data-Driven Novel Method Revolutionizing the Future of Safety Studies Charles River Laboratories Announces Development of Nonclinical Virtual Control Groups with Sanofi to Reduce the Use of Animals 

Dr. Jared Baeten, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Virology Therapeutic Area Head at Gilead Sciences, joins me to discuss the incredible advancements in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatments in honor of World AIDS Day. What if a twice yearly shot could replace a daily pill? Listen now to learn more!

As researchers continue to look for new ways to test therapeutics in vitro, the field of biomedical engineering is offering new microphysiological systems that can reduce the need for animal models. Hear from Jeffrey Borenstein, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Centre at Draper, as he explains how it works, ways to expedite its access, and the benefits they will ultimately bring to patients. Show Notes    The Coming of Age of Organ-on-a-Chip technology Sounds of Science E76: Multi-Organ Chip Systems Charles River Joins Consortium to Advance Organ-on-a-Chip Technology Bold New Approached: The Future of Organoid Intelligence Organoids Evolve from Academic Marvel to Industrial Tool 

I am joined by Raphael (Ralph) Malbrue, Director & Attending Veterinarian, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Virginia; and Christina (Winnie) Winnicker, Executive Director for Laboratory Animal Medicine for Charles River. Both bring a fresh perspective to the questions of how to improve diversity in veterinary medicine, how to inform new graduates of previously unconsidered career paths in lab animal medicine, and what kind of specialties are in demand in the industry now. 

Piotr Kosla, founder of the PACS2 Research Foundation, joins us to discuss his personal motivation to develop the first treatment for Development and Epileptic Encephalopathy 66 (PACS2 Syndrome), how cell painting assays are being used to repurpose a treatment for this condition, what the future holds for research in this area, and how you can help contribute to his mission.Show NotesPACS2 Research Foundation Eureka Blog | Drug Repurposing Through Cell Painting Could Treat Rare Disease ASO Screening ServicesGene Therapy Services Art of Science: Cell Painting Free for Life: The Story of n-Lorem Foundation