Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar

Episódios

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  S7E05: AI in Oncology 12.08.2026 27min

  How can artificial intelligence help our scientists find the hidden patterns in cancer's complex biology? In this episode, host Danielle Mandikian is joined by Anwesha Dey, Distinguished Scientist and Executive Director of AI - Oncology and Cancer Biology, to talk about the new reality of the oncology lab. They explore how teaming up with artificial intelligence allows researchers to challenge long-held assumptions, generate bold hypotheses and design novel molecules at speed. Join us to hear how working alongside AI is accelerating the path to new cancer therapies. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/ai-in-oncology
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  S7E04: Lab of the Future 15.07.2026 39min

  Are we on the cusp of a new era in scientific research? This episode delves into the transformative potential of the "lab of the future." Host Danielle Mandikian and guests Margaret Porter Scott, VP, Biochemical Cellular Pharmacology, and Andy Lash, Head of Engineering, Lab Automation, discuss how AI and automation are set to tackle major bottlenecks in science, from fragmented systems to the physical and time-intensive toll of repetitive lab work. Discover how these advancements will lower the activation energy for groundbreaking research and empower scientists to better tackle some of humanity’s most pressing medical needs. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/lab-of-the-future
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  S7E03: The ABCs of IBD 27.05.2026 38min

  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating, lifelong condition that changes how people plan their entire lives. In this episode, KT Park, Global Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Seppi Lin, Head of OMNI Early Clinical Development, explore the complex biology behind IBD. They discuss the role of genetics, the gut microbiome, and an individual’s environment, as well as the exciting future of "immune reset" therapies that could offer hope for people with IBD. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-abcs-of-ibd
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  S7E02: Breakthroughs in MS 15.04.2026 39min

  Breakthroughs in the last decade have transformed how we understand and treat multiple sclerosis (MS), but what will it take to stop the disease in its tracks? Pull up a stool with co-host Maria Wilson and our guest Sherman Jia, Group Medical Director, gRED Translational Medicine, for a discussion on the breakthrough research into B cells that has made a "night and day" difference for people living with the disease. In this episode, they tackle the next frontiers in MS research: from the surprising link between the Epstein-Barr virus and MS, to the ambitious goal of repairing the brain’s myelin, and the potential of “immune reset” therapies, including work in cell therapies, that could offer lasting remission. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/breakthroughs-in-ms
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  S7E01: The Wild World of Eyeballs 17.03.2026 36min

  We’re kicking off season seven with an in-depth look at the wild world of ophthalmology, where scientists are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for vision treatments. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian is joined by guests Deepak Lamba, Director and Distinguished Scientist, Ophthalmology, and Susie Crowell, Senior Director, Project Team Leader, to explore the latest in the field of ophthalmology since our season five episode on eye diseases. Together, they dive into the bizarre biology of how our eyes actually work, unpack how and why eye diseases develop, and discuss how transformative new therapies could one day restore sight. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-wild-world-of-eyeballs
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  Season Seven Teaser 04.03.2026 3min

  Your favorite science podcast is back! To kick off season seven of Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar, hosts Maria Wilson and Danielle Mandikian sit down to celebrate a decade of the podcast and look back at our previous season on unmet medical needs. But what’s next? Get ready for a season that’s going bigger than ever before. To mark the 50th anniversary of Genentech, Maria and Danielle will draw a thread from the seminal breakthroughs of the last 50 years in biotechnology to the incredible innovations that will shape the next decade and beyond. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/season-seven-teaser
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  S6E07: Foundation Models and Agents 10.12.2025 45min

  In our season six finale, we dive deeper into how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of drug discovery and scientific research. With remarkable scale and speed, AI models parse through complex datasets and confirm or generate hypotheses, which can help scientists accelerate R&D. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian welcomes Aviv Regev, Head of gRED, and Jure Leskovec, Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, to talk about foundation models and autonomous agents. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges of applying AI in drug discovery, including balancing innovation with scientific rigor and the evolving role of scientists. They also discuss how AI is reshaping the future of research — from building more biologically meaningful models to advancing agent-based systems and lab automation. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/foundation-models-and-agents
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  S6E06: Decoding Lung Disease 22.10.2025 39min

  From our first breath, the air we breathe and our genes shape how our lungs function. It’s a complex interplay we began exploring in our season four episode “Take A Deep Breath: Treating Asthma.” Today, we’re branching out to discuss lung biology and the diseases that make it difficult to breathe. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson speaks with Dorothy Cheung, Executive Group Medical Director, and Daniel Lafkas, Senior Principal Scientist, Translational Discovery Research, Roche, to understand how conditions with unmet need like chronic bronchitis and emphysema disrupt lung function. They discuss the challenges to treating lung diseases and explore promising approaches, from cutting-edge imaging technologies that help researchers uncover early drivers of disease, to treatments aimed at stopping the loss of lung function and restoring it. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/decoding-lung-disease
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  S6E05: Cells at Work 10.09.2025 40min

  Cell therapy holds immense potential to transform the way we treat conditions in oncology, ophthalmology, autoimmune disorders, and a wide range of other therapeutic areas. But how do these engineered cells work, and how do scientists ensure they are safe and function as intended? In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with Todd McDevitt, Head of Cell Therapy, to discuss how cell therapies operate within the body, the challenges researchers face in this field, and the advancements needed to unlock their full potential for patients. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/cells-at-work
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  S6E04: The Power of Digital Twins 16.07.2025 37min

  Digital twins are virtual models of real-world systems that have been gaining momentum as a powerful tool in drug discovery and development. We touched on this concept last season when we covered computational advancements in drug discovery. Now, we’re taking a deeper dive into the power of digital twins. By leveraging genomics, physical health data, lab results, and other clinical datasets, digital twins allow researchers to model certain diseases, help predict treatment outcomes, and more efficiently optimize dosing strategies for clinical studies. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson is joined by Iraj Hosseini, Distinguished Scientist and Director, gRED Development Sciences, to explore how digital twins could simulate thousands of "what if" scenarios, paving the way for faster and more patient-centric therapeutic strategies. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-power-of-digital-twins
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  S6E03: New Frontiers in Cancer 18.06.2025 36min

  Each season we discuss new, exciting breakthroughs in cancer research. With evolving technologies enhancing how we understand and target the underlying drivers of cancer, the journey to developing more effective and safer therapies is advancing rapidly. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian speaks with first-time guest Jennifer Schutzman, Executive Group Medical Director, Early Clinical Development, and returning guest Fred de Sauvage, Vice President of Research Oncology, about the innovative approaches scientists are taking to redefine cancer care. They discuss the promise of earlier detection and intervention, patient-centered treatment strategies, persistent challenges in the field, and how scientists are working to close the gap on unmet needs in cancer care. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/new-frontiers-in-cancer
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  S6E02: AI and the Quest for New Antibiotics 14.05.2025 36min

  We published our first episode on the threat of antibiotic resistance in 2016, and nearly a decade later, it remains one of the world’s most pressing health crises. Today, with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the race to develop new antibiotics is evolving. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with guests Tommaso Biancalani, Distinguished Scientist and Director of Biological Research and AI Development, and Steven Rutherford, Senior Principal Scientist and Director of Infectious Diseases in Research Biology, to share the latest in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Together, they discuss the challenges of antibiotic discovery and development, and how AI could streamline the process of identifying novel antibiotics within the vast, uncharted chemical universe. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/ai-and-the-quest-for-new-antibiotics
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  S6E01: Digging Deeper into Obesity 09.04.2025 39min

  As we kick off season six, we’re diving deeper into one of our most popular topics from last season – our evolving understanding of obesity. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson unpacks the latest in obesity biology and management with Manu Chakravarthy, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Product Development, who discusses the stigma associated with obesity and how thousands of years of human evolution contribute to this chronic condition. While lifestyle, diet and exercise modifications are still essential in addressing the biological factors that drive obesity, they explore how emerging treatments have the potential to rewire the brain’s hunger and satiety signals – offering a more personalized, sustainable approach. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/digging-deeper-into-obesity
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  Season Six Teaser 26.03.2025 2min

  Join Danielle Mandikian and Maria Wilson as they kick off season six of Two Scientists Walk Into A Bar. Hear what they’ve been up to in the past few months and enjoy a sneak preview of the exciting topics ahead. This season, we’re focusing on unmet needs and will dive deeper into lung diseases, regenerative medicine, and cell therapies. We’ll also check in on the latest advances in obesity, antibiotic resistance, and AI in drug discovery. We've got an impressive lineup of brilliant guests that you won’t want to miss! Subscribe today to get notified about our latest episodes. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/season-six-teaser
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  S5E09: AI and The Future of Medicine 17.11.2024 40min

  Machine learning and generative AI are transforming the ways we live and work, but how do these tools fit into the landscape of drug discovery? In our season 5 finale, co-host Danielle Mandikian is joined by Rich Bonneau, Vice President of Machine Learning, Drug Discovery, to break down the fast-paced, expansive – and sometimes perplexing – world of AI and biology. Together, they discuss the importance of integrating machine learning with traditional lab work, the need for minimizing bias in datasets, and the exciting potential for these technologies to unlock better and more complex medicines. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/ai-and-the-future-of-medicine
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  S5E08: A Deep Dive into Drug Modalities 30.10.2024 31min

  Small molecules, antibodies, gene therapies – there are so many types of medicines scientists can consider when developing a new treatment for a disease. In this episode, Karin Briner, Senior Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery, joins co-host Maria Wilson to break down different therapeutic modalities, or types of treatments. Together, they cover a wide range of modalities in our drug development toolbox – including RNA-based therapies, large molecules, cell therapies, and newer small molecule approaches like protein degraders – highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by each while also providing a look ahead to innovations that could lead to more effective treatments for a range of diseases. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/a-deep-dive-into-drug-modalities
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  S5E07: Organoids: From Dish to Discovery 25.09.2024 39min

  Did you know that scientists can grow three-dimensional, miniature versions of human organs in a dish? These tiny in vitro models, known as organoids, are helping scientists to better understand human disease and to test new treatments. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian sits down with Kim Homan, Senior Director and Distinguished Scientist, Complex in vitro Systems Lab, to discuss the fascinating world of organoids and organ-on-chip technologies. They delve into how these systems are transforming drug development, where AI and ML come into play, and how organoid models could lead to more accurate predictions, better clinical studies, and improved patient outcomes. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/organoids-from-dish-to-discovery
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  S5E06: Cancer Conversations: Early Detection and Potent Solutions 28.08.2024 29min

  To defeat cancer, we need to understand it better. How does it grow? How do we detect it early? And most importantly, how do we treat it? In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson chats with oncology expert Louis Vermeulen, VP and Senior Fellow, Discovery Oncology, about what’s new and exciting in cancer research. Together, they explore the importance of early detection, explain concepts like the tumor microenvironment, discuss cancer treatment approaches, and dive into how tools like artificial intelligence are accelerating research in the oncology space. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/cancer-conversations-early-detection-and-potent-solutions
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  S5E05: The Streets and Deets of Obesity 31.07.2024 38min

  What drives metabolic conditions like obesity? In this special episode, co-host and cardiovascular disease expert Maria Wilson, gRED Executive Director and Cardiovascular and Metabolism Research Head, takes the hot seat with fellow host Danielle Mandikian, gRED Senior Principal Scientist, to discuss the complex world of obesity. Tune in to hear about the biological and environmental factors contributing to this chronic disease, its profound effects on health, societal implications, as well as the latest and upcoming treatment approaches for obesity and related metabolic conditions. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/the-streets-and-deets-of-obesity
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  S5E04: Engineering Therapeutic Antibodies 26.06.2024 29min

  Antibodies are proteins produced by our immune system that neutralize or help destroy abnormal cells and foreign agents, like bacteria and viruses. However, their utility extends beyond our bodies’ defense system. Antibodies can also be engineered in the lab to be used as therapies. Today, over 170 antibodies have been approved as medicines to treat a wide range of diseases including cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and more. In this episode, co-host Maria Wilson chats with guests Yan Wu, VP and Senior Fellow, Antibody Engineering, and Paul Carter, Genentech Fellow, Antibody Engineering, to discuss all things antibodies! Learn about the history of therapeutic antibodies, how advances in antibody engineering are creating new classes of medicines, and the promising role of artificial intelligence in designing antibodies from scratch and optimizing their therapeutic activity. Read the full text transcript at www.gene.com/stories/engineering-therapeutic-antibodies