Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar

Latest Episodes:

S6E04: The Power of Digital Twins Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

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

S6E03: New Frontiers in Cancer Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

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

S6E02: AI and the Quest for New Antibiotics May 14, 2025

Show notes

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

S6E01: Digging Deeper into Obesity Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

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

Season Six Teaser Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

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

S5E09: AI and The Future of Medicine Nov 17, 2024

Show notes

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

S5E08: A Deep Dive into Drug Modalities Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

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

S5E07: Organoids: From Dish to Discovery Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

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

S5E06: Cancer Conversations: Early Detection and Potent Solutions Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

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

S5E05: The Streets and Deets of Obesity Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

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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