
Show Notes
How do you get hold of the viruses and, with their help, cure some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity?
In this episode, David Schaffer, Professor of Chemical and Bioengineering, and Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, who was the first scientist to apply the directed evolution to engineer viruses for gene therapy, will share with us some of the most exciting parts of his academic journey in chemical and biomolecular engineering!
What is the process of directed evolution and how did it advance the field of gene therapy?
Were there any unexpected findings at David Schaffer’s Laboratory that led to groundbreaking discoveries?
How did the experience in founding and leading biotech companies affect his approach to academic research?
In this episode, discover the answers to these questions and get more insights into David Schaffer’s academic life!
Hosts and writers: Alisa Ovsiannikova, Misha Bagirov
Editors: Alisa Ovsiannikova, Misha Bagirov
Promotion: Amaliya Bagdasaryan
Coordinator: Alisa Ovsiannikova
More from Biomed Unleashed
What does it take to guide scientific research and higher education at one of the world's best young universities?
What does it take to build one of Europe’s leading research institutes in Regenerative Medicine? In this inspiring conversation, we speak with Professor Clemens van Blitterswijk, a pioneer in tissue engineering and founder of the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The conversation touches on many turning points: building companies during crises, navigating the choice between academia and business, and leading a remarkable transfer of sixteen colleagues to establish a new research institute. Clemens reflects on the right time to commercialize discoveries and how coincidental findings can lead to breakthroughs in top journals. He shares insights on helping startups through RegMed XB and the delicate art of knowing when to push forward and when to stop. We also discussed why art and science are more closely related than we think. From biomaterials that grow bone to Clemens’ vision for high-throughput technologies, this interview reveals a scientist-entrepreneur who has not only advanced regenerative medicine but also built bridges between universities, startups, and patients – pushing regenerative medicine field forward.
What does it take to lead the future of regenerative medicine? Professor Martijn van Griensven shared the experiences that have shaped his journey from his early days as Germany’s youngest professor to his current work as a leading mind in biomedical research and head of the cBITE department at the MERLN Institute. We explored how bones heal, and why sometimes they don’t, and what role the immune system plays when regeneration breaks down. We dove into the molecular world of RNA therapies and their potential to modulate immune responses and help tissues rebuild themselves. We talked about the practical challenges of bringing these therapies into the clinic, the role of AI in tailoring treatments to each patient, and what the future might hold. For Professor van Griensven, it’s not just about molecules and machines, it’s about curiosity, perseverance, and asking the right questions.
How do you commercialize regenerative medicine, and why is it so challenging? What does it take to build a successful biotech startup? And are revolutionary regenerative medicine solutions closer than we think?
What is personalised medicine and how it revolutionizes our understanding of classic medical approaches?