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 innovat...
Jun 18, 2025•37 min
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 ...
May 14, 2025•36 min
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 lifest...
Apr 09, 2025•39 min
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 y...
Mar 26, 2025•2 min
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 dat...
Nov 17, 2024•41 min
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 mole...
Oct 30, 2024•31 min
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 tr...
Sep 25, 2024•40 min
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 int...
Aug 28, 2024•30 min
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 th...
Jul 31, 2024•38 min
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 gues...
Jun 26, 2024•29 min
Many health conditions require medicines that can be delivered to specific parts of the body. For instance, someone with asthma requires medication that targets the lungs, while someone with a neurodegenerative disease needs therapeutics that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. But how do scientists create medicines that not only reach their intended targets but also produce the desired pharmacological effect while minimizing side effects and ensuring convenience for the patient? In this epis...
May 29, 2024•35 min
Imagine the eyes as cameras, where the cornea acts as the lens and the retina as the film. As with a camera, if something goes wrong in the eye, it needs to be fixed to address the specific problem and restore function. While some visual impairments can be corrected with glasses or surgery, some conditions require medicines – like those that slow or stop blood vessel growth in the eye. In this episode, co-host Danielle Mandikian joins guests Chris Brittain, Vice President and Global Head of Opht...
Apr 30, 2024•37 min
Computational approaches have revolutionized how we interpret data. With the advent of genomic sequencing, scientists can derive significant conclusions from sequence data. For example, through transcriptomics – the study of genes and their expression in different cells – researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries in fields like developmental and disease biology. More recently, computational approaches have expanded with the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its a...
Mar 25, 2024•37 min
Join Danielle Mandikian and Maria Wilson as they kick off season five of Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar. Hear about their recent lab adventures and enjoy a sneak preview of exciting topics for our new season. From demystifying the impact of AI and machine learning in drug development to exploring diverse modalities for treating diseases, we've got an exciting lineup in store. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode! Read the full text transcript at: www.gene.com/stories/season-five-teaser
Feb 07, 2024•5 min
When we consider how a vaccine works, we typically think about vaccines that prevent infectious disease like flu or measles. But another type, known as therapeutic vaccines, may be able to treat diseases even after they’ve taken hold in the body – including cancer and viral infections. Similar to preventative vaccines, these therapeutic cancer vaccines work by promoting an immune response. Cancer vaccines are an emerging approach that have the potential to train the immune system to better seek ...
Dec 06, 2022•45 min
Because disease outcomes and responses to treatment can vary across populations, clinical research must include patients who are racially, ethnically and gender representative of those who experience health conditions. Scientists are pioneering new ways of achieving inclusive and diverse clinical trials to generate clear results and reveal insights when evaluating new medicines. Co-host Maria Wilson sits down with Nicole Richie, Global Head of Health Equity and Population Science, and Jenn Pangi...
Aug 16, 2022•39 min
Achieving the first complete sequence of a human genome via the Human Genome Project represents an incredible feat – but it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unlocking the power of genomics for drug discovery and development. As the scientific community builds on our understanding of genomics, one of the most critical questions becomes, how can we thoughtfully collect and use genetic data to better understand and support the health of all communities, including those who are underre...
Jul 19, 2022•35 min
Bacteria – and their constant ability to rapidly evolve and adapt – represent a scientific challenge that’s equal parts fascinating and disconcerting. The incredible innovations of the past century have not only prevented and treated infections that would otherwise be lethal, but also helped safeguard patients through critical surgeries and other treatments. However, challenges abound for the scientific community when it comes to discovery and development of new antibiotics. Chief among these is...
May 04, 2022•47 min
Understanding what happens in the brain is notoriously difficult, but scientists have made progress in the past few decades. For Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have expanded their knowledge of where and when certain proteins, cells and biologic processes can contribute to memory loss and the progression of the disease. Co-host Maria Wilson speaks to Jasi Atwal, Senior Scientist, Neuroscience, and Edmond Teng, Senior Medical Director, to discuss the diverse theories and research approaches to Al...
Mar 22, 2022•43 min
Taking a deep breath can seem like a simple process; however, for millions of people with asthma, inflammation of the airways could make it difficult to breathe. While current treatments help manage symptoms, scientists are working to develop new therapies that target the underlying causes of the condition. Co-host Maria Wilson speaks to Jane Kenny, Senior Director and Senior Principal Scientist, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, and Mark Wilson, Principal Scientist, Immunology Discovery, ...
Dec 01, 2021•44 min
Our understanding of what causes multiple sclerosis (MS) has transformed over the last few decades. While discoveries of the cell types involved in MS progression — both immune and brain — have led to major advancements for patients, there is still much to learn. Co-host Danielle Mandikian speaks to Ann Herman, Senior Director and Senior Principal Scientist, OMNI-BD Inflammation and Infectious Disease, and Tracy Yuen, Senior Scientist and Biology Team Lead, Neuroscience, to learn more about ongo...
Sep 15, 2021•34 min
Two Scientists Walk Into A Bar is back for a fourth season with new hosts, Maria Wilson and Danielle Mandikian! Get to know the new hosts and preview this season. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode! Read the full text transcript at https://www.gene.com/stories/meet-the-hosts-of-season-four?topic=two-scientists-walk-into-a-bar
Jul 13, 2021•8 min
Cells are the basic unit of life, with a remarkable ability to sense their environment, process information and adapt accordingly. With 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, there remains plenty for scientists to discover about how this symphony of cells is organized and works together. In this special episode, producer Wellington Bowler chats with Aviv Regev, Executive Vice President, Genentech Research and Early Development, to discuss her vision for the roles that single cell genomics and co...
Jan 26, 2021•36 min
The biological mysteries of age-related diseases have intrigued scientists for decades. In recent years, our expansive knowledge of genetics, thanks to the humble fruit fly, has opened our eyes to the mechanisms underlying these conditions. Now scientists are hoping to apply this knowledge to use the body’s own biological systems to delay the onset of disease or engage repair mechanisms once a disease has arisen. Jane speaks to Heinrich Jasper, Staff Scientist, Immunology Discovery, to learn mor...
Jan 24, 2020•41 min
In Season 1, we talked about using biomarkers and big data to match patients with the best treatment for their disease. In this episode, Jane sits down with David Shames, Senior Director of Cancer Immunotherapy Biomarkers and Staff Scientist in Oncology Biomarker Development, and Mark Lee, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Personalized Healthcare in Product Development, to discuss how a variety of big data approaches can be used to advance knowledge in real-time and aid in delivering more...
Dec 13, 2019•39 min
Our eyes are our windows to the world, but what happens when those windows start to fade or disappear? To understand how the eye works, scientists are combining developments in imaging and genetics to see into the eye and better understand why a disease occurs or whether a treatment is working. Hear from our host Jane Grogan and Menno van Lookeren Campagne, Principal Scientist, Immunology, and get a glimpse into how researchers are combining genetics, imaging and natural history data to better p...
Aug 09, 2019•33 min
It’s easy to think of cancer as an invader to the body. But in reality, it’s simply the result of a few proofreading errors in DNA replication that occur over time when cells divide. In Episode 3, Jane Grogan chats with Fred de Sauvage, Vice President and Staff Scientist, Molecular Oncology, about how just a handful of mutations can make normal cells go rogue, and how the field is finding new ways to stop the growth of cancer in its tracks.
Mar 12, 2019•33 min
Last episode, Jane and colleagues unraveled the intricacies of the human microbiome. This week, Jane chats with Mary Keir, Senior Scientist, Biomarker Discovery OMNI, to learn what happens during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), what causes it, and how targeting dysfunction in our immune system, the gut epithelial barrier and our microbiome could reduce inflammation in the gut.
Feb 06, 2019•35 min
Our bodies are full of bacteria - pounds of them actually. We’re kicking off Season 3 with a closer look at the human microbiome and what happens when the synergistic relationship between our cells and our bacteria goes awry. Jane Grogan talks about the latest discoveries in microbiome research with Allyson Byrd, Associate Scientist, Cancer Immunology, Bioinformatics.
Jan 04, 2019•31 min
Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar is back for a third season with host Jane Grogan chatting with scientists who are leading the charge to understand complex diseases. This season will tackle a range of new topics, including a deep dive into the human microbiome, the latest in multiple sclerosis, asthma and aging, and how Big Data is redefining personalized healthcare. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!
Jan 02, 2019•3 min
