In this episode of the Back of the Napkin, we dive into the world of fluorescence imaging with Luke Lavis. Known for his pioneering work at the Janelia Research Campus, Luke shares his unique journey from the woods of Oregon to the chemistry lab. Luke’s story illustrates how diverse experiences can lead to groundbreaking scientific achievements.

Discover how Luke’s work has pushed the boundaries of fluorescence imaging. Notably, his development of Janelia Fluor® dyes has significantly improved live-cell and super-resolution imaging capabilities. This episode reveals the intricate balance between fundamental research, application in drug discovery, and the collaborative culture at Janelia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and interdisciplinary interactions.

- Follow Luke on X: @rhodamine110

- Explore the Janelia Research Campus’s Open Chemistry initiative for pre-commercial compounds: dyes.janelia.org

- Learn more about HHMI and the Janelia Research Campus: HHMI Janelia

- Janelia Fluor(R) dyes for super-resolution microscopy available at Bio-Techne  Janelia Fluor® Dyes for Super Resolution Microscopy | Bio-Techne

- Follow Alex:@MoloneyAlex

In this episode of Back of the Napkin, we dive into the groundbreaking world of exosome research with liquid biomarker pioneer and founder of Exosome Diagnostics, Dr. Johan Skog. The conversation unpacks Johan's inspirational journey from a sports-enthusiast and student in Sweden to an innovator in medical science, illustrating the power of persistence and curiosity in driving scientific discovery.

Exploring the war room of Exosome Diagnostics in Waltham, MA Alex and Johan venture into the backstory of the company's creation and the pivotal discovery of RNA in exosomes — a finding that has opened doors for non-invasive disease diagnostics. The episode progresses to discuss the real-world implications of exosome research, touching upon the company's successful development of a urine-based test, The ExoDx™ Prostate Test (EPI), which aids in the early detection and treatment decision-making for prostate cancer. Johan's articulate explanations shed light on the complexities and potentials of exosomes, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of this exciting scientific frontier.

Exosome Diagnostics Website:https://exosomedx.com/

Follow Alex: @MoloneyAlex

Heart disease claims more lives than any other illness, marking a dire need for viable heart transplants. Yet, the sheer demand for donor hearts outstrips the supply, burdened further by complications such as organ rejection and the continuous need for immunosuppressive drugs post-transplant. Dr. Doris Taylor's pioneering endeavor in engineering bioartificial hearts addresses not just a medical unmet need, but a systemic inequality in transplant accessibility and the encompassing physical, emotional, and financial toll on recipients.

In this inspiring episode of Back of the Napkin, Doris shares her extraordinary journey to becoming a pioneering scientist at the forefront of regenerative medicine.

Doris delves into her personal life, revealing her compelling motivation behind pursuing a career in science. The intersectionality of her life’s experiences has contributed to a more compassionate scientific inquiry, one that resonates deeply with those waiting on the fringes of hope for a life-saving intervention. It is not only the hearts she seeks to build in the lab that embody this sentiment, but also the metaphorical 'building heart' — the cultivation of courage, empathy, and resilience — that she instills in everyone she encounters.

A key part of the conversation focuses on Doris's groundbreaking work in creating the first beating bioartificial heart, which holds the promise of revolutionizing transplant medicine.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Doris Taylor’s work in regenerative medicine has led to the development of the first beating bioartificial heart, a potential game-changer for transplant medicine.
• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and Doris's efforts aim to address the significant unmet need for donor hearts.
• The process of creating a bioartificial heart involves decellularizing a donor heart to create a "ghost heart" scaffold, which is then repopulated with cells tailored to the recipient. Doris's personal challenges, including being an LGBTQ individual in academia and dealing with professional hardships, provide an impactful narrative of perseverance and resilience.
• Organamet Bio, founded by Doris, is aiming to commercialize the technology to manufacture patient-specific bioartificial hearts, which currently estimates a cost of $300 to $500 million to reach the first human trials.

Resources:

• Dr. Doris Taylor's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/doristaylor/
• Organamet Bio website:  https://organametbio.com/

Kevan M. Shokat is Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California Berkeley (UCB), and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). In this episode of Back of the Napkin reveals the pivotal moments and influences that have shaped his career as an academic and an entrepreneur.

The conversation takes us from Kevan's early interest in chemistry, spurred by his childhood experiences in his parents' print shop, to the present day, where his laboratory at UCSF is pushing the boundaries of what was once deemed impossible in targeting key oncogenes. Listeners will discover the compelling story of a scientist whose relentless quest has been to break down fantastical goals into attainable, logical steps. This episode not only captures Kevan's intellectual odyssey but also underscores the power of interdisciplinary thinking and steadfast perseverance in unraveling nature's deepest mysteries.

Follow Kevan: @kevansf

Follow Alex: @MoloneyAlex