Back of the Napkin – Inspiring Stories from Biotech Pioneers

In this episode, we chat with Professor Kathryn (Katie) Whitehead, a renowned chemical engineer and Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. We explore Katie’s path to a career in science, her breakthroughs and innovative ideas in drug delivery, and her dedication to improving science communication.

Professor Kathryn Whitehead discusses the challenges in drug delivery, including in maternal health, an underserved area of research. In 2018 Katie received the NIH Directors New Innovator Award for an idea to use breastmilk cells for infant therapies and has since made some key discoveries towards this goal.

The episode also focuses on discussions on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and their emergence as vehicles for delivering RNA. Katie discusses how their use extends further than for mRNA vaccines and opens promising avenues for the treatment of chronic genetic conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Katie explains the process behind her innovative idea that was awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for a project titled “Fate, Function and Genetic Engineering of Breast Milk Cells for Infant Therapy”.
• Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) are poised to revolutionize drug delivery, showing promise far beyond their role in COVID-19 vaccines.
• Effective science communication, exemplified by Katie’s viral TED talk, is crucial in demystifying complex scientific concepts for the broader public.

Resources

• Professor Kathryn Whitehead’s lab website: Whitehead Lab - Carnegie Mellon (cmu.edu)
• TED Talk by Kathryn A. Whitehead on lipid nanoparticles: Kathryn A. Whitehead: The tiny balls of fat that could revolutionize medicine | TED Talk

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

Laura Kiessling is the Novartis Professor of Chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In this episode of Back of the Napkin, beginning in Laura's art-adorned office at MIT, the conversation explores her journey from a small Wisconsin town to the pinnacles of scientific research and education at MIT.

Laura's professional trajectory is a testament to her passion for science — from her top performance in a university chemistry class to her inspired transfer to MIT following a serendipitous spring break encounter with women doing amazing science in Boston. Her curiosity about the unknown and desire to push boundaries in chemistry led her to explore the intricate world of carbohydrates and their profound impact on diseases such as tuberculosis. 

Laura has advised approximately 100 graduate students and postdoctorates and emphasizes that the essence of scientific progress is distilled not only through individual brilliance but also through the profound impact of community, collaboration, and mentorship. Laura is not only a proponent but a role model for women in science, advocating for equal representation, mentorship, and recognition. Her narrative is punctuated with instances where she challenged the norms and paved the way for others to follow.

Links:

Lessons in Chemistry Book: https://bit.ly/3wCnTGS

Publication - Glycan-costumed virus-like particles promote type 1 anti-tumor immunity: https://bit.ly/49UWxdr

Laura's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChemicalBiology

We are delighted to announce that Season 2 is on the horizon!

As we work to bring you more great conversations, let’s reflect on the most valuable discussions from a stand-out Season 1.

In this episode, we revisit essential topics like ideation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the future of drug discovery.

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive email notifications of new uploads: https://www.bio-techne.com/resources/podcast/biotech-podcast-back-of-the-napkin#subscribenow

Michelle Arkin is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is also a director of the Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), a chemical biology and drug discovery center at UCSF. Michelle has extensive experience in the field of drug discovery and is working on new and complex challenges to demonstrate 'druggability' of new target classes.  Michelle is also the cofounder of Ambagon Therapeutics who are building on the concepts of modulating protein-protein interactions to find new drugs that address unmet needs in cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration and infectious diseases.

- Small Molecule Discovery Center: https://pharm.ucsf.edu/smdc

- Arkin Lab: https://pharm.ucsf.edu/arkin

Neal Devaraj is a Professor and Chair at the University of California San Diego. In this episode, Neal talks about the innovations he has pioneered that are advancing the field of bioorthogonal chemistry. We discuss Neal’s work synthesizing completely artificial cells, designing new tools for labeling RNA, and his contribution to “click chemistry” by developing tetrazine ligation for use in live-cell imaging.

Amy Ripka is the founder and CEO of Lucy Therapeutics. This back of the napkin conversation focuses on the importance of having the freedom to explore and generate new ideas.  The approach that Amy advocates in this podcast has led her to pivotal new discoveries, including potential new therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease and Rett syndrome.

Lucy therapeutics: https://www.lucytherapeutics.com/

Paper - Playing Mozart to Chemical Reactions: https://jabde.com/2022/04/08/echocatalysis-playing-mozart-to-chemical-reactions/ 

Alessio Ciulli is a Professor and Chair of Chemical Structural Biology at the University of Dundee, where he is also the founder and director of the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD). He is also the scientific founder of Amphista Therapeutics. This conversation covers the significant moments in Alessio’s career where he began to shape an exciting new approach in drug discovery:  targeted protein degradation.

CeTPD page: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/cetpd

Alessio’s group page: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/people/alessio-ciulli

Alessio’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/alessiociulli

Jennifer Petter is the founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Arrakis Therapeutics. Here she discusses the moments that led up to the founding of a successful biotech company built on a remarkable new approach in drug discovery: RNA-targeting small molecules. This back of the napkin conversation covers the standout moments in Jen’s career as well as some insightful perspectives into the future of drug discovery.

Arrakis Therapeutics Website: https://arrakistx.com/

Matthew Disney is a Professor and Chair at the University of Florida Scripps Institute. In this podcast he discusses the origins of a new field he has pioneered – ‘Drugging RNAs with small molecules’.  The conversation covers the eureka moments, the challenges, RIBOTACs, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Disney Lab Website: https://disney.scripps.ufl.edu/

Matt’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/disney_lab?lang=en

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind, but every story behind a discovery is different. Perhaps the idea is conceived in a light bulb moment or brainstorming session or captured in scribblings on the back of a napkin. All these great game changing discoveries seem to have one thing in common...  and that is that: the pioneers, the scientists, the entrepreneurs that conceive the ideas aren’t afraid to step outside the constraints of every day thinking and to propose new ideas.

In this series, we introduce you to these scientific pioneers, taking you beyond their publications and into innovation corner to hear the untold stories behind their discoveries.

This podcast is brought to you by Bio-Techne and hosted by Alex Moloney.