Discovery Matters

124. Is your lifespan written into your genes?

In this episode of Discovery Matters, new research using the Swedish Twin Registry reveals that genetics may account for up to 50% of intrinsic lifespan, far more than pr

122. Is life science adopting AI?

AI is moving fast — but is life science actually adopting it? In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore how artificial intelligence is being used across pharma an

121. AI-designed viruses

On this episode of Discovery Matters, Conor speaks with Samuel King, a Stanford PhD researcher working at the intersection of AI and biology. Samuel explains how biologic

120. Viral vectors: Getting therapies to the right address

What if curing disease came down to better directions? This week on Discovery Matters, we’re talking viral vectors, AI, and why delivery is the unsung hero of gene thera

119. The truth about testosterone

In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore the science, stigma, and innovation behind one of medicine’s most misunderstood hormones. We are joined by Shalin Shah, C

118. Oligos: new synthesis technologies

Oligonucleotides are moving beyond rare diseases—but scaling them is anything but simple. As therapies target larger patient populations, new synthesis technologies must

117. The future of global vaccine security

Global health has hit a low tide, but the story doesn’t end there. In this episode, we revisit Dr. Jerome Kim of the International Vaccine Institute to explore funding cu

116. The beauty of innovation

What does real innovation in life sciences actually look like? In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore innovation from both a scientific and deeply human perspe

115. From synthetic guides to smart delivery

In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore both sides of the gene‑editing coin: the tools that cut DNA and the technologies that safely deliver them where they need

114. Structural biology and crystallography

In this episode, we talk with Prof. Tej Pal Singh, a leading figure in structural biology whose work has revealed the shapes and functions of hundreds of important protei

113. Eliminating sleeping sickness

Kenya has eliminated human African trypanosomiasis —sleeping sickness — as a public health problem. Dr. Gerardo Priotto from the World Health Organization joins us to exp

112. Best of 2025

From the mysteries of space to the secrets of the microbiome, from the science of pain to extraordinary stories of resilience and discovery — 2025 was a year to remember.

111. Brain tumors

Brain tumours are among the most complex and challenging conditions in modern medicine. In this episode, we explore what brain tumours are, how they develop, and most imp

110. Dr Spendlove

Discover the story of Dr. Rex Spendlove, the humble scientist behind a breakthrough in cell culture media. From his early days tackling unreliable fetal bovine serum to f

109. The art of delivery: mRNA meets LNP

What happens when mRNA meets lipid nanoparticles? Sparks fly—and science wins. This dynamic duo is behind breakthroughs from game-changing vaccines to strategies for sile

108. Metastatic breast cancer

This episode is all about the purisuit to understand and treat metastatic breast cancer. Dr. Martine Piccart and Dr. Lisa Carey delve into the complexities of metastatic

107. Engineering and preserving the microbiome

We’re fascinated by the microbiome — and for good reason. But how do we protect this invisible ecosystem that plays such a vital role in our health? From engineering liv

106. Zoonotic diseases

In this episode, we explore zoonotic diseases and their growing impact on global health. Professor Clare Bryant, sheds light on strategies to vaccinate animals to preve

105. What is pain?

Pain. It comes in many forms: physical and emotional. But do we really understand it? This episode will attempt to answer fundamental questions about what pain is, how i

104. Vaccines: Inverse v traditional

Today, we're diving into a topic that's not just reshaping the world of vaccines—it's flipping it on its head. We're exploring the cutting-edge realm of inverse vaccines