The Biotech Futurist

What if we had a ChatGPT for transcriptomics, what if we could predict how the gene network is changed in diseases for which we have scarce molecular data?

Today I have the immense pleasure to discuss transformers in single-cell transcriptomics to make huge predictions about gene modulation with Christina Theodoris, who today first-authored a paper in Nature entitled “Transfer learning enables predictions in network biology”. Chris...

What if told you that your lifespan is probably predictable from a biopsy?

Today I have the pleasure to discuss state-of-the-art epigenetic clocks for biological age and lifespan estimation to develop interventions that slow down aging with my former mentor Professor Alessandro Cellerino. Prof Cellerino is a world leader in aging and longevity research. He is an Associate Professor and Research group leader at the Scuola Normale Su...

What if gene editing went on a date with nanomedicine?

Today I am lucky to spend some time talking to my former mentor Vittoria Raffa about all the fundamental molecular biology of gene editing, and the open challenges to translate CRISPR-based technologies to the clinic. Will nanomedicine and synthetic biology be the right partners for gene editing to make it? Vittoria is an Associate Professor of Nanomedicine and Molecular Biolog...

What’s the revolution of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering in Industrial Biotech?

Welcome to the latest episode of The Biotech Futurist, where we drive around the fascinating field of industrial biotechnology. Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Stefano Bertacchi, a passionate researcher and EU bioeconomy ambassador. Stefano shares with us his journey, from his interest in microorganisms and yeasts to his current r...

What if we had non-directive, unbiased genetic counseling all over the world?

Today I have fun talking to Victoria (Tori) Suslovitch, friend and coworker from the Yu Lab in Boston. Tori is a genetic counselor, and she has been supporting the logistical, educational, and emotional needs of patients and families enrolled in translational genomics studies for a long time.

Tori and I try to give an exhaustive overview of the world of g...

What if we could record several molecular events happening inside cells along time?

Today I have the pleasure to discuss an outstanding tool to record molecular events in time with Professor Adam Cohen. Adam is a Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Physics at Harvard, he has countless academic and extra-academic achievements that led to his MIT Technology Review nomination to the 35 world's top innovators under 35 in 2007...

What if we could detect a tumor, monitor for metastasis, and track the response to therapeutics from a simple blood draw instead of an invasive tissue biopsy?

Today I have the pleasure to discuss state-of-the-art liquid biopsy techniques with Professor Chiara Cremolini, who I met virtually during my time in Pisa. Chiara is an Associate Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Pisa, where she performs translational researc...

What if we could treat aging as any other disease?

Today I am excited to meet Eleanor Sheekey on my podcast. Eleanor is a PhD student at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, where she focuses on p53 biology. Eleanor has a beautiful YouTube channel where she distills the most innovative research in aging with a creative and engaging rhythm, The Sheekey Science Show.

Eleanor and I go through some of the most promising trends i...

What if therapeutics for genetic diseases became as routine as transplant surgery?

Today I have the pleasure to discuss the rise of interventional genomics with the very unique Winston Yan. Winston did his PhD in the Feng Zhang lab in the very early days of the CRISPR revolution, founded Arbor Biotech, became a leader in the new field of interventional genomics with the N=1 collaborative to bring advanced therapeutics to patients w...

What if we had rapid and reliable COVID tests since the very early days of the pandemics?

Today I have the pleasure to discuss state-of-the-art diagnostics for infectious diseases with my friend Ben Zhang. Ben is a medical student at Harvard Medical School. He has done prize-winning work in the Pardis Sabeti lab on CRISPR-based diagnostic for flu and COVID.

Ben and I discuss the importance of viral tests that are easy to use and do...

What if we could understand and talk to minimally verbal individuals thanks to machine learning?

Today I have the luck to meet the pure energy of Kristy Johnson. After a PhD at the MIT Media Lab, Kristy is now working at Boston Children’s Hospital, but she’s also a mother, and her first child has a terrible ultrarare disease called MEF2C haploinsufficiency. Kristy is a versatile scientist and she has devoted her research to minimal...

The Biotech Futurist podcast aims to build fundamental knowledge and trust in emerging research in the biomedical disciplines. I interview a guest every week, exploring topics such as CRISPR therapeutics, neuroscience, rare diseases, machine learning in biology, omics, oncology, longevity. You can imagine to be out with me and my expert guests for a friendly conversation, having fun as much as I've had recording this podcast. Thank...