Discovery Matters
Episodes
112. Best of 2025
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the mysteries of space to the secrets of the microbiome, from the science of pain to extraordinary stories of resilience and discovery — 2025 w...
111. Brain tumors
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brain tumours are among the most complex and challenging conditions in modern medicine. In this episode, we explore what brain tumours are, how they d...
110. Dr Spendlove
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the story of Dr. Rex Spendlove, the humble scientist behind a breakthrough in cell culture media. From his early days tackling unreliable fet...
109. The art of delivery: mRNA meets LNP
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when mRNA meets lipid nanoparticles? Sparks fly—and science wins. This dynamic duo is behind breakthroughs from game-changing vaccines ...
108. Metastatic breast cancer
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about the purisuit to understand and treat metastatic breast cancer. Dr. Martine Piccart and Dr. Lisa Carey delve into the complex...
107. Engineering and preserving the microbiome
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 healt...
106. Zoonotic diseases
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore zoonotic diseases and their growing impact on global health. Professor Clare Bryant, sheds light on strategies to vaccinat...
105. What is pain?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pain. It comes in many forms: physical and emotional. But do we really understand it?This episode will attempt to answer fundamental questions about w...
104. Vaccines: Inverse v traditional
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 real...
103. How space impacts the body
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what happens to your body when you leave Earth behind? In this gravity-defying episode, we launch into the weird, wild world of human biol...
102. Fighting diabetes differently
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's new with insulin? Jeppe Sturis and his team at Novo Nordisk have a new hypothesis. They challenge the long-held belief that insulin resistance ...
101. Unleashing AI: Adventures in discovery
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a fascinating deep dive into how generative AI is revolutionizing healthcare and life sciences! We unveil groundbreaking advancements in d...
95. Modality convergence in advanced therapies
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this lite bite episode as Dr. Aravind Asokan, Duke University, explores cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing advanced therapies, inclu...
100. Best of 2024
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special celebratory milestone episode, we mark our 100th episode with a vibrant recap of year. Get ready to dive into fascinating conversation...
99. Re-run: One hundred years of insulin
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Insulin's discovery in 1921 transformed diabetes from a certain death sentence to a manageable chronic condition, revolutionizing modern medicine. In ...
98. Detective work in Parkinson's Disease
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Discovery Matters we delve into groundbreaking advancements in Parkinson’s disease research. Dodi and Conor transport us to the f...
97. Re-run: The discovery of Protein A
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this re-released episode we revisit protein A. We will dive back into the history and science of protein A. But what exactly sets protein A apart? ...
96. Re-run: Tea, jam and protein separation
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach our one hundredth episode, travel back with us to the origins of the podcast in our premiere episode, "Team and Jam and Protein Separat...
94. Discovery Maker: Dr Michael Houghton
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the fascinating world of virology as we welcome Nobel Prize-winning virologist Dr. Michael Houghton on this episode of Discovery Matters. We...
93. How sustainable is biopharma?
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Eco-design, collaboration, circular economy. These are the bywords of sustainability in biopharma. Join Ryan Walker, Senior Director of Sustainability...
92. Big data, AI, and the problem of averages
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Discovery Matters," we dive into the powerful intersection of big data and artificial intelligence. Joined by Matej Maca...
91. The body as a bioreactor
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does 'the body as a bioreactor' mean? In this discussion how scientists use the body's machinery to produce therapeutic proteins. Sco...
90. Advanced therapies (Part 2)
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're diving into advanced therapies with industry leaders. Emmanuel Abate, President of Genomic Medicine at Cytiva discussed the strategies to ac...
89. Advanced therapies (Part 1)
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From gene and cell therapies, to the use of CRISPR and other precision engineering technologies, this episode dives into the opportunities and challen...
88. Replicants and reality
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you tell the difference between a human and AI? Of course you can…right? We challenge Conor and Dodi to tell the difference between Conor and Co...
87. Cephalopods: From camouflage to communication
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's explore the remarkable colour-changing abilities of cephalopods. Joined by Dan Wilson from the Kostas Research Institute at Northeastern Uni...
86. Synthetic biology
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Discovery Matters, hosts Dodi and Conor explore how synthetic biology can lead to transformative breakthroughs when it comes to dea...
85. Drugging the undruggable
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in to Discovery Matters to see how we can drug the undruggable. Dodi and Conor talk to Mark Bray, a second year PhD student in the Bowman Lab at ...
84. Unraveling biotech's AI transformation
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to revolutionize biomedical research and make personalized healthcare a rea...
83. Antibody drug conjugates
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s explore the world of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and their potential for improving human health. Our two guests—Principal Investigator S...
82. Best of 2023
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discovery Matters is back with our best episodes and insights from the past year. Dodi and Conor re-explore some cutting-edge ideas and technologies p...
80. Different strokes from different folks
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Conor and Dodi in the latest episode of Discovery Matters, as they explore the wonders of ground-breaking scientific discoveries from multidiscip...
79. Patient-derived organoids (part 2): Organic electronic materials
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s explore the world of organoids and their potential to revolutionize disease treatment. Joined by Matthias Zilbauer and Roisin Owens, we look a...
78. Lipid nanoparticles: a special delivery service
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Discovery Matters, we discuss the exciting potential of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver genetic material and therapeutics to ...
81. Access in developing nations
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Challenges of improving access to healthcare in developing countries - it's a conversation we need to have. With the help of Dr Jerome Kim, Direct...
77. Combination therapies and serendipity
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Through a discussion of combination therapies, Dodi and Conor delve into the mysterious power of the human microbiome, and antimicrobial resistance. W...
76. Liquid biopsy
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the potential of liquid biopsies as a method to detect deadly diseases. We speak with three experts – Marta Herreros, ...
75. The state of the industry
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why do China and US have different government regulations? Why can’t we do business above the fray? These are just some of the struggles biopharma ...
74. Patient-derived organoids (part 1)
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Discovery Matters, we explore the incredible advances in precision medicine enabled by organoid technology. Vicky Marsh Durban and ...
73. War! What is it good for?
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
War! What is it good for? In this episode of Discovery Matters, Dr Smith explains how military medicine first shaped state medicine and how wartime cr...
72. Cryogenic cold chains and CAR T
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John Morris, a scientist at the forefront of cryopreservation technology, joins Dodi and Conor. They discuss the impact of cryopreservation on the dev...
71. Revived therapies (part 2) - Phage therapy
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Conor and Dodi explore the new and exciting world of bacteriophage therapy. Join them as they speak to Anton Peleg, Professor of Infectious Diseases a...
70. Anti-cancer molecules
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Discovery Matters, Dodi and Conor are joined by Dr. Bradley Moore from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to discuss his...
69. Never underestimate a cell
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We should not underestimate cells. Conor and Dodi talk with Dr Brett Kagan, who conducted research to understand the brain and test ‘sentient’ bra...
68. CRISPR and molecular aging
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do CRISPR and longevity have in common? Not much, except it's all molecular. We spoke to two different CEOs focused on improving human health...
67. Revived therapies (part 1): Psychedelics
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Psychedelic treatment is a therapy which is on the rise according to the increasing number of studies on the use of psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA to t...
66. Getting ÄKTA ready in virtual reality
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Conor and Dodi try their hand at learning to operate an ÄKTA ready in virtual reality. Their virtual journey takes them to Singapore and Miami, witho...
65. Best of 2022
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mushrooms on Mars, life-saving blood from worms, cell-cultured seafood. It's been a year filled with surprise, serendipity, and everything in betw...
64. Pain in the body and brain
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode focuses on the microbiome and how it is increasingly linked to disease and illness. It seems this is true for understanding the illness o...
63. Organ on a chip: part 2
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we sat down with Christos Michas, R&D scientist and engineer at Curi Bio, and Alice White, professor of mechanical engineering at Boston Un...
62. Organ on a chip: Part 1
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first in a two-part series on organ on a chip technology, we discuss with Jan Turner, formerly part of Safer Medicines Trust, how these organo...
61. Genetic and genomic databases
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We have lots of information at our fingertips, so how do we make sense of it all, especially in human health? Conor and Dodi speak to two experts maki...
60. The talk on talent
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Within the life sciences industry, there has been a longstanding conversation around one of the industry’s most difficult challenges. That challenge...
59. Microscopic eco-warriors
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Plastic and pollution are two issues that impact our planet. It would be easy to despair but once again biology has come to save us. The Alper Lab at ...
58. Wastewater epidemiology: Something in the wastewater
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a relatively new approach to determine the viral make up in any given area. Using chemical analysis of pollutants and...
57. Special blood and transplants
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about special blood and transplants. We speak to Jon Adkins, co-founder of XenoTherapeutics, who walks us through their use of xen...
56. Understanding and treating Alzheimer’s
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we contemplate the combatting the devastating disease that Alzheimer’s is. According to a recent report by the Alzheimer’s Diseas...
55. The injustice of disease burden and access to vaccines
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The pandemic has been a global issue, which has benefitted from the coming together of industry, pharma, academia, non-governmental and governmental s...
54. Mycoprotein v. cell-cultured seafood
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We know meat is problematic for the environment, and seafood has its own issues with overfishing, so do we have to wave goodbye to the foods we love? ...
53. The future of GMOs
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to Jacob Moe-Lange from California Cultured, and Natasha Haveman from the UF Space Plant Lab, genetically modified food is the future. Both ...
52. The magical world of fungi (part 2)
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fungi are amazing in so many ways, and after learning that they could be used to build habitat on Mars, we have this bonus episode to go into home the...
51. Women in STEM
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
March is the month of the Woman, and to celebrate International Women’s Day we speak with two agents of change who are passionate about opportunity ...
50. Biomimicry in space exploration
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sustained life and colonization in space are closer than ever, and biology holds the key. Biomimetic processes have applications for water filtration ...
49. Discovery Makers: Mustapha Bittaye
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Discovery Maker Mustapha Bittaye, now a senior scientist working on diagnostic assay development at Medicines Discovery Catapult, who previously ...
48. Discovery Makers: Sebastian Falk
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What better way to start off 2022 than with a return to our Discovery Makers series. We celebrate discovery by talking to the scientists changing the ...
47. Best of 2021
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As 2022 rolls around the corner, we look back on the amazing topics we covered in 2021. Conor and Dodi were set an assignment to choose their favorite...
46. The pulse of the industry - BioPlan and the Biopharma Resilience Index
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode of Discovery Matters we are focusing on industry surveys and what they can tell us. This includes BioPlan and the Biopharma Resilienc...
45. Detecting sepsis: the role of single-cell
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Single-cell sequencing is a technology that is giving us new genomic capabilities. Dr. Luciano Martelotto joins us to explain how single-cell sequenci...
44. Insects as biotech engines
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve talked about slime, seaweed, mushrooms, and now creepy crawlies. Insects are important biotech engines for medicines and meals. Algenex are us...
43. Crossing the finishing line in biotech
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We talk a lot about beginnings on Discovery Matters, but what about actually getting biologic drugs to people? Once the biologic is produced, aseptic ...
42. mRNA - the talk of the town
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Who (in the scientific community) would have guessed that mRNA would be such a popular word in everyone's vocabulary one day? Well, as Conor puts it, ...
41. Seaweed, Agar and Algae
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Discovery Matters, enter into the world of slime: seaweed, agar and algae. Algae gave us the atmosphere that we have today and is s...
40. 'Joan's Ideal': One real story - and advice - on inclusion in the sciences
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The BSCP is working towards greater diversity and opportunities for people of colour and disadvantaged individuals within the biomedical and life scie...
39. "You won't believe what happened next": a true crime special
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you solve linked murders without witnesses? The answer, DNA. In this episode of Discovery Matters, we have been inspired by the true crim...
38. Innovating with intent
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We adore happy accidents. But is that the only way to innovate? We talk to an innovation guru who's all about structure. Then we meet a scientis...
37. The old biotech and the sea
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Short and sweet. Conor brings an interesting story about the role of horseshoe crabs in the pharmaceutical industry. Our guest and subject matter expe...
36. The 5 R's in the life sciences industry
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, healthcare and pharma does a whole lot of good in the world - but this doesn't make us exempt from taking our plastic waste seriously. So ...
35. One hundred years of insulin and the future diabetes vaccine
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What better way to celebrate 100 years of insulin than with the CEO of the company who is on the verge of giving us a vaccine for type 1 diabetes?&nbs...
34. Citizen Science and the science of gamification
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's the science behind apps like Duolingo and Yousician? Gamification! And what happens when you apply this science to ... scientific discoveries? ...
33. Discovery Makers: Dorraya El-Ashry
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Scientists love asking “why?” But they often have intensely personal reasons for solving challenges too. Meet Dorraya El-Ashry, scientist and trai...
32. Discovery Makers: Robert "Bob" Lefkowitz
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode almost became a 3 hour long one - Robert "Bob" Lefkowitz, PhD., is a phenomenal, infinite source of knowledge. Dodi and Conor are still a...
30. Oligos part 2
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Remember our first episode on oligonucleotides, telling the story of Roy living with spinal muscular atrophy? We were so amazed by this technology, we...
29. The science of science denial
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Longer episode than we're usually used to, but we think it's worth it. Why does science denial exist, how does it work and what's the antidote? ...
28. The magical world of fungi (part 1)
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Conor finally brings the 15 minutes of fame to fungi - mushrooms being second only to his "microbiomania". We invite you to the beginning of the journ...
27. Best of 2020
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
2020 wasn't all bad! We met some fascinating scientists during the year who helped us understand topics like quantum biology, how baking bread h...
26. Mapping tissues and tumors
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do we find our way? Consulting a map is the age-old answer, at least geographically. But the art of mapping - considered a superpower by one of th...
25. It all adds up: mathematical simulations in biopharma research
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is easily one of our favorites: everything from design of experiments, to AI-powered math simulations, to existential questions. Conor an...
24. Breast cancer research during COVID19
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the arrival of October we notice the (re)arrival of pink ribbons - it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In this episode of Discovery Matter...
23. Chill out: from cryotherapy to cryopreservation
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Popular science and cell biology collide in this episode as Dodi and Conor discuss the science of cryogenics and its diverse applications. They ...
Discovery Matters ... because it does!
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Life sciences has a new podcast! A collection of stories and insights on matters of discovery that advance life sciences. Hosts are Dodi Axelson and C...
22. The Molecular Clamp - Perspectives from one team's search for a COVID-19 vaccine
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While it may not be here tomorrow, scientists around the world are racing to develop viable COVID-19 vaccine candidates. In this episode, Dodi and Con...
July bonus - Fun scientific facts
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dodi and Conor welcome colleague Kaycee Palumbo for the Discovery Matters special of "Did you know?" Sources: Drugged-out hallucinating zombie...
21. The brewer, the baker and the biotech maker
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Without baking and brewing, there'd be no biotech. Join Dodi and Conor through the discovery of fermentation, bags of wheat at the Stockholm Bre...
20. Seeing things small: what does biology and telecom have in common?
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Excited about the combination of biology, engineering and computing being the 21st century's big leap forward? Do you see biological computing actuall...
19. The discovery of Protein A
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Scandinavians have done it again. In this episode Conor and Dodi are (not really) surprised to find out that, just like chromatography, prot...
18. Quantum biology: going subatomic
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do birds know where to go in the winter? And why are plants so efficient at making food? Conor and Dodi chat with researchers studying whether qua...
17. How does your brain discover what it wants?
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dodi and Conor take 2 minutes to celebrate the birth of Cytiva, company formerly part of GE Healthcare Life Sciences. Yes, only 2 min...
16. The artistry of vaccine development
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Vaccines are a way to educate our immune system to recognize foreign and dangerous stuff," says Daria Donati, Director of Business Development and In...
15. How to: Small biotechs into big companies
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do big companies stay at the forefront of the industry? How do small companies "make it big"? In this episode of Discovery Matters, Conor and Dodi...
14. The story of oligonucleotides and spinal muscular atrophy
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Conor tells Dodi the story of Roy Muhrbeck. It all started 4 years ago when new parents, Hugo Muhrbeck and Maja Ödmann brought home ...