Biotechnology podcasts

Sean Carroll talks with Caltech researcher Erik Winfree about programming DNA to process information and build microscopic machines. They discuss molecular computation, self-assembly, biological information processing and the prospects for DNA-based robots in biology and medicine.

Hosted by Sean Carroll

Andrew Huberman joins Patrick O’Shaughnessy to discuss the frontier of neurotechnology and sustained human performance. Their conversation considers the convergence of AI and biotechnology, gene-based methods for changing neural activity and motivation, and the relationships between visual behaviour, arousal and sleep. Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University.

Hosted by Patrick O’Shaughnessy

Saloni Dattani and Jacob Trefethen discuss siRNA medicines that suppress production of harmful proteins without changing DNA. They examine the long path from discovery to treatment, why existing drugs concentrate on liver diseases, programmable and long-lasting effects, and prospects and limitations for treating infection, cardiovascular disease, rare disorders and cancer.

Hosted by Saloni Dattani, Jacob Trefethen

Adrian Hill discusses the scientific challenges behind developing the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, its path from research to use, and efforts to make vaccination accessible in Africa. The conversation explores the complexity of the malaria parasite and the practical demands of vaccine production and delivery. The publisher credits Marushka Soobben and Chris Smith as presenters and provides the episode audio and interview transcript.

Hosted by Marushka Soobben, Chris Smith

Rafael Rosengarten and BioPharmaTrend co-founder Andrii Buvailo discuss how to assess progress in AI-assisted drug discovery. They trace the move from individual computational tasks to connected research workflows and question whether counting AI-associated drug candidates captures the technology’s value. Topics include research productivity, trial design, biomarkers, human expertise and the use of patient-derived data, organoids and other representative biological systems to improve translation. The conversation also considers why AI has become polarising and how specialised models may fit into pharmaceutical research.

This Nature Podcast episode examines human brain organoids transplanted into mice lacking a cerebral cortex, where extensive cellular integration could create an in-vivo platform for testing therapies and studying human neurobiology. It also covers research highlights and Paper2Agent, an AI system that turns research papers into interactive virtual corresponding authors able to answer questions and support complex scientific tasks.

Vincent Racaniello, Kathy Spindler and Brianne Barker discuss research using generative AI to design complete bacteriophage genomes, including reported viable phages active against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They also examine a study linking recombinant shingles vaccination with lower cardiovascular-event risk. The discussion connects genome modelling, experimental virology and vaccine research, alongside listener letters and weekly selections.

Hosted by Vincent Racaniello, Brianne Barker

This episode examines whether manufacturing pharmaceuticals and biomedical materials in microgravity can become practical, with Julia Vaz and Michael Greshko. Kevin McLean speaks with Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen about narwhals collecting oceanographic measurements that reveal Atlantic warming in East Greenland fjords. In the book segment, Angela Saini interviews Priyambada Jayakumar about her biography of agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan. The publisher provides a full transcript and external audio.

Hosted by Sarah Crespi, Angela Saini

Nature's podcast explores genetically engineered probiotic bacteria that sense elevated glucose and release therapeutic factors, lowering blood sugar in animal studies. The episode also covers ecological research on pumas, geological erosion, and how a solar eclipse can help researchers probe the Sun's magnetic corona.

Nature journalists discuss a chemical route that converts PVC waste into motor lubricant and engineered yeast that produces a potential cancer drug.

Nature staff revisit the landmark cloning of Dolly the sheep from an adult cell and discuss the first direct observation of ocean-floor crust being created.

Jeff Coller explains how messenger RNA carries information from DNA to the machinery that produces proteins and how researchers are learning to use it therapeutically. The conversation covers vaccination, tailored treatments and approaches connected with gene editing, placing these developments in the broader biology of RNA and its possible role in the origins of life.

Hosted by Sean Carroll

Jennifer Doudna discusses how CRISPR changed gene editing and what might come next. The conversation examines emerging applications, technical limitations and the ethical choices involved in altering genetic material, including how scientific progress can be paired with responsible use.

Hosted by Janna Levin

Charlene Lancaster speaks with Cesar de la Fuente about using artificial intelligence to discover novel antibiotics from organisms and genetic sources spanning spiders, archaea, woolly mammoths, and humans.

Lars Bakken discusses using bacteria to reduce nitrous-oxide emissions associated with agricultural fertilizer. Conversation in Norwegian.

Thomas Reh and Juliette Wohlschlegel discuss their research on converting human Müller glia into retinal neurons with host Martin Pera. The conversation traces how regeneration in fish and frogs motivated experiments in mammals, then examines genetic reprogramming of cells derived from human fetal tissue or retinal organoids. Their study of ASCL1-induced neurogenesis provides a basis for discussing the remaining biological and translational challenges of retinal regeneration. The work concerns experimental cellular models and does not establish a treatment for vision loss.

Robert J Johnston joins Jonathan McCrea to explain retinal organoids and how researchers grow these laboratory models of the retina. Drawing on his work at Johns Hopkins University, Johnston discusses what the models can offer basic and translational research, how industry views their use, and whether they could become a standard approach for studying retinal disease. The conversation examines the research potential of lab-grown retinas rather than presenting them as an established treatment.

Sissel Beate Rønning discusses cultivating meat from cells and the technical and environmental questions facing the field. Conversation in Norwegian.

Gunnveig Grødeland explains vaccine development and immune protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Norwegian discussion reflects its original publication period.