Scientific discovery happens in the lab—but it starts with curiosity and determination. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, we welcome Valeria Rangel, a PhD candidate at the University of California Irvine, who shares her research on acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the innovative ways digital PCR is helping uncover genetic patterns linked to cancer in Hispanic populations.

Val’s work focuses on Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She explains how her lab uses digital PCR to detect mutations with high precision, identify risk factors in certain populations, and even validate findings using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Through her research, Val sheds light on the role of SNPs, methylation patterns, and translocations in leukemia progression—demonstrating how digital PCR is transforming the way we approach cancer research.

Beyond the science, Val takes us on her personal journey, from struggling to break into research due to financial barriers to finding her passion in oncology. In this episode’s Career Corner, she shares valuable advice for aspiring scientists, tips for landing research opportunities, and some of her most hilarious and humbling lab moments (yes, she has broken multiple pipettes).

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Dr. C. Dustin Rubinstein takes us inside the world of advanced genome editing, where cutting-edge tools like CRISPR and digital PCR are helping shape the future of biomedical research.

As the Director of the Advanced Genome Editing Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Rubinstein shares how his lab develops genetically engineered pig models to study diseases like neurofibromatosis and cancer, providing researchers with more clinically relevant models than traditional small animals. He explains how digital PCR plays a crucial role in confirming genome edits with absolute precision, eliminating the ambiguity that often comes with qPCR and sequencing alone. The discussion dives into the advantages of dPCR for copy number variation analysis and gene editing confirmation, emphasizing the importance of multiple complementary technologies in modern molecular biology.

Beyond the science, Dr. Rubinstein reflects on his career path, the value of mentors, and the unpredictable nature of scientific discovery. He also joins in on some lighthearted lab humor and shares his most embarrassing (and proudest) moments in research. Tune in for an insightful and entertaining look at the intersection of gene editing, career evolution, and the future of molecular biology.

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Season 2 of Absolute Gene-ius comes to a close with a look back at the topics and inspiring conversations that have defined the series. From exploring innovative uses of digital PCR to uncovering its synergy with other molecular tools, this season was packed with insights for scientists at all levels.

Dive into the details as co-hosts Jordan Ruggieri and Christina Bouwens revisit memorable episodes, including using dPCR as a low-cost precursor to single-cell sequencing and its role in quantifying active mRNA in groundbreaking drug development. Hear from experts like Parker Wilson, Christian Cobaugh, and Raquel Munoz, who share how digital PCR is revolutionizing their workflows and complementing other tools like qPCR and NGS.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Absolute Gene-ius without a few puns! Stick around for some lighthearted banter as Jordan and Christina celebrate the season’s success, share their favorite moments, and hint at what’s coming in Season 3. Stay curious, and we’ll see you next cycle!

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

The statistics of Poisson distributions can seem complex at first but are simpler than you think, which is important to know given their relevance to digital PCR. In short, they dictate the confidence you can have in the absolute quantification provided by dPCR.

Dr. Dave Bauer, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s very own dPCR Product Applications Specialist and statistics whiz, joins us once again for this short-but-sweet episode that’s a must hear for those working with rare, or low-abundance PCR targets. Dave and the hosts talk about applications like cancer research where these types of samples are common, and then get into the details of how the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System works to provide elegantly simple technologies like false positive rejection, background subtraction, low dead volume microfluidic array plates, and a master mix with chamber loading dye. Join us to learn what each of these are all about and how they help to provide confidence and reliability in results that matter for your precious samples.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Same may think of the pathologist’s toolbox as only the microscope and their eyes, but in reality today’s pathologists are using more and more molecular methods like NGS and PCR in additional to their traditional tools.

Meet Parker Wilson, MD, PhD. Parker is a faculty member Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on using modern molecular tools to investigate chronic kidney disease. He explains his work phenomenally, both from the general aspects, all the way down to the molecular methods, which include digital PCR. We learn about chronic kidney disease and the interesting genetic mutations associated with it, which Parker and his team are finding, include chromosomal loss. For this application, we hear how dPCR is adept at quantifying chromosome ratios within tissues, and is able to help them spot variations of only a single percent or two.

Our career corner portion uncovers an academic and career path with uncertainty and challenges one might not expect. Parker helps normalize these challenges and underscores the value of mentors in helping navigate them successfully. In the end, you have a phenomenally intelligent physician scientists sharing his exciting work and his insightful career development advice.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Modern science, especially in the genetic and molecular biology spaces, generate vast amounts of data, and require vast amounts of data to be generated for thorough analysis. For example, finding a rare gene mutation such as BCR-ABL as a biomarker for chronic myeloid leukemia is like searching for a needle in a haystack. For a situation like this, dPCR is an ideal method, but high-throughput automation is also needed.

Dr. Clarence Lee, Senior Product Manger at Thermo Fisher Scientific, tells how the QuantStudio™ Absolute Q™ AutoRun dPCR suite helps make the benefits of digital PCR available in an easy-to-use high-throughput system. The conversation covers how automation benefits are provided by MAP16 plates, system software, and the AutoRun plate hotel and loading robot. Clarence also talks about customer applications where he sees automation like this being applied to innovate and drive science forward.

In the career corner portion, we learn about Clarence’s journey from chemist and biophysicist, to roles in industry and his current role as a product manager. He shares what he loves most about his job and what he’s most proud of over his career that has spanned several diverse roles.

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The potential of mRNA medicines was postulated for years, but it took the COVID pandemic and emergency use authorizations for that potential to be demonstrated. By now, most of us have received at least one mRNA based vaccine and the platform has been mostly derisked. However, if you’re not one of the major players in this space, generating high-purity mRNA, let alone a GMP-grade mRNA-based drug product, can still be quite challenging.

Dr. Chrisitan Cobaugh, CEO of Vernal Biosciences in Vermont, has been working in the mRNA field for more than a decade and is passionate about the potential of mRNA medicines. He’s also been in the field long enough to know firsthand the challenges of high-purity mRNA and lipid nanoparticle supply. Join us as Christian walks us through his story, the start of Vernal Biosciences, and their progress toward their mission of democratizing access to mRNA technology. Our conversation touches on the molecular biology of making mRNA, and the use of digital PCR and other methods in monitoring development and release of mRNA drug products, and the potential applications of mRNA as a platform (some of which you might not have guessed).

Whether you’re new to the technology, or have chosen mRNA as a focus area, you’re sure to find this conversation engaging and intriguing, and our guest insightful.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.

Viral vectors are a cornerstone of gene therapy and many employ experts in the viral vector services space to help design and produce their specialty vectors. These service providers are experts at making sure you get the vector you want with a titer and purity you need for your application.

We’re joined in this episode by Dr. Cliff Froelich, Head of Analytical Development for a viral vector services provider. Cliff and his team work with AAV, lentivirus, and other vectors to support multiple, and simultaneous, client projects. Specifically, we dive into how they use various analytical and molecular methods to monitor and assess identity, strength, purity, impurities, potency, efficiency, empty/full ratios, safety, and more. As you might expect, it’s not a one-method-does-it-all approach or solution. Yes, digital PCR is in the mix here, and Cliff does a great job of outlining where it shines relative to the other methods they use regularly in their GMP practice.

In our career corner portion, you’ll hear about Cliff’s circuitous career path, which includes stints in the poultry industry and time as a clinical dietitian. Through it all, and into his current role, Cliff brings a passion and genuine interest for the science and its potential to affect lives.

Visit the Absolute Gene-ius pageto learn more about the guests, the hosts, and the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System.