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.

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

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.