Robert Langer, a renowned MIT professor and a towering figure in biotechnology, shares insights into his groundbreaking work in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. He discusses the thrilling journey of drug discovery and its emotional highs and lows. Langer reveals his secrets for innovative thinking, the complexities of launching successful biotech startups, and the critical role of mentorship in shaping the next generation of scientists. He also touches on the intersection of science and magic, highlighting creativity in both fields.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Invisible Pack
Bob Langer enjoys a magic trick called the invisible pack.
It involves a spectator shuffling an imaginary deck and selecting a card, which Langer reveals from a real deck in his pocket.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Rejections
Langer's early work with Judah Folkman on blood vessel inhibitors faced initial rejection.
One paper was rejected by Nature but accepted by Science, while another followed the opposite path.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Think Big
Pursue big, world-changing ideas, not incremental ones.
Exposure to inspiring figures and recognizing impactful ideas are key.
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In this book, Bill Bryson embarks on a journey to understand and explain the vast expanse of scientific knowledge, from the origins of the universe to the development of modern science. He explores various fields such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and anthropology, making complex concepts clear and entertaining for the layman. Bryson's approach is informal and chatty, filled with wit and anecdotes about the scientists and their discoveries. The book is structured chronologically, helping readers understand how each scientific discovery led to the next, and it highlights both the achievements and the failures of scientists throughout history[1][2][4].
Robert Langer is a professor at MIT and one of the most cited researchers in history, specializing in biotechnology fields of drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. He has bridged theory and practice by being a key member and driving force in launching many successful biotech companies out of MIT.
This conversation is part of the Artificial Intelligence podcast. If you would like to get more information about this podcast go to https://lexfridman.com/ai or connect with @lexfridman on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, or YouTube where you can watch the video versions of these conversations. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate it 5 stars on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify, or support it on Patreon.
Here’s the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
OUTLINE:
00:00 – Introduction
03:07 – Magic and science
05:34 – Memorable rejection
08:35 – How to come up with big ideas in science
13:27 – How to make a new drug
22:38 – Drug delivery
28:22 – Tissue engineering
35:22 – Beautiful idea in bioengineering
38:16 – Patenting process
42:21 – What does it take to build a successful startup?
46:18 – Mentoring students
50:54 – Funding
58:08 – Cookies
59:41 – What are you most proud of?
Lex Fridman Podcast 
