Science with a Twist

On this episode of Science With a Twist, Paolo Braiuca interviews Dr. Steven Townsend. Through his research, Steven is trying to demystify the science of human milk. His work on human milk oligosaccharides, carbohydrates whose molecules are composed of a relatively small number of monosaccharide units, won him the consideration for the American Chemical Society Talented 12 program in 2019.

Ron O’Brien speaks with Mary Kay Bates, Senior Cell Culture Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Mary gives us an inside look into the complex world of vaccine development and why developing one for COVID-19 has been so different. You can listen here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Water is everywhere, but accessible drinking water is not. In celebration of World Water Day (March 22), we’re tackling the importance of water preservation and why improving global access to clean water matters now.

Instrumental Access is enabling scientists around the world to make life-changing discoveries. Listen to hear how Seeding Labs, a nonprofit partner of Thermo Fisher, is providing the tools and training needed for researchers in developing countries to make the greatest global impact.

As the Coronavirus continues to spread, doctors, scientists and health agencies are racing to contain the outbreak. Listen to hear how they are using scientific technologies to detect, prevent and develop a vaccine for this respiratory syndrome.

In 2008, the bond between two friends became even closer when one of them made the life-altering decision to donate a kidney to the other. Since then, Louise Lerminiaux and Conna Jones have been on a journey to live their lives to the fullest, while telling their inspirational story and advocating for organ donation.

For first responders at the local, state and federal level, coming into contact with unknown substances in the field can be a life-threatening situation. From opioid and bomb detection to identifying toxic chemicals in the environment, all pose physical and health hazards. Hear from Thermo Fisher field instrumentation experts Bill Kotowski and Erica Hirsch to learn more about the critical process of identifying harmful substances and how emerging technology, including a handheld narcotics analysis device, is helping protect first responders, and the public, from dangerous situations.

In part II of this series, Amy Butler, vice president of cell biology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, talks with host Ron O’Brien about the science behind CAR T-cell therapy and how it uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Allergies are everywhere and for some, even the smallest particle can trigger a reaction. In this episode of Science with a Twist, host Ron O’Brien sits down with Dr. Lakiea Wright, an allergy and immunology expert, to discuss the latest in allergy testing and why it’s critical to avoid a potentially dangerous reaction.

The Nalgene water bottle has become a hydration staple for many, but did you know it was born from science? That’s right! The Nalge Company, founded in the 1949, went on to launch Nalgene Outdoor changing the face of high-quality hiking and camping essentials. Eric Hansen and Elissa McGee join host, Ron O’Brien, to discuss how the bottle we all know and love evolved into what it is today.