Behind the Breakthroughs
Inside Precision Medicine
Join host Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, North American Editor for Inside Precision Medicine, as he uncovers the stories behind the pioneers driving the precision medicine revolution. Behind the Breakthroughs features candid interviews with seasoned veterans and rising stars, exploring their origin stories and groundbreaking contributions advancing the frontiers of patient diagnosis, treatment, and care.In every episode, Jonathan goes beyond the science, diving deep into the personal and professional journeys of those striving to make these incredible new therapies more equitable and accessible globally. You'll discover how emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, genetic medicines (e.g., cell and gene therapies), and AI/ML are transforming treatment and bringing precision medicine closer to the forefront of healthcare. Whether you’re a researcher at a large pharma company or small biotech startup, a clinician at a major health system or community setting, a laboratory technician in the clinic or academia, an investor at a premier or venture capital firm, or just interested in the latest in medicine and healthcare, these interviews will inspire and inform you about personalized medicine's future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 29, 2025 • 49min
Michael Langer: Biotech Investing in the Data Age
If you work in biotech, the name Langer likely rings a bell. Robert Langer—the MIT legend behind Moderna and dozens of biotech startups—has become synonymous with innovation. Now, a new Langer is stepping forward. Michael Langer, Robert’s son, represents a new generation of investors rethinking biotech in the age of AI and data. Rather than chasing hype, he’s applying lessons from a lifetime around scientists to build a more disciplined, informed investment philosophy. As co-founder of T.Rex Capital, he’s helping shape the next phase of tech-enabled biotech—and exploring what truly drives success in precision medicine.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h
Vanessa Almendro-Navarro: Baby KJ and The Promise of Custom Gene Editing
When a rare genetic mutation left baby KJ without any treatment options, scientists and regulators confronted a profound ethical question: should medicine move fast enough to save a single child? For geneticist Vanessa Almendro-Navarro, PhD, KJ’s case represented both an urgent humanitarian mission and a glimpse into the future of personalized medicine. In this interview, she explains how her team created a bespoke gene-editing therapy for KJ, what it reveals about the rise of one-patient medicines, and how unprecedented collaboration is reshaping the boundaries of science and ethics.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 24, 2025 • 46min
Shana Kelley: Instrumented Tissues for Monitoring Human Body In Real-Time
Shana Kelley, a Professor at Northwestern University and President of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, dives into the groundbreaking world of instrumented tissues. She discusses her innovative work monitoring inflammation through real-time measurement technologies. Shana shares her journey from DNA research to founding startups and balancing academia with industry. She reveals the impact of collaborative, multidisciplinary teams in high-risk projects and explores the potential of these technologies for chronic diseases and clinical translation. A fascinating blend of science and real-world application!
Sep 3, 2025 • 55min
Mara Aspinall: Taking Diagnostics From Pitch to Patient
Mara Aspinall has long been a leader in precision medicine, championing diagnostics as vital to better treatments and saving lives. She built Genzyme Genetics into the nation’s top testing business, later acquired by LabCorp for $1 billion, and led Ventana (now Roche Tissue Diagnostics) in pioneering companion diagnostics. As co-founder of BlueStone Venture Partners and partner at Illumina Ventures, she continues shaping the field. She also publishes the Diagnostics Year in Review, serves on multiple boards, and co-founded ASU’s School of Biomedical Diagnostics. This episode explores both her vision for testing and her journey to becoming a transformative leader.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2025 • 56min
David Liu: Performing Chemistry on DNA to Unlock Personalized Gene Editing
David R. Liu, PhD, Harvard and Broad Institute professor, invented base and prime editing—gene editing tools now in 20+ clinical trials with early wins against sickle cell, leukemia, and more. Founder of Editas, Beam, and Prime Medicine, and winner of the 2025 Breakthrough Prize, Liu joins Behind The Breakthroughs to share how chemistry and evolution are driving the next wave of medicine.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2025 • 41min
Janice Chen: Unleashing CRISPR’s Clinical and Diagnostic Potential
Janice Chen, PhD, helped transform CRISPR from a lab discovery into a life-saving tool. As co-founder of Mammoth Biosciences with Jennifer Doudna, Trevor Martin, and Lucas Harrington, she’s driven efforts to harness CRISPR for human health and diagnostics. On Behind the Breakthroughs, Chen shares how she’s turning a once-theoretical gene editor into a medical revolution.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 23, 2025 • 41min
Amber Salzman: Epigenetic Editing Aims to Refine Personalized Genetic Medicine
With recent safety setbacks in gene therapy underscoring the risks of genetic medicine, Amber Salzman, PhD, is charting a different course. After 25 years in big pharma, she now leads Epicrispr, where their Gene Expression Modulation System (GEMS) fine-tunes gene activity to tackle diseases too complex for traditional gene replacement, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On Behind the Breakthroughs, Salzman shares how epigenomic modulation could open new frontiers in treatment.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 9, 2025 • 40min
Mike Previte: Predicting Biology with Spatiotemporal Multiomics
In this enlightening conversation, Mike Previte, CTO and co-founder of Element Biosciences, sheds light on his journey from Boston to groundbreaking advancements in biomedical technology. He discusses the limitations of current sequencing tools in capturing the dynamics of living cells and advocates for a 5D multiomics approach. Previte emphasizes the importance of integrating spatial and temporal dimensions in precision medicine. He also critiques traditional drug testing methods and highlights the potential of human-based models like organoids for safer and more effective therapies.
Jun 25, 2025 • 35min
Hervé Affagard: Creating Microbiomes to Fight Cancer, ALS, and More
Hervé Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma, traded industrial engineering for medicine after cancer struck his family. Now, he’s pioneering microbiome-based therapies to restore balance in the gut, boost immunity, and tackle diseases from graft-versus-host to cancer itself. On Behind the Breakthroughs, Hervé shares how reimagining our inner ecosystem could transform treatment.Want me to make this one lean even harder into the industrial-to-biotech transformation angle for extra contrast?Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11, 2025 • 38min
Michelle Werner: Engineered tRNAs Offer Universal Solutions to Stop Codon Diseases
When Michelle Werner, PhD, learned her son Caffrey had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, she left big pharma to lead Alltrna—a Flagship Pioneering company engineering tRNAs to tackle rare diseases with no treatments. On Behind the Breakthroughs, Werner shares her journey as both mother and CEO, and how Alltrna’s approach could unlock therapies for thousands of conditions caused by nonsense mutations.Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDAudio mixed and mastered by David MoselyBrought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
