Absolute Gene-ius

Jordan Ruggieri, Lisa Crawford

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Life Sciences
Every two months

The Applied Biosystems™ Absolute Gene-ius podcast is a fun and informative dive into the molecular methods behind modern biology. Each episode brings scientists and experts together for lively conversations about the technologies, workflows, discoveries, and career stories shaping life science research.

2 Sept

Better together – how qPCR and dPCR complement each other

Choosing between qPCR and digital PCR isn't about finding a winner, it's about asking the right scientific question. In this Science Snapshot, Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford revisit insights from researchers including Corbin Schuster, Nikhil Ram Mohan, Brandi Kiel Reese, Pavla Brachova, Nehemiah Seth Alvarez, Raquel Muñoz, Rounak Feigelman, and Brian Bahder to explore how qPCR and dPCR work together across a wide range of applications. From environmental DNA and pathogen surveillance to COVID viral RNAemia, reproductive biology, CAR-T cell monitoring, and assay development, each guest demonstrates why qPCR often provides the speed, flexibility, and throughput needed for discovery, while digital PCR delivers the analytical sensitivity, precision, and absolute quantification required for challenging targets. Together, these examples illustrate that the strongest workflows often combine both technologies, allowing researchers to move seamlessly from broad screening to highly confident quantitative measurements. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
19 Aug

Multiplexing qPCR without multiplying the complexity

PCR gets amplified, quantified, partitioned, and multiplexed in this practical tour through three decades of molecular biology innovation. Dr. John Pfeifer, senior real-time PCR field application scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, joins Jordan and Lisa to explain how conventional PCR, qPCR, and digital PCR generate and interpret results differently. John describes real-time PCR as a versatile “Swiss army knife,” while digital PCR offers particular advantages for detecting rare targets against a high background. He then explores multiplexing, including how TaqMan assays use distinct fluorescent dyes to detect multiple targets in one reaction. The conversation covers the benefits of multiplexing for throughput, sample conservation, precision, and quality control, along with key considerations such as target abundance, Taq polymerase saturation, primer limitation, dye selection, mixed standard curves, and wet-lab validation. In Career Corner, John traces his scientific curiosity from childhood books and theoretical physics to genetics, molecular virology, and PCR. He also recalls a demonstration gone wrong, a surprisingly restorative qPCR presentation involving Charles the goat, and the sales-rep conversation that changed his career. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
5 Aug

Beyond the band – understanding copy number variation

In this Science Snapshot, we explore copy number variation (CNV) and why accurately measuring gene copies is critical for modern research. Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford demonstrate how digital PCR has transformed DNA quantification using conversations with past Absolute Gene-ius guests including Dave Bauer, Dustin Rubinstein, Raquel Muñoz, Lee Ann Baxter-Lowe, Parker Wilson, Valeria Rangel, and Brian Bahder. They begin with the fundamentals of absolute quantification before exploring real-world applications in CRISPR genome editing, CAR-T cell expansion, transplant monitoring using donor-derived cell-free DNA, chromosomal mosaicism, leukemia research, and environmental genomics. Along the way, listeners learn why digital PCR provides advantages over traditional PCR approaches for measuring rare targets, validating edits, detecting low-abundance DNA, and producing confident quantitative results. Whether you're new to CNV analysis or already using digital PCR in your research, this episode offers practical perspectives from scientists applying these technologies every day. It's a fast-paced overview of why accurate DNA measurement continues to shape discoveries across molecular biology. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
15 Jul

qPCR, nested PCR, and the search for bacterial serotypes

Some science stories start with a textbook. Donna Paznar’s started with a tick. In this episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Donna Paznar, head of Molecular Infection Diagnostics at the Medical University of Vienna, discusses her work studying Streptococcus pneumoniae and its impact across the Austrian population. She explains why this respiratory bacterium can be especially dangerous for infants and older adults, how children may act as asymptomatic reservoirs, and why tracking more than 100 bacterial serotypes is both important and technically challenging. Donna also walks through the molecular methods behind her work, including qPCR for identifying positive samples, nested PCR for targeting more specific DNA regions, and sequencing to help confirm serotypes. Along the way, she highlights the complexity of surveillance research and the goal of developing more efficient multiplex qPCR approaches. The career corner takes a fun turn into ticks, workplace cliques, qPCR mistakes, and a proud sleuthing moment involving a rare tick-borne pathogen. Donna’s advice is simple and useful: try opportunities, expect failure, and stay open-minded. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
1 Jul

How PCR, CRISPR, and animal models are advancing oncology research

Cancer research is moving fast, and molecular tools are helping scientists see more, measure more, and ask better questions. In this Science Snapshot episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Jordan Ruggieri and Lisa Crawford revisit memorable oncology-related clips from past conversations. Dr. Raquel Munoz explains how CAR-T cells are engineered to recognize and kill cancer cells, and how PCR-based methods can help confirm successful modification and track CAR-T expansion. Dr. Dustin Rubinstein shares how CRISPR and genome editing are being used to create pig models, including “onco-pig,” that may better reflect aspects of human cancer biology than traditional models. The episode also connects cell-free DNA research from Dr. Lee Ann Baxter-Lowe to oncology applications, before turning to Dr. Kathie Sollweck’s discussion of circulating tumor DNA and the sensitivity needed to detect low mutational burden in liquid biopsy research. Finally, Valeria Rangel offers practical perspective on multiplex PCR assay design. And because it is Absolute Gene-ius, the science comes with some laughs, a few pig jokes, and a reminder that even complex oncology methods can be surprisingly fun to talk about. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
17 Jun

Genotoxicity, vectors, and the power of integration site analysis

In this episode, Michael Stump and Matteo Franco from ProtaGene explore the growing importance of integration site analysis (ISA) in cell and gene therapy. As viral vectors like lentivirus and AAV become more widely used, understanding where and how they integrate into the genome is essential for assessing genotoxicity and long-term safety. The discussion dives into how sequencing reveals integration locations, clonal expansion risks, and potential activation of oncogenes. They also highlight how tools like digital PCR complement sequencing as orthogonal methods that help enable precise quantification, validation, and new applications like vector integrity and copy number analysis. Beyond the science, the conversation explores the CRO role in supporting both early-phase discovery and late-stage regulatory needs, balancing innovation with regulatory expectations, and adapting to emerging modalities like LNPs. The career corner brings a mix of honesty and humor, from chaotic CRO workdays to broken PCR capillaries and runaway lab mice, paired with thoughtful advice on navigating industry paths, building GMP expertise, and finding the right fit between academia and industry. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
8 Jun

From brewing to bioprocessing – Steve Lewis on molecular biology trends

PCR may be decades old, but it is still one of the most versatile tools in modern molecular biology. In this crossover episode, Absolute Gene-ius welcomes Steve Lewis, host of Speaking of Mol Bio and Director of Product Management at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Steve discusses why PCR remains so broadly relevant across research and applied science, from human identification and food testing to gene synthesis and molecular characterization. He also explores emerging trends shaping molecular biology workflows, including multiplexing, assay design, customization, miniaturization, and the ongoing need for high-quality PCR plastics. The conversation also digs into sustainability in the lab, including why single-use plastics remain essential for reducing contamination risk and how more sustainable material sourcing can help reduce carbon impact without compromising performance. In Career Corner, Steve shares a winding path that started in communications, moved through startups and home brewing, and eventually led to bioprocessing, biosecurity, synthetic biology, and product management. His advice? Cultivate curiosity, surround yourself with good people, and try not to drop your E. coli flask. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.
20 May

Epigenetics unlocked – how behavior shapes biology

Dr. Robert Philibert joins the show to unpack the fascinating world of epigenetics, where environmental factors like smoking, alcohol, and lifestyle reshape how genes are expressed. He explains how methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin structure act as regulatory layers on top of DNA, influencing disease risk far more than previously thought. The conversation dives into how technologies like bisulfite conversion and digital PCR enable precise measurement of these changes, transforming epigenetic signals into actionable data. Dr. Philibert also highlights real-world applications, from detecting behavioral risk factors to enabling early disease biomarkers, emphasizing how epigenetics can’t be “gamed” like traditional reporting methods, making it a powerful tool for precision health interventions. From spilled drink mishaps to science fiction inspiration, the career corner brings humor and humanity. Dr. Philibert reflects on mentorship, passion, and the joy of seeing students turn ideas into impactful innovations, proving that science is as much about people as it is about discovery. Visit the Absolute Gene-ius page to learn more about the guests, hosts, and science featured in the series. Explore how Applied Biosystems™ QuantStudio™ Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems support research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.

The Applied Biosystems™ Absolute Gene-ius podcast is a fun and informative dive into the molecular methods behind modern biology. Each episode brings scientists and experts together for lively conversations about the technologies, workflows, discoveries, and career stories shaping life science research.

Creator

Jordan Ruggieri, Lisa Crawford
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

47
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific
Show Website

Absolute Gene-ius

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