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, the hosts, and the science we explore. Discover the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems powering real-world research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.

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, the hosts, and the science we explore. Discover the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems powering real-world research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.

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, the hosts, and the science we explore. Discover the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio Digital and Real-Time PCR Systems powering real-world research across neuroscience, oncology, agriculture, and more.