Advertise on podcast: ATCC's Podcast: Behind the Biology

In this episode of Behind the Biology, David Yarmosh talks with Dr. Sanjeev Thohan about the curiosity, mentorship, and career experiences that shaped his approach to science and leadership. Sanjeev reflects on the value of asking both the obvious and overlooked questions, recognizing patterns across complex problems, and developing the situational awareness needed to move scientific programs forward. The conversation also explores the realities of startup leadership, including how difficult decisions, lessons from failure, and a willingness to challenge assumptions can help teams uncover opportunities others may miss.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Wick explores the technologies and ideas that are shaping the future of microbial genomics. Dr. Wick discusses how advances in machine learning have dramatically improved the accuracy of next-generation sequencing, helping scientists translate complex electrical signals into reliable DNA sequences. He explains the differences between traditional computational approaches and modern AI-driven methods, highlighting how improvements in algorithms and biochemistry have worked together to advance long-read sequencing. Looking ahead, Dr. Wick shares his perspective on emerging opportunities in metagenomics, eukaryotic genome assembly, and the continued evolution of tools designed to make genomic analysis more accurate and accessible.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Wick discusses the path that led him into bioinformatics and the technologies that have shaped his work in bacterial genomics. Dr. Wick shares how an early interest in biology evolved through careers in healthcare software and science education into a passion for programming and computational biology. He explains how that journey led to the development of a tool that helps scientists visualize genome assembly graphs, and later a hybrid assembler that combines short- and long-read sequencing data to create complete bacterial genome assemblies. Dr. Wick also explores how advances in next-generation sequencing, machine learning, and bioinformatics algorithms have improved the accuracy and accessibility of genome assembly.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Wick to explore the tools and ideas that have shaped modern bacterial genome assembly. Dr. Wick explains how his bioinformatics tools used for bacterial genome assembly help scientists turn sequencing reads into complete, usable genomes. He breaks down the unique challenges of genome assembly and why bacterial isolates are especially well suited to hybrid approaches that combine short- and long-read data. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Wick emphasizes the importance of choosing the right tool for the right scientific question, noting that every assembly method has strengths, limitations, and intended use cases.

Tune in, to hear Dr. Scott Nguyen explore what it means to trust scientific data while still questioning it carefully. Dr. Nguyen shares a memorable comparison between bioinformatics and storm chasing. In both cases, he explains, you look at data, interpret clues, make predictions, and understand that the information may not be perfect. For storm chasing, that might mean comparing radar images with what you can see in the sky. In genomics, it means checking sequencing results with other tools, understanding how the experiment was run, and making sure the conclusions are supported. The conversation also touches on imposter syndrome and how learning to trust the scientific process can help build confidence. Dr. Nguyen’s storm-chasing example is connected back to his work with genomic data, showing how curiosity, caution, and experience all play a role in good science.

Listen in, as Dr. Scott Nguyen continues the conversation by looking at how sequencing data becomes something scientists can actually use. Dr. Nguyen explains that biological data should not be interpreted on its own. To understand what a genome sequence really means, scientists need to consider where the sample came from, how the experiment was performed, what tools were used, and what limitations may exist. He then shapes the discussion around the bigger picture: bioinformatics is not just about running data through software — it also requires judgment, context, and careful review.

In this episode, Dave Yarmosh sits down with Dr. Scott Nguyen to introduce the world of biocuration and why it matters in modern biology. Dr. Nguyen explains that biocuration is all about making sure scientific data is connected to the right information. In sequencing work, that means confirming that a genome is matched to the correct strain and that the strain’s background details, or metadata, are accurate. He breaks down why this matters: even the best sequencing data can become confusing or misleading if it is not connected to the right biological context. Dr. Nguyen closes by discussing how scientists need a clear starting point for understanding how careful data organization supports trustworthy science.

What’s next for microphysiological systems? In this episode, Dr. Carolina Lucchesi shares her perspective on how these technologies are advancing toward broader adoption in research and drug development. She discusses the potential of patient-derived models to support personalized medicine, the integration of experimental and in silico approaches, and the hurdles that remain in scaling and automation. The conversation also examines the role of MPS in improving safety and predictability—from early drug screening to infectious disease research—while offering a realistic outlook on their future impact.

What drives a scientist to rethink how we model human biology? In this episode, Dr. Carolina Lucchesi shares how her career evolved from animal-based research to pioneering work in organ-on-a-chip systems. She discusses the technical challenges she helped solve, the growing importance of microphysiological systems in drug discovery, and how ATCC is working to bring greater consistency and trust to these emerging models. The episode also highlights the role of diverse cell sources in building more representative and predictive research systems.

In this episode of Behind the Biology, Dr. Carolina Lucchesi explores microphysiological systems (MPS)—advanced bioengineering devices designed to mimic key organ or tissue functions in a more physiologically relevant way than traditional 2D culture, while offering a more human-relevant alternative than many animal models in specific contexts. Dr Lucchesi digs into what it takes to build and run MPS in practice: choosing materials (and understanding tradeoffs like small molecule absorption), selecting the right cell source (primary cells, organoids, iPSC derived cells, or cell lines), accounting for organ specific mechanical forces (like shear stress), and managing biological complexity across multiple cell types, media, and timelines. The episode closes with how cross industry collaboration and protocol harmonization can improve reproducibility and make data more comparable across platforms.

In this episode, Frank Simione explores the future of ATCC. Frank highlights the transformation initiated by Dr Raymond Cypess and continued by Dr Ruth Cheng, which required ATCC to operate more like a business to achieve financial stability. Frank suggested that ATCC's future lies in vertical growth through revolutionary advancements and major technological innovations, similar to venture capital strategies, to ensure sustainable growth. They acknowledged that while contracts, outbreaks, and pandemics are unpredictable, ATCC is well-prepared to handle such events. Standards will remain integral to ATCC's operations, and David expressed excitement about ATCC's role in developing standards, particularly in bioinformatics.

In this episode, David Yarmosh welcomes Frank Simione back to discuss ATCC's evolution from relying on government subsidies to securing government contracts, a shift initiated in the 1990s under Dr. Raymond Cypess's leadership. The discussion also covers ATCC's unique market position, the importance of preserving materials like the Zika virus, and ATCC's role as a patent depository, starting in 1949 and becoming the first International Depository Authority in 1981.

In this episode, Frank Simione, often referred to as the ATCC historian, discusses the rich history of the organization. Frank, who boasts a 42-year tenure with the organization, shares insights from his time as the Director of Standards, overseeing the development and recognition of standards by ANSI. He also touches on the role of the Biological Standards Institute and ATCC's mission to provide standardized biological materials, such as the E. coli strain used in antibiotic susceptibility testing. Frank delves into ATCC's early history, highlighting key figures like Lore Rogers and the organization's journey from the American Museum of Natural History to becoming an independent entity in 1947.

Join in, to hear Dr. Ruth Cheng, CEO share her vision for ATCC’s future, emphasizing the need for organizational agility, calculated risk-taking, and alignment with the pace of scientific progress. She highlights recent initiatives like the partnership with Align to Innovate to develop digital data reference standards and outlines plans to expand ATCC’s global footprint. Dr. Cheng discusses investments in cutting-edge technologies such as microphysiological systems, single-cell sequencing, and high-resolution imaging. Reflecting on her legacy, she expresses a desire to ensure ATCC remains mission-driven and relevant for the next century, while encouraging future leaders to embrace challenges and stay grounded in their values.

Listen in to hear Dr. Ruth Cheng dive into the pivotal career moments that shaped her leadership style and strategic mindset. She recounts leading a therapeutic delivery project at Boston Scientific that she ultimately chose to terminate—an experience that taught her the value of recognizing failure early and reallocating resources wisely. At Smith & Nephew, she embraced a high-stakes strategic planning role without prior experience, relying on mentorship and collaboration. Dr. Cheng also discusses ATCC’s evolution from 2D to advanced 3D cultures and the growing need for standards that support complex biological research, especially in the era of personalized medicine and engineered biology.