Science With a View

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of start-ups and what it takes to move from academic research to the industrial stage. We’re joined by Kristina Haase (EMBL Barcelona) and Marc Talló (noctuRNA Therapeutics, a UPF's spinoff) who are making that very transition, sharing their experiences of shifting mindsets from academia to the commercial world, finding funding, and redefining priorities when moving from pure research to real-world impact. For our transversal discussion, we talk about why team composition matters and how priorities can differ between academic and start-up environments.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

This episode explores Alzheimer’s from prevention to treatment. Alongside Laura Forcano (HMRIB) and Oriol Grau-Rivera (FPM-BBRC-HMRIB), our two experts, we look at lifestyle interventions designed to slow cognitive decline, alongside efforts to detect early cognitive changes and test how new trials can be implemented in clinics. The conversation also covers new drugs targeting amyloid and tau, their promise and risks, and the importance of including low socio-economic groups in dementia research. Beyond the science, we discuss how communication and language can empower the public and fight stigma around dementia.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

This episode dives into the world of genetics and mutations. We’re joined by two experts: Marc de Manuel (IBE) studying the mechanisms and evolutionary variation of mutations, and Donate Weghorn (CRG) developing computational models to predict mutation probability. Together, they shed light on cancer, inherited mutations across families, and the curious Peto’s paradox—why bigger, longer-lived animals aren’t necessarily more prone to cancer. We also step outside the lab to discuss careers in research: short-term versus tenure-track contracts for early-stage PIs, and whether institutions truly value the right qualities when it comes to promotion.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

In this episode, we’re exploring how what we eat shapes how we feel. Our guests—Camille Lassale (ISGlobal) a Principal Investigator and Gabriela Lugon (HMRIB) a research clinician—share their perspectives on diets linked to mental health, the challenges of studying this connection, and why investing in these approaches could benefit both society and the economy. They also walk us through real projects that highlight just how important nutrition is for mental wellbeing. In our transversal discussion, we turn to the realities of academia, tackling the hurdles and barriers that researchers face as they build their careers.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

We’re kicking off our first episode with a deep dive into cancer research, joined by two PhD students from the PRBB: Heleen Jungen (EMBL Barcelona) & Júlia Urgel (CRG-MELIS UPF). They share their current work on metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer and the progression of pulmonary neuroendocrine lung cancer; while also looking ahead to how personalized medicine could shape future treatments. Beyond the science, we explore their different paths into research, the realities of finding a PhD, and what life in academia feels like when you’re just starting out. ‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

Since its discovery, our understanding of cells has evolved from simple structures to complex systems of organelles, proteins, and genetic material that interact in sophisticated ways. However, our understanding is far from complete with many cellular processes, such as signal transduction, metabolic networks and inter-cellular communication remaining a mystery! So, What are we still missing in our understanding of the living cell?  To help us break it all down, we’re joined by two leading experts, Alfonso Martínez-Arias from MELIS-UPF and Vikas Trivedi from EMBL Barcelona, for a thought-provoking conversation on where the field stands today. We’ll dive into the power of multidisciplinary approaches, challenge the current research paradigms, and wrestle with the deeper question: What does it truly mean to understand a cell?  Plus, we’ll turn our focus to an equally important issue: what makes for great research supervision? Our guests share their personal insights, and we ask the PRBB community for their take on this transversal topic.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

Often unfamiliar to lab-based researchers, field work offers unique insights that can transform biomedical studies. In this episode we’ll meet Sarah Warkentin from ISGlobal who will discuss her use of field work to uncover the environmental factors contributing to childhood obesity in local communities. On the other side of the table, we’ll have Marta Álvarez-Presas ComFuturo researcher at IBE (CSIC-UPF) sharing her field experiences in the Atlantic forests of South America, where she collects invertebrate samples to aid her conservation work, while navigating the logistical and safety challenges of accessing the habitat.Together, we explore the impact of field work in their respective fields, the practical challenges they face, and consider alternatives for research teams with limited funding. We also tackle the broader issue of academic work culture, questioning the necessity of long hours for success and discussing the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)

Beyond the doomsday scenarios, artificial intelligence (AI) holds incredible potential for advancing research and innovation. In this episode we tackle the unstoppable force of AI with Mafalda Dias (CRG) and Philippe Mortier (HMRIB), who share how they’re using this tool for ecological conservation and disease characterization applications and to assist clinicians in diagnosing and caring for patients at risk of suicide.  While exploring the transformative impact of AI on biomedical research, we also discuss its implications for the academic landscape, and even touch on some less successful attempts at using generative AI in scientific publication. Plus, we’ve got insights from researchers across the PRBB on how AI is revolutionizing their day-to-day work.‘Science With a View’ a PRBB production:Script & presenter: Chris GeorgeEditing: Inés FuentesRecording: Jordi Blanco & Rosa CamachoPost-production: Teo GrimaltTheme tune: Liam Colomer (voice-over, Alix Musset)