Speaking of Mol Bio

• Customization is key―tailoring RT-qPCR for modern assays

  In this Mol Bio Minutes mini-episode, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Agnė Žiupkaitė takes listeners on a journey through the evolving world of RNA assay development—focusing specifically on 1-Step RT-qPCR. She outlines the critical considerations for assay developers, including enzyme speed, robustness, and the growing demand for customizable reagents that meet both technical and regulatory needs.Highlighting Thermo Fisher’s SuperScript reverse transcriptase family—particularly the Lyo-ready SuperScript III Flash RT—Agnė explains how innovations in enzyme design have broken past bottlenecks in assay workflow, enabling reverse transcription in under a minute. She also explores the power of customization, from labeling and fill formats to enzyme formulation changes and glycerol-free options that support microfluidic platforms and lyophilization.Agnė offers practical insight into how raw material suppliers can serve as collaborative partners, not just vendors. She emphasizes the importance of commercial rights, scalability, and regulatory readiness when sourcing components for commercial assay kits. Whether you're an OEM kit developer or a scientist building the next molecular breakthrough, this episode is packed with actionable insights to improve efficiency, reliability, and speed.Helpful resource links mentioned in this episode:Learn more about raw materials for molecular diagnosticsOrder Lyo-ready SuperScript III Flash TranscriptaseVisit this page to expand your knowledge of reverse transcription Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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• Quantum barcoding and the future of single-cell analytics

  In this episode, host Steve Lewis sits down with Giovanna Prout, President and CEO of Scale Biosciences, to explore how Scale is pushing the boundaries of single-cell omics. With a career that spans roles with big players and entrepreneurial ventures, Giovanna brings a unique perspective to the world of genomics innovation.Giovanna dives into Scale's patented Quantum Barcoding technology—a high-throughput, combinatorial indexing approach that allows researchers to process millions of cells and thousands of samples simultaneously, all without the need for specialized instrumentation. She explains how this flexible, automation-friendly platform is opening doors for AI-driven data modeling, large-scale drug screening, and highly diverse patient cohort studies.Beyond the science, Giovanna reflects on her leadership journey, emphasizing persistence, servant leadership, and a passion for making a difference in life sciences. She also shares the vision behind the 100 Million Cell Initiative, a bold collaboration that empowers scientists to dream big without constraints. For early-career scientists, Giovanna offers candid advice on working hard, staying curious, and believing in the impact of their work. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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• Simplify your science ― why 1-step RT-PCR is a game changer

  In this episode of Speaking of Mol Bio, Aistė Serapinaite, an experienced R&D scientist, shares her insights into the world of 1-Step RT-PCR—a method that simplifies RNA analysis by combining reverse transcription and PCR amplification in a single reaction. She explains how traditional RNA workflows once lengthy, multi-step processes were prone to errors and contamination, and how 1-Step RT-PCR has transformed this landscape with speed, efficiency, and fewer handling steps.Listeners learn about the technical workings of 1-Step RT-PCR, including the importance of primer design, RNA quality, and essential controls to ensure reliable results. Aistė highlights the Invitrogen SuperScript IV UniPrime One-Step RT-PCR System, emphasizing features like universal annealing temperatures and high sensitivity, capable of detecting even trace levels of RNA.The episode also explores diverse applications, from gene expression studies and cancer biomarker detection to monitoring viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus. While acknowledging the limitations of 1-Step RT-PCR—like the inability to archive cDNA for future assays—Aistė affirms its role as a fast, robust, and eco-friendly solution for high-throughput molecular biology labs. Whether you're new to molecular workflows or an experienced researcher, this episode offers valuable tips and tools to optimize your RNA experiments.Helpful resource links mentioned in this episode:See how one-step RT-PCR is used for amplicon-based viral genome sequencingView a video on the differences between one-step and two-step RT-PCRAccess the Oligo Perfect Primer Designer toolOrder or check out the brochure for Invitrogen SuperScript IV UniPrime One-Step RT-PCR SystemOrder Invitrogen ezDNase Enzyme Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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• No nucleus, no problem – platelet biology and scientific communication

  In this episode of Speaking of Mol Bio, Dr. Beth Webb takes us deep into the world of platelets, often misunderstood components of blood that punch far above their weight in both physiological and pathological processes. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leeds, Dr. Webb explores how endothelial signals influence platelet activity, and how these anucleate cell fragments play roles not only in clotting, but also in immune responses, inflammation, and diseases like cardiovascular disorders and COVID-19.Beth unpacks the technical challenges of isolating and analyzing platelets—particularly in RNA sequencing and qPCR—while stressing the importance of sample purity and the presence of platelet subpopulations. The conversation also touches on the hope of personalized medicine through platelet-based diagnostics and tailored antiplatelet therapies.Beyond the lab, Dr. Webb is an active science communicator, sharing tips on engaging broader audiences through social media, blogs, and video. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, creativity, and starting small when communicating science. Whether you're a cell biologist, a hematology enthusiast, or a fellow communicator, this episode offers something for everyone. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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• Boosting PCR accuracy – tips for maximizing amplification fidelity

  In this Mol Bio Minutes episode, Laurynas Alijošius shares a personal story that every molecular biologist can relate to—running PCR, cloning, and sequencing, only to discover frustrating errors in the DNA. This episode dives deep into PCR accuracy and why it matters for everything from sequencing to cloning and long-read library prep. Laurynas breaks down the major contributors to PCR error, including the fidelity of DNA polymerase, primer design flaws, template impurities, and suboptimal cycling conditions. He then offers a range of solutions—like switching to high-fidelity enzymes, using ready-to-go master mixes, and optimizing magnesium ion concentrations. He also explains how reducing cycle numbers and fine-tuning annealing temperatures can minimize unwanted amplification and ensure more reliable data.Whether you're troubleshooting or proactively optimizing your workflow, this episode is packed with tips and tools to help you increase PCR accuracy, reduce costs, and save time. Episode notes contain links to enzyme comparisons, primer design tools, and cycling guides to help you PCR with precision.Helpful resource links mentioned in this episode:Thermo Scientific web tools for primer design and analysis, and moreThe PCR Learning Center with lots of helpful tips and informationLearn more about PCR reagents and enzymesBrowse and purchase PCR enzymes and master mixesAccess the PCR troubleshooting guideDownload the molecular biology handbook  Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you’re hearing we hope you’ll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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