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Absolute Gene-iusAuthor: Jordan Ruggieri, Lisa Crawford
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. Language: en Genres: Chemistry, Life Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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When the signal is barely there – strategies for rare target detection
Episode 17
Wednesday, 7 October, 2026
In this Science Snapshot episode of Absolute Gene-ius, Lisa Crawford and Jordan Ruggieri revisit conversations with researchers working at the limits of molecular detection. Dr. Nikhil Ram Mohan explains how digital PCR revealed viral RNA signals that were difficult to detect by qPCR and how absolute quantification helped expose subtle differences. Dr. Clarence Lee discusses finding known biomarkers and mutations in complex samples, including circulating tumor DNA and cell and gene therapy applications. Dr. Parker Wilson shares how digital PCR helped verify rare Y chromosome loss first observed by single-cell sequencing, while Dr. Jesus Mingorance describes using multiple PCR approaches to investigate difficult-to-measure HIV-2 viral load. Finally, Wendy Wang brings the concept of partitioning to life with a memorable analogy for understanding copy number and structural variation. Together, these stories show that rare-target research is often about more than simply asking whether a signal is present. It is about choosing the right tools to detect it, measure it confidently, and decide what that small signal might mean. 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.
