Modern Chemistry Podcast

Terms used

If you’re not familiar with some of the terms used in this discussion – some key ones are described here for your reference:

• C rate – the charge and discharge rates of a battery. This varies by battery, but a 1C rate will be a defined current over a particular period of time. 
• Cell – The smallest form of a battery – best considered in consumer terms as a single AA or AAA, etc battery.
• Module – A number of individual cell...

If you’re not familiar with some of the terms used in this discussion – some key ones are described here for your reference:

• Bio-inorganic chemistry – the study of the role of metals in biological processes. This includes naturally occurring molecules and artificially introduced proteins.
• Metal center (active site) – the active metal in a larger molecule that reacts in (or catalyzes) a reaction
• Catalysis – increasing the rate of a...

Episode 18 of the Modern Chemistry podcast features Dr. Sebastian Gross. Sebastian is a consultant at Wega IT, (https://www.wega-it.com/en/). Where he supports clients, using his advanced experience in biotechnology methods, bioprocess development, lab & assay automation and kinetic modelling. Sebastian has strong experience in tools like Liquid Handling station, SiLA, Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, SQL, and Data modelling.

Prior to Wega,...

Amanda has a BS degree in Chemistry from Penn State University, and PhD in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and conducted post-doctoral research at Princeton University prior to her tenure at Virginia Tech.

Amanda’s research focuses on how to convert solar power into usable energy, or fuel, and useful materials or chemicals

You will hear the following terms used during the interview. I've included some descriptions here. 

• M...

Episode 16 of the Modern Chemistry podcast dives back into glycobiology and its practical application with Benjamin Schumann. Ben is a chemical biologist who studies the biology of carbohydrates (glycans). After completing his undergraduate biochemistry studies in Tübingen, Germany, he was trained in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry in the lab of Peter H. Seeberger at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Potsdam and ...

Monica Is a group leader at ICIQ (Institut Català d’Investigació Química / Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia), Tarragona, Spain. Her group focuses on the ‘Development of new chemical transformations: From organometallic mechanistic studies to catalysis’. Prior to her current position, Monica conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, which followed awarding of her Ph.D. from the Univers...

Elisa Fadda obtained her PhD in 2004 from the Department of Chemistry at the Université de Montréal under Professor Dennis R. Salahub. From May 2004 to May 2008, she worked as a post-doctoral fellow in Dr Régis Pomès group in Molecular Structure and Function at the Hospital for Sick Children (Sickkids) Research Institute in Toronto. From June 2008 until May 2013, Elisa worked as a research associate and honorary research lecturer i...

You will hear the following terms used during the interview. I've included some descriptions here. 

• Chirality – Chirality is a feature where an object can be distinguished from a mirror-image version of itself (for instance left and right gloves, or shoes). In chemistry, chirality is often due to the presence of an asymmetrical carbon atom. Chiral isomers are identified as either L-type or D-type, based on how polarized light is...

You will hear the following terms used during the interview. I've included some descriptions here. 

• PCR - The Polymerase Chain Reaction is a technique for amplifying DNA sequences using a thermostable DNA polymerase enzyme and a cycling reaction temperature profile of heating and cooling. Dedicated instruments typically provide the temperature cycling mechanism.
• LAMP reaction – The Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification reaction ...

During the show, ee mention Kevin – Dr. Kevin Lam, a previous podcast guest on episodes 5 and 6 – accessible at https://helgroup.com/knowledge/podcasts/ . Again, Thanks to Kevin for making the connection to Steve.

You will hear the following terms used during the interview.  I’ve included some descriptions and links to deeper reading. 

• Arduino – An open source electronics and software platform – more details at  https://www.ardui...

You will hear the following terms used during the interview.  I’ve included some descriptions and links to deeper reading. 

• Lactic acid – an organic (carbon-based) acid, with chemical formula CH3CH(OH)COOH
• Biopolymer – In this case, biopolymer refers to a polymer manufactured from biologically produced subunits.  The subunits are specifically lactic acid in this case. A polymer is a molecule composed of repeating subunits.
• Biofuel...

One minor clarification  Jeff asked me to make - at around 7:15  he mentions that Vertex  does not do any commercial manufacturing in-house.  Vertex does not perform in-house, commercial scale production of drug substances.

You will hear the following terms used during the interview.  I’ve included some descriptions and links to deeper reading. 

• Vertex - Vertex Pharmaceuticals - https://www.vrtx.com/
• Exotherm – An exothermic react...

Episode Notes

Kevin completed his Ph.D. studies at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium) in 2010 and since then has held research roles at universities in the USA and Kazakhstan.He is currently a Reader in Medicinal Chemistry, based at the University of Greenwich, at their Chatham (UK) campus – where we recorded this episode. 

You will hear the following terms used during the interview.  I’ve included some descripti...

Kevin completed his Ph.D. studies at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium) in 2010 and since then has held research roles at universities in the USA and Kazakhstan.He is currently a Reader in Medicinal Chemistry, based at the University of Greenwich, at their Chatham (UK) campus – where we recorded this episode. 

You will hear the following terms used during the interview.  I’ve included some descriptions and links to deepe...

Following over 20 years of working with companies on energy storage projects, Shmuel founded Shmuel De-Leon Energy in 2010 and continues to consult and support a wide range of governments, companies and organizations on their energy storage needs

If you want to connect with Shmuel, or find out more about the work of Shmuel De-Leon Energy, you can find:

Shmuel De-leon energy at www.sdle.co.il

Shmuel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin....

During the discussion, we mention a few terms-

• LCMS – Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry is an analytical technique wherein complex mixtures of chemical are separated by liquid chromatography, then subjected to mass analysis in a mass spectrometer.  This often gives detailed information about the composition of the chemical mixtures.
• NMR autosampler – A device which automatically takes samples of a chemical or chemical mix a...

During the discussion, we mention a few terms-

• Batch reaction/batch reactor – A batch reaction is one where all the ingredients are placed in a single vessel, often heated to allow the reaction to take place.  Once the reaction is finished, the end products are collected and usually further purified.  A batch reactor is the vessel used.  More information can be read here - http://www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/processes/chemica...