Episode 11: DNA Nudge + Snakebite Antivenom 2.0

Today on the show Emma and Shini are joined by another Razor team member. Over the course of the Razor Podcast we have covered topics by reporter Jo Colan, and on this episode she updates us on some of your favourite Razor episodes. 

The repurposing of drugs or treatments originally used to treat other diseases is common in science and it&aposs happening even more now.  Jo came across an example of this when researchers working to find a universal anti-venom to snake-bites received an unexpected phone call from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Find out how snakebite research relates to HIV/AIDS firstly, and secondly, how does it relate to treating Covid-19 [03:40]. 

Jo also tells us what it was like being there in person for our snakebite story we first mentioned all the way back in episode 1 of the Razor Podcast [09:30]. 

In our second story Jo tells us all about meeting Chris Toumazou from DNA Nudge from episode 3 of the Razor Podcast. DNA Nudge is a DNA sequencing business mostly focused on informing customers of their genetic profiles and helping them make healthier lifestyle choices. During the pandemic, the company has pivoted toward making Covid-19 tests. Jo tells us how this works and why the company is perfectly set-up for this new innovation [14:00]. Jo also tells us what she learned about her own genetic profile when she took a DNA Nudge test back in 2019 [14:44].