ATCC's Podcast: Behind the Biology

In this episode of Behind the Biology, Dr. Carolina Lucchesi explores microphysiological systems (MPS)—advanced bioengineering devices designed to mimic key organ or tissue functions in a more physiologically relevant way than traditional 2D culture, while offering a more human-relevant alternative than many animal models in specific contexts. Dr Lucchesi digs into what it takes to build and run MPS in practice: choosing materials (and understanding tradeoffs like small molecule absorption), selecting the right cell source (primary cells, organoids, iPSC derived cells, or cell lines), accounting for organ specific mechanical forces (like shear stress), and managing biological complexity across multiple cell types, media, and timelines. The episode closes with how cross industry collaboration and protocol harmonization can improve reproducibility and make data more comparable across platforms.

In this episode, Frank Simione explores the future of ATCC. Frank highlights the transformation initiated by Dr Raymond Cypess and continued by Dr Ruth Cheng, which required ATCC to operate more like a business to achieve financial stability. Frank suggested that ATCC's future lies in vertical growth through revolutionary advancements and major technological innovations, similar to venture capital strategies, to ensure sustainable growth. They acknowledged that while contracts, outbreaks, and pandemics are unpredictable, ATCC is well-prepared to handle such events. Standards will remain integral to ATCC's operations, and David expressed excitement about ATCC's role in developing standards, particularly in bioinformatics.

In this episode, David Yarmosh welcomes Frank Simione back to discuss ATCC's evolution from relying on government subsidies to securing government contracts, a shift initiated in the 1990s under Dr. Raymond Cypess's leadership. The discussion also covers ATCC's unique market position, the importance of preserving materials like the Zika virus, and ATCC's role as a patent depository, starting in 1949 and becoming the first International Depository Authority in 1981.

In this episode, Frank Simione, often referred to as the ATCC historian, discusses the rich history of the organization. Frank, who boasts a 42-year tenure with the organization, shares insights from his time as the Director of Standards, overseeing the development and recognition of standards by ANSI. He also touches on the role of the Biological Standards Institute and ATCC's mission to provide standardized biological materials, such as the E. coli strain used in antibiotic susceptibility testing. Frank delves into ATCC's early history, highlighting key figures like Lore Rogers and the organization's journey from the American Museum of Natural History to becoming an independent entity in 1947.

Join in, to hear Dr. Ruth Cheng, CEO share her vision for ATCC’s future, emphasizing the need for organizational agility, calculated risk-taking, and alignment with the pace of scientific progress. She highlights recent initiatives like the partnership with Align to Innovate to develop digital data reference standards and outlines plans to expand ATCC’s global footprint. Dr. Cheng discusses investments in cutting-edge technologies such as microphysiological systems, single-cell sequencing, and high-resolution imaging. Reflecting on her legacy, she expresses a desire to ensure ATCC remains mission-driven and relevant for the next century, while encouraging future leaders to embrace challenges and stay grounded in their values.