Inside the Lab Coat

A student-led podcast exploring how scientific and engineering research translates into real-world technologies. Through conversations with researchers, Inside the Lab Coat breaks down the key principles behind new developments in biomedical, chemical, and materials engineering.

  • Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Delivery

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with Dr. Giovanni Bovone about hydrogels and drug delivery systems. We discuss how hydrogels can be designed and modified to achieve controlled and sustained drug release, including through the use of nanoparticle attachments and other additives.

    Published: 03/07/26

  • Preventing Fibrosis through Engineered Materials

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with William Jeang about different materials and techniques that can inhibit unwanted immune reactions to implants. We discuss how immunomodulatory and antifouling technologies can be combined to reduce fibrosis and improve the long-term performance of implanted biomaterials.

    Published: 17/07/26

  • Nanoparticles for Overcoming Natural Barriers in Drug Delivery

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with Dr. Alessandra Pinna about the challenges faced by drug delivery systems, particularly in crossing the blood–brain barrier. We discuss how nanoparticle properties, including size, shape, and stimuli-responsive coatings, can help improve the delivery of drugs to the brain.

    Published: 31/07/26

  • Small Materials, Huge Potential: Nanoparticles with Dr Nuria Lafuente Gómez

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I explore the world of nanoparticles with Dr. Nuria Lafuente Gómez. We discuss the wide variety of nanoparticles, including magnetic nanoparticles that respond to external magnetic fields and gold nanoparticles with unique optical properties. From diagnostics to targeted drug delivery, we explore their many biomedical applications while also discussing some of the challenges involved in translating these technologies into clinical practice.

    Published: 14/08/26

  • Hydrogels, Bioplastics, and the Future of Biomaterials with Dr Favour Obuseh

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with Dr. Favour Obuseh about the ways in which hydrogels can be modified to improve their longevity inside the body. We discuss how manufacturing entangled hydrogels in situ not only increases their stability and stiffness, but also enables them to combine the best properties of both natural and synthetic hydrogels. Along the way, we explore the applications, challenges, and future directions of these materials.

    Published: 28/08/26

  • Targeting Brain Tumours with Dual-Trigger Nanoparticles with Michaela Prado

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with Michaela Prado about new technologies that ensure specificity in drug delivery to glioblastoma tumors. We dive into dual-trigger nanoparticles that react to the different conditions of the tumour microenvironment, namely overexpressed enzymes and a lower pH, to ensure that treatment is delivered directly to the harmful cells.

    Published: 11/09/26

  • Reprogramming Cells to Improve Quality of Life with Dr. Irene de Lázaro

    In this episode of Inside the Lab Coat, I speak with Dr. Irene de Lázaro about cellular reprogramming and its applications in modern medicine. We discuss mechanisms, challenges, and solutions to the delivery of the necessary transcriptor factors for cell reprogramming, particularly looking into the integration of nanoparticles into drug delivery.

    Published: 25/09/26