In the third and final episode of our miniseries on infectious disease diagnostics, Jonathan sits down with global diagnostics leader Rosanna Peeling, Professor and Chair of Diagnostics Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Together, they explore the life-saving role of diagnostics in global health, from battling STDs to confronting COVID-19, and examine how equitable access, social innovation, and regulatory reform can transform disease control and pandemic preparedness.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

06:09 – Rosanna’s interest in microbiology

08:12 – The IDC’s work

10:52 – Funding for diagnostics

13:30 – Diagnostic testing in low-resource settings

18:21 – Chlamydia research

24:19 – Regulatory approval challenges

29:35 – Social innovation

34:08 – Clinician adaptation

37:10 – Current diagnostic innovations

40:30 – Rosana’s three wishes for healthcare

In this episode, Jonathan Sackier kicks off a special miniseries on lung cancer with Haval Balata, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. From the Manchester Lung Health Check to robotic bronchoscopy, Balata shares insights into pioneering early detection efforts, the challenge of public misconceptions, and innovations reshaping lung cancer screening and diagnosis.

Timestamps:

03:12 – Inspiration to specialise
04:09 – Early diagnosis barriers
08:02 – Manchester Lung Health Check
14:10 – Robot-assisted bronchoscopy
19:24 – Public misconceptions
28:57 – Risk stratification & follow-up
34:24 – Innovations in early detection
37:10 – Hopes for the future
41:22 – Three healthcare wishes