Ideas That Changed Medicine Convo with Bob Langer | Bob Langer | TEDxBoston

Quick Overview

Bob Langer attributes his long-standing success in drug delivery and tissue engineering to the foundational, cross-disciplinary approach he adopted early in his career, emphasizing that the most impactful ideas often come from combining disparate fields like engineering and biology, which was contrary to the conventional wisdom of the time.

Key Points: Langer's foundational success stems from his early decision to work at the intersection of engineering and biology, which was not conventional in 1976 when he published his key paper in Nature. He highlights that the most significant breakthroughs, like stopping blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) using microparticles, often arise from applying concepts from one field (like polymer chemistry) to another (like biology). Langer mentions that his early work helped establish the field of drug delivery, leading to products like Zoladex and Heparin, and that his lab has been involved in many successful biotech startups. He recalls that when he first presented his ideas, many established scientists and patent examiners considered them impossible, especially concerning the delivery of large molecules like proteins or DNA. Langer notes that his early mentor, Judah Folkman, hired unusual people, including those from other disciplines, which fostered a highly creative environment. He emphasizes the importance of data in AI development, stating that the more good data you have, the more powerful the AI can be, although he acknowledges that many biological problems still lack sufficient data. Langer mentions that he still enjoys teaching and mentoring, citing the success of his students and postdocs who have gone on to found many companies and academic departments.

Context: The video features an interview segment at a TEDxBoston event where renowned scientist and inventor Bob Langer discusses the origins of his groundbreaking work, particularly in biomaterials, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. The interviewer prompts Langer to reflect on his early career decisions, the nature of scientific discovery, and the importance of cross-disciplinary thinking, contrasting his approach with the established scientific norms of the 1970s.