Summary of Robert Langer: Edison of Medicine | Lex Fridman Podcast #105

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

In this interview, Robert Langer discusses his work in biomedical engineering and how it has the potential to improve the world. He talks about the importance of failure, the role of data in the discovery of drugs, and the challenges of tissue engineering. He also shares his advice on how to build a successful startup and discusses the philanthropic efforts of Bill Gates and David Koch.

00:00:00 Robert Langer discusses his research on biotechnology and how it bridges theory and practice. He notes that there is a duality to magic, where the audience understands how the trick works but the performer remains mysterious. He discusses how this applies to science, where some discoveries are surprising and magic tricks remain amazing despite being known to everyone.
00:05:00 Robert Langer has an h-index of 269 and has published over two hundred ninety five thousand papers, making him one of the most prolific scientists in history. He discusses the importance of failure and how it has helped him in his career. He also advises students to pursue ideas that have a large potential impact rather than those with a narrow scope.
00:10:00 Robert Langer discusses how difficult it is to control aspects of the human body, citing the blood vessel as an example. He goes on to explain how pharmaceutical drugs are discovered and developed.
00:15:00 Robert Langer discusses the history of angiogenesis inhibitors, including how he and his team isolated the first polymer molecules that could inhibit blood vessel growth. After years of experimentation,Avastin was approved by the FDA in 2004.
00:20:00 Robert Langer discusses the discovery process for drugs, discussing how serendipitous discovery and art are mixed together in the process. He also discusses the challenges of drug delivery and how smart drug delivery systems could be developed in the future.
00:25:00 Robert Langer discusses the potential for data-driven systems to play a role in the design and delivery of pharmaceuticals. He also discusses the role of AI in this field and the potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
00:30:00 Robert Langer, a renowned biomedical engineer, believes that tissue engineering will eventually be able to regenerate any organ or part of the human body. This is exciting news, as it suggests that many diseases and disabilities may eventually be treatable by using tissue engineering.
00:35:00 Robert Langer discusses the strengths and drawbacks of the patent system in medicine. He believes that without patents, new drugs and devices would not be developed, costing billions of dollars. However, he also acknowledges that the patent system can impede the spread of successful drugs.
00:40:00 Robert Langer shares his advice on how to build a successful startup, citing key factors such as good business people and a well-planned clinical trial strategy. He also stresses the importance of having a successful patenting process.
00:45:00 Robert Langer, a world-renowned scientist, discusses the importance of having a good team in order to achieve success, as well as his thoughts on the future of science. He also discusses the challenge of inspiring researchers to do their best work, and how he tries to keep the fire of passion burning among his team.
00:50:00 Robert Langer discusses the importance of funding research, stressing the need for a concrete vision before beginning any philanthropic endeavors. He also compares and contrasts the philanthropic efforts of David Koch and Bill Gates.
00:55:00 Robert Langer discusses his work in engineering and medicine, and how they have helped to improve the world. He also discusses his proudest accomplishments as a professor and scientist.

01:00:00 - 01:00:00

In this podcast, Robert Langer discusses the importance of creativity and innovation in the field of medicine. He talks about how the students that go through his lab have done well, and how they have been able to accomplish various things. He also quotes Bill Bryson, who discusses how humans are lucky to be alive and how achievement in any field is an achievement.