Episode 250: Infectious Disease Diagnostics: Superbugs, Zoonotic Threats, and the Next Pandemic

In the second episode of our miniseries on infectious disease diagnostics, Jonathan is joined by molecular epidemiologist Rodney Rohde, Regents’ Professor at Texas State University, USA. Together, they explore diagnostic innovations in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, gaps in zoonotic disease detection, and the persistent challenge of vaccine hesitancy.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:45 – Breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics

08:30 – Diagnostic tools to combat superbugs

14:18 – Can bacteriophages replace antibiotics?

19:04 – Controlling rabies and hantavirus

28:33 – Diagnostic successes and failures from COVID-19

35:22 – How do we address vaccine hesitancy?

44:10 – Preparing for the next pandemic

47:03 – Rohde's three wishes for healthcare