AI in Oncology Takes Off, Tackling HIV and Liver Disease, Pharma’s Recent Gains

Some GEN editors were in sunny San Diego covering the hottest research, trends, and products from the American Association for Cancer Research meeting. We kick things off with news from America’s Finest City, particularly around the growing role of AI in oncology. Then we dive into two new research studies. In the first, scientists used CRISPR to identify genes in primary CD4+ T cells that promote or restrict HIV infection. The second study described engineered implantable liver constructs that could eventually serve as a stopgap for patients waiting for donor transplants. Finally, the acquisitions keep coming as Eli Lilly scoops up CAR T cell therapy developer Kelonia for $7B. Also, Revolution Medicines has shared some impressive data from a Phase III trial of its pancreatic cancer drug. Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD, Alex Philippidis, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.  Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:  AACR 2026: A Video Update from San Diego By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, and Damian Doherty, GEN, April 21, 2026AACR 2026 Video Update: Cancer Research Edges Toward an AI-Driven EraBy Fay Lin, PhD, and Jonathan Grinstein, PhD, GEN, April 22, 2026Using AI in Healthcare Ethically by Considering HumanityBy Corinna Singleman, PhD, IPM, November 18, 202510x Genomics Unveils Atera Spatial Platform at AACR Meeting By Julianna LeMieux, PhD, GEN, April 19, 2026CRISPR Screens Map Human T‑Cell Genes That Promote or Block HIV Infection GEN, April 20, 2026Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering Grow Liver Tissue In‑Body GEN, April 20, 2026 StockWatch: Revolution’s Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Data Dazzles Investors, Analysts By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 19, 2026 Lilly to Acquire Kelonia for Up to $7B, Expanding Cancer Cell Therapy Pipeline By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 20, 2026Touching Base Podcast Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD  Behind the Breakthroughs Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.