Sarah O'Connor
Research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology who studies plant biosynthetic pathways and led work elucidating the quinine/cinchona alkaloid biosynthesis.
Best podcasts with Sarah O'Connor
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Mar 18, 2026 • 16min
Botanical mystery solved: how plants make a crucial malaria drug
Dan Fox, science journalist who highlights recent research, and Sarah O'Connor, a Max Planck chemical ecology researcher who unraveled quinine biosynthesis. They trace the hunt for biochemical intermediates, isotope feeding tests, single-cell gene sleuthing, reconstituting the pathway in Nicotiana and making analogs. Short takes on battery durability and ancient parrot trade round out the conversation.
