
Bio Break: Groundbreaking Discoveries in Infectious Disease
In this episode of Bio Break, Nick shares one of his favorite discoveries in the world of infectious disease research — the groundbreaking discovery of Helicobacter pylori and its role in causing peptic ulcers. This fascinating story showcases how persistence, scientific curiosity, and innovative thinking can lead to discoveries that reshape medical science.
The discovery of Helicobacter pylori dates back to the 1980s, when Australian physicians Barry Marshall and Robin Warren suspected that stomach ulcers were not caused by stress or spicy foods, as commonly believed, but by a bacterium. Through determination and clever research, they identified Helicobacter pylori — a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium — as the culprit. Their discovery wasn’t without challenges. Early laboratory cultures of patient swabs yielded no growth, as H. pylori requires low-oxygen environments and longer incubation periods to grow. It was only after a fortunate weekend delay that colonies finally appeared, changing the course of the study.
Nick recounts how, to prove their theory, Barry Marshall famously ingested a pure culture of H. pylori. This led to him developing gastritis and an ulcer, definitively proving the bacteria’s role. Thankfully, he treated the infection with antibiotics, validating the hypothesis and demonstrating that ulcers could be cured through antimicrobial therapy rather than solely through lifestyle changes.
This discovery revolutionized gastroenterology and earned Marshall and Warren the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005. In this video, Nick and Joris highlight not only the scientific process behind the discovery but also the risks and innovation that make research in infectious diseases so exciting.
If you’re fascinated by microbiology, medical device development, and real-world medical breakthroughs, this story of discovery is one you won’t want to miss.
Groundbreaking Discoveries in Infectious Disease
For Startups or Founders developing a device that incorporates novel technology or is like nothing else, the FDA breakthrough medical device program may be the best regulatory option. Learn more.
Related Resources

Nick and Nigel discuss an often-overlooked but increasingly relevant form of drug delivery: suppositories. While typically considered old-fashioned, suppositories are experiencing a resurgence in modern MedTech thanks to their versatility, systemic absorption benefits, and emerging formulation technologies.

Mark and Ariana explore the surprising versatility of barium sulfate—a material used widely in both diagnostic procedures and medical device manufacturing. While many recognize it as the contrast agent you drink before an X-ray, it’s also a key additive that enhances plastic components across the healthcare industry.

We explore a groundbreaking shift in how Alzheimer’s disease may soon be diagnosed. Instead of relying on invasive spinal taps or costly PET scans, researchers have developed a blood test that detects key proteins associated with the disease—offering a more accessible and patient-friendly screening method.

We explore how breath testing in medical devices is transforming diagnostics. Mark Drlik walks through how this technology supports everything from roadside impairment detection to gastrointestinal analysis.