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PODCAST

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Talking Biotech is a weekly podcast that uncovers the stories, ideas and research of people at the frontier of biology and engineering. Each episode explores how science and technology will transform agriculture, protect the environment, and feed 10 billion people by 2050. Interviews are led by Dr. Kevin Folta, a professor of molecular biology and genomics.

science life sciences

All Episodes

28:03

Status of the Biotech Salmon - Silvia Wulf

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2023/01/28

Salmon are outstanding table fare, featuring flavor and nutrition. The AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically engineered salmon that is resistant to changes in growth due to seasonal fluctuation or the stresses encountered in traditional ocean-net salmon farms. Despite the advantages, the salmon has been caught in deregulation for many years, limiting consumer access. Silvia Wulf of AquAdvantage talks about the current status of availability, the technology, the criticisms and the future of

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50:53

Stopping Long-Term Disease by Arresting Aging - Dr....

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2023/01/21

The mythical Fountain of Youth may be an actual component of our physiology. Aging is not simply the body breaking down against the calendar, it is a coordinated series of molecular/biochemical changes that occur with time. There is an active hypothesis that later-life medical issues are not just happening as we age, but are actually caused by aging, meaning there are potential drug targets that may slow the process. BioAge performed -omics level analysis on populations of aging

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58:21

The Risks of Manufactured Viruses - Dr. Kevin Esvelt

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2023/01/14

What are the risks associated with being able to create custom DNA? Today's podcast discusses the potential weaponization of synthesized nucleic acid sequences. Dr. Kevin Esvelt discusses synthetic DNA and synthetic viruses, along with the possibility that they may drive the next pandemics or become the basis for future biological weapons. The dark realities are discussed, along with surveillance and mitigation strategies, as well as the broken social trust that could fuel a human-made

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41:21

Biotech Fetal Diagnostics - Daniel Weisman

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2023/01/07

If a genetic disorder can be detected in the developing fetus, it provides families and physicians vital information that can guide important decisions. From family planning to medical intervention, new molecular techniques are being employed to detect potential anomalies as early as 10 weeks after conception. The modern genetic counselor is an expert at communicating the results of these tests, building trust to advise decisions that benefit the parents and the child.

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36:08

Brexit May Bring Gene Editing to the UK- Cameron...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/12/31

While there are many views on Brexit, one certain benefit is the UK's self-governing role in scientific regulatory affairs. The EU's position on genetic engineering has perplexed its scientists, as they create solutions for EU farmers that may never be implemented. Now out from the EU's onerous non-scientific regulatory oversight, the UK may choose to deregulate gene editing. Cameron English talks about the proposed regulatory changes and how they may benefit the UK's farmers and

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36:41

Releasing the Biotech Blight Resistant Chestnut -...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/12/24

The American chestnut was a dominant tree in many forests in the eastern United States. In the late 1800's an imported fungus spread rapidly throughout the range, destroying most of the trees in a matter of decades. Scientists at the State University of New York have engineered trees to host a gene from wheat that disarms the fungal invader, breaking the production of an acid required for infection. This strategy allows the tree and the fungus to live together without infection. Erik

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36:23

New Cancer Drugs: Breaking the Cell Cycle -- Spiro...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/12/17

The "cell cycle" describes discrete steps in the process of cell division. The progression is mediated by a series of gatekeeping biochemical activities that ensure complete replication of DNA, and surveil it for fidelity. Precise execution of cell cycle is necessary for normal growth and development. At the same time, loss of cell cycle coordination can lead to aberrant cell proliferation that can become genetically unstable, a condition recognized as cancer. Many drugs target the

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54:08

Bioengineering Yeast for Better Beer - Dr. Charles Denby

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/12/10

Beer is a beverage derived from the fermentation of grain by yeast. Hops impart their specific flavor and aroma notes. Together these ingredients produce a vast array of flavors and aromas that have become extremely popular in modern beer circles. Like any industrial workhorse organism, brewing yeast is significantly different from its wild antecedents. It has been bred to perform in fermentation, while creating metabolites that touch the senses of the consumer. Berkeley Yeast is taking

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20:11

Genes Controlling Plant Size

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/12/03

Bigger plants are better, right? Not always. Control of plant or tree size can have many advantages, and genetic control of 'dwarf' phenotypes has been important in feeding a billion people. The problem is that the changes induced by dwarfing genes can have a negative effect on other aspects of plant biology, so identifying new genes to control size is an important goal. Dr. Philippa Borrill is a group leader at the John Innes Center, and she recently discovered a gene that contributes to

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65:59

As Gods: A Moral History of the Genetic Age - Matthew...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/11/26

The modern era of genetic engineering has opened tremendous opportunities in medicine and agriculture. But who governs when the technology should be applied? Similar questions were asked in the 1970s at the dawn of recombinant DNA technology. In his new book As Gods - A Moral History of the Genetic Age, Prof. Matthew Cobb discusses these watershed moments in molecular biology, and discusses his views on the newest applications in gene drives, human germline gene editing, and

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41:18

The Genomes of Parasites - Dr. Jessie Kissinger

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/11/19

Parasites are known contributors to human disease and suffering, spanning a wide range of organisms. Dr. Jessie Kissinger from the University of Georgia has spent the last two decades curating genomic data from hundreds of parasites, their vectors and hosts. The information helps researchers generate hypotheses about parasites, and presents a fertile resources for comparing genomes and understanding similarities and differences across this diverse set of organisms. VEuPathDB.org (Vector

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37:21

Cancer Misinformation - Dr. Skyler Johnson

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/11/12

"Cancer" is the generic term applying to any one of many cellular proliferative disorders that threaten normal physiology. Various cancers have specific etiologies and require expertise in detection and treatment. New therapies are as innovative as they are promising, and a once dreaded prognosis now may have increased opportunity for cure, with better therapies on the horizon. But as it goes, with innovation comes resistance, and false information about cancer and its treatment flourish

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48:20

Livestock, Climate Change, and Attacks on a Scientist...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/11/05

Animal agriculture contributes greenhouse gases that can influence climate change. One source in particular is cattle, as ruminant livestock produce methane from their specialized digestion, which is an especially potent greenhouse gas. Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the University of California Davis is an air quality expert in the area of ruminant biology. His research examines ways to mitigate the impact of livestock on climate, and his outreach efforts ensure that the information reaches the

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37:43

A Gene-Edited Vaccine Against Malaria - Dr. Stefan Kappe

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/10/29

The mosquito is the most deadly animal on earth. It vectors a plasmodium, a eukaryotic parasite that invades the liver of the host and ultimately attacks red blood cells. There are some therapies and preventatives, but a durable vaccine would be a game changer in the Developing World. Dr. Stefan Kappe and his team have developed a vaccine based on the weakened plasmodium parasite. They used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disrupt genes required for life cycle progression, so the vaccinated

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62:57

Seralini's Lumpy Rats - Ten Years Later

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/10/22

Ten years ago the biotech world froze and horrific images of three tumor-ridden rats penetrated the media. Social media erupted with messages of fear, and anti-biotech activists celebrated the scientific publication that conclusively linked biotech crops and an associated herbicide to cancer and early death. But at the same time a scientific community noted the shortcomings of the work. Eventually the paper was retracted, and independent research commissioned by the European Union failed to

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47:37

New Therapeutics for Novel Problems through...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/10/08

Dr. Betsy O'neill, VP of External Innovation at Horizon Therapeutics describes how strategic partnerships can assist biotech startups in moving new therapies through development to deployment. She discusses her company's collaborative approach, and how working together can assist in efforts to navigate the challenging business and regulatory environment.

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28:50

The Long COVID HERV Connection - Dr. Claudia Matteucci

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/10/01

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genome-resident relics of ancient infections. They comprise 8% of the human genome, and are activated by viral infections. Proteins like HERV-W and HERV-K accumulate following infections and have been causally connected to Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Scientists have now observed that SARS-CoV2 infection also induces expression of specific HERV proteins. Prof. Claudia Matteucci discusses the role of HERVs and their tie to

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30:43

Purple Tomatoes and Health - Dr. Cathie Martin

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/09/24

Anthocyanins are a class of plant pigments associated with healthful qualities in food. While research continues to assess their true health benefits in vivo, there is no question that the attractive fruits stimulate the senses and bring novelty to the diet. Dr. Cathie Martin of the John Innes Center in Norwich, England discusses the technology behind the purple tomato, its potential benefits to animal health, its effects on tomato shelf life, and the recent USDA nod to release of the

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40:02

Rapid Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/09/17

Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydial and gonorrhea are making a comeback, especially with younger demographics. Part of the problem is the stigma of examination and testing. These are not trivial infections, and can result in more complicated syndromes, which could include sterility or issues reproductive health. Early, discrete, confidential detection is key. Today's guest is Dr. Anna Dixon. She's the Chief Technology Officer of Binx Health. Her company has devised a

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42:21

The Gut-Brain Axis: What it is, associated problems...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2022/09/10

Communication between the digestive system and brain is much more intricate than previously thought. The digestive epithelium is laced with sensors that monitor the contents of the gut, reporting back to the brain, stimulating appropriate hormones and digestive action to guide motility, chemistry, and absorption. This network is frequently referred to as the 'second brain' because of the dense neurophysiology at work. Recently it has been hypothesized that dysfunction in the gut-brain axis

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