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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

135:15

Debunking Jeffrey Smith

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/09/25

We must be dedicated to fighting back against false information in food and medicine. Jeffery Smith is a personality with no scientific training that has used disinformation to taint an important public discussion on biotechnology for over 25 years. One of the ways he does this is to hijack legitimate scientific venues, making them think he conveys actual information. He then uses their media to push his false information that ultimately affects the public trust in food, farming and

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38:04

Influencing a Conversation with a #ScienceHug

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/09/19

In this week of technical failures and personal challenges, this week’s podcast investigates the merits of civil conversation. In an angry online environment, can we use the tools of trust building, listening, and empathy to build trust and have greater influence? I discuss my current circumstances and the status of the social media discussion of vaccine hesitancy and genetic engineering. Can we influence the acceptance of good technology with a soft touch? Can we win more hearts and

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42:12

Relax and Enjoy Your Food

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/09/11

There is no such thing as bad food, it is just bad diets, so says Craig Good. Various life events caused him to rethink his relationship with food, and a keen skepticism led him to carefully evaluate the mistakes we make, the myths we accept, and the potential reasons we have an epidemic of diet-related illness and an internet packed with fad diets. The punchline is common sense, but comes after a discussion of food facts, psychology, and a prescription for healthy eating.Follow Craig on

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58:46

Misinformation and GMOs

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/09/04

How does misinformation about genetically engineered crops (GMOs) start and how do we correct it? These are questions asked by Prof. Robert Bird of the University of Connecticut. Prof. Bird discusses how an errant article can become the basis of misinformation spread, and how communicators can help push back against misinformation. Sign up for the online class here. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research

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63:42

Glyphosate Residues and Dietary Exposure

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/08/28

The herbicide glyphosate has been used for decades, with increased use paralleling the adoption of genetically engineered crops. The compound has a strong safety record and international regulatory consensus stating no unique health risks when used as directed. However, claims of cancer risk have increased in social media and websites, despite only cursory and/or circumstantial evidence of any actual causality. Juries have supported class-action lawsuits with substantial payouts based on

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73:06

Florida’s COVID Response / Long COVID

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/08/21

Today’s podcast features two interviews about COVID19. The first is an interview with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. Commissioner Fried has been an outspoken critic of the state’s handling of the pandemic, she pulls no punches about the errors in policy, and discusses her efforts and vision for a COVID-free future. In the second half Brady Holmer discusses long COVID. As the pandemic continues unfortunate patterns are emerging with regard to chronic cognitive,

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27:40

Early Cancer Detection with Liquid Biopsy

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/08/14

Many cancers are much more curable if detected early. However, the current suite of detection methods are slow, expensive and can’t detect a problem until it is advanced. Dr. Steven Quake of the Chan-Zukerberg Biohub is working with a group to perfect the liquid biopsy. Using just a patient’s blood, the test strive to identify cell-free RNA and /or DNA that often is shed into the bloodstream from solid tumors. Detection of such molecules may help diagnosticians identify cellular

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61:18

Last Minute Guests!

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/08/07

Yay for gremlins! Technical difficulties precluded the planned podcast, but that didn’t stop two good interviews from materializing a the last minute. Cameron Siggs is an attorney in south Florida. He came into a conversation in a Whole Foods Market that demonstrated the power of engagement and kind dialogue. In the second half we visit with registered dietitian Leah McGrath about farmers markets, seasonal produce and strange consumer expectations. Two great interviews with excellent

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25:36

Activating Suites of Plant Genes with Cas9

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/07/31

The role of Cas9 as an editing/deletion nuclease has been well established, but can it be used to turn genes on? Dr. Yiping Qi of the University of Maryland has developed a system where Cas9’s specificity is used to recruit gene expression activation factors to plant promoters. The approach allows activation of sets of genes associated with disease resistance or other useful plant traits.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s

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37:41

COVID19 Detection in Masks and Wearables

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/07/24

COVID19 is the spectrum of pathologies caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. While the pandemic moves well into its second year, the importance of detection in populations cannot be overstated. However, testing methods typically include visiting testing centers, and it is hard to find a test that is both rapid and precise. Dr. Peter Ngyuen is a scientist with the Wyss Institute that has designed wearable sensors to detect specific viruses. We talk about the amazing synthetic biology technology

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28:29

Virus Resistant Cassava in Kenya

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/07/17

Cassava is a staple for one in ten people on earth, grown mostly by small famers tending a few acres. One of the challenges is insect-vectored virus Cassava Brown-Streak Virus that destroys the root. Scientists from Africa and the Danforth Center in St. Louis MO, USA have collaborated to create a cassava line that is genetically engineered to suppress the virus. The approach is similar to what was done to save the papaya in Hawaii, essentially using a portion of the virus sequence to shut

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64:32

The Battle to Teach Science

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/07/10

Episode 300 is guest-hosted by Ally Kennedy. She interviews Dr. Kevin Folta about the obstacles to communicating science over the last decade. From a libelous piece in the New York Times, to coordinated smear campaigns, and a university’s rejection of academic freedom, they discuss the details of these events and their impact on Folta’s ag/science communication efforts. It is an eye-opening discussion of the battles faced for stepping into a public discussion, along with the personal and

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65:06

Revisiting Huber’s Claims

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/07/03

He jet-sets around the planet and writes letters to government officials, brandishing academic and military credentials. He speaks with authority as an affiliate of a land-grant university. His claims rattle audiences and frighten regulators in the Developing World. Dr. Don M. Huber is a Professor Emeritus at Purdue University. Over the last decade he has taken the point to denigrate agricultural biotechnology and its associated chemistries. Many of his fantastical claims are patently

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59:37

Good Science Information vs Disinformation Feedback...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/06/26

The Genetic Literacy Project is a popular science news website. A diverse set of articles and viewpoints are presented, with original articles and news aggregated from the internet. Over the last decade the website as been accused of simply being a “front” for the seed industry, even though there is no such tie to these businesses. Such accusations are levied by websites and NGOs that reject the science presented. A recent expose’ in the Genetic Literacy Project analyzed the

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61:56

Smart People, Bad Food Choices

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/06/19

Jack Bobo has been studying food, farming and the associated psychology for decades, asking questions about the choices people make around food. His recent book Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices addresses the psychology of value, risk and food choice.Follow Jack Bobo on Twitter : @Jack_A_Bobo Futurity website here. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at

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30:55

Turning Plastic Waste Into Vanilla

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/06/12

We have two major problems. Vanilla is mostly produced in a narrow set of unstable economies and the supply chains are especially vulnerable. There is massive demand for vanilla flavoring. The other major problem is plastic bottles. Plastic waste from PET bottles creates a massive environmental hazard, and is purely unsustainable. What if those bottles could be used as a substrate to produce useful compounds, like vanilla flavoring? Dr. Joanna Sadler asked that exact question and

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39:09

Evidence of Widespread Gene Transfer

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/06/05

Analysis of massive genomic DNA sequence data indicates that gene transfer between similar species actually happened, and did so at a surprising rate. Today’s podcast with Dr. Luke Dunning of University of Sheffield discusses his recent findings that indicate grasses are sharing genes with each other. It is an interesting discussion about horizontal gene transfer, from its mechanism, to its outcomes, to its effect on genetic variation and evolution.Follow Dr. Dunning on Twitter Dunning

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37:08

Widespread GMOs in Nature

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/05/29

One of the major objections to genetic engineering is that a DNA segment is transferred to the crop, and lands in a somewhat random location. That’s because genetic engineering largely uses Agrobacterium to perform the genetic exchange. But Agrobacterium came from nature, and there is significant evidence that DNA transfer events have been happening for thousands to millions of years. Dr. Leon Otten has been studying Agrobacterium for decades, and now is identifying recent evidence that

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39:05

Debunking the Disinformation Dozen

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/05/22

Dr. Dan Wilson is a rising star of science communication. His popular YouTube channel Debunk the Funk provides entertaining and evidence-based dissection of issues around science, vaccination and COVID19. In this issue of the Talking Biotech Podcast we discuss science communication, his motivations, and the recent dissection of the Disinformation Dozen. We cover recent vaccine disinformation as well as the role of universities and younger scientists in science communication.Follow Debunk

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32:06

Peptoids as Therapeutic Tools

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2021/05/15

Peptides have increasingly emerging roles in cellular signaling and anti-microbial applications. Peptioids are cousins of their active peptide analogs, only synthesized with a durable bond that helps the molecule evade cellular turnover mechanisms. Dr. Gill Diamond of the University of Louisville discusses the chemistry of peptoids and their applications as anti-virals, including targeting SARS-CoV2. The pipeline of new compounds is discussed with a myriad of potential application in

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