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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

34:37

The Mexico GMO Corn Controversy - Luis Ventura

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2025/02/24

This conversation explores the complex relationship between corn and Mexico, focusing on its cultural, economic, and agricultural significance. The discussion highlights the moratorium on genetically engineered (GM; GMO) corn, the public perception of biotechnology, and the impact of environmental NGOs on policy decisions. The conversation also delves into the perspectives of farmers regarding the need for access to biotechnology and the implications of recent presidential decrees on corn

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40:48

Synthetic Biology and Natural Products - Dr. Philipp...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2025/02/01

This conversation explores the intersection of natural products and synthetic biology, emphasizing the importance of science communication and outreach. Julia Ball shares her passion for connecting the public with plant science, while Dr. Philip Zerbe discusses the potential of synthetic biology in producing valuable natural products, particularly terpenoids. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating the public about biotechnology and the role of synthetic

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39:00

Designing New Proteins with A.I. - Stefan Van Grieken

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2025/01/25

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Steph van Grieken, CEO of Cradle, about the revolutionary intersection of AI and protein engineering. They discuss the central role of proteins in biological systems, the innovative software Cradle is developing to enhance protein design, and the implications of these advancements for therapeutics and industrial applications. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations and potential misuse of this

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40:44

Garden Biotech- The Purple Tomato, Dr. Nathan Pumplin

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2025/01/14

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the introduction of the Purple Tomato by Norfolk Healthy Produce. Dr. Nathan Pumplin, CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce, shares insights on the development, consumer reception, and regulatory landscape surrounding this innovative product. The conversation highlights the importance of consumer education and the potential for biotechnology to address health and nutritional needs. Dr. Pumplin discusses the technology and

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74:59

Disinformation Warfare Against Food, Farming and...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2025/01/05

Social media teems with false information about food and farming. Influencers cover Instagram and Facebook with claims that food is poison and farmers are "dousing" crops in dangerous chemicals. It is a disinformation campaign that is founded on the fact that Americans make poor food and lifestyle choices, but instead of blaming our behaviors, they blame food and medicine, pushing bogus high-profit alternatives. But is there something nefarious here? Has this online suspicion of our

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38:10

Mpox- The Virus, Transmission and Treatment - John Rizk

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/11/30

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta interviews John Rizk, a pharmacist and epidemiologist, about M-Pox (formerly known as monkeypox). They discuss the emergence of M-Pox, its characteristics, transmission, symptoms, and recovery. The conversation also covers risk factors, diagnosis, vaccination strategies, treatment options, and the importance of health equity in access to vaccines. John emphasizes the need for more research and randomized control trials to better

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41:19

Anticipating Future Limiters of Biotech Applications...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/11/17

n this episode, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Joe Damond about the rapidly evolving landscape of life sciences, particularly focusing on gene and cell therapies. They discuss the exciting advancements in medical technology, the economic challenges associated with developing new therapies, and the implications for healthcare systems and patient access. The conversation also touches on the role of providers in administering these advanced treatments, the global disparities in access to

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28:19

Apeel: A Solution to Food Waste - Jennny Du

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/11/09

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta interviews Jenny Du, co-founder and senior vice president of operations at Apeel, a company focused on reducing food waste through innovative post-harvest technology. They discuss the significant issue of food waste, particularly in fresh produce, and how Apeel's products work to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by addressing moisture loss and oxidation. The conversation delves into the science behind Appeal's

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50:50

Trees that Survive Citrus Greening - Gary England

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/10/19

Citrus greening disease or HLB has severely impacted Florida citrus production. And while many solutions have been proposed, there is interest in a number of trees that have shown to not show symptoms of the disease. This week's episode discusses the disease with retired extension specialist Gary England as he evaluates "survivor" trees. These trees continue to produce even when infected, and may provide insights into resistance to the disease, as well as provide genetics to maintain the

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47:18

The New Face of Anti-Ag Pseudoscience - Vance Crowe

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/10/12

In this conversation, Dr. Kevin Folta and Vance Crowe discuss the evolving landscape of agriculture communication, the rise of pseudoscience, and the cultural shifts affecting public trust in science. Vance shares his journey from working at Monsanto to founding Legacy Interviews, emphasizing the importance of capturing personal stories. They explore the challenges posed by influencers spreading misinformation about food safety and the implications of legal battles surrounding glyphosate

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28:45

Biotech Enhancement of Protein in World Staple Crops...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/10/05

Protein is essential for normal human development and physiology, yet is a significant global deficiency. World food staple crops like rice, wheat, cassava, and potato have relatively protein levels, yet constitute a significant portion of calories consumed. Dr. Ling Li of Mississippi State University has identified that overexpression of a gene called NF-YC4 can lead to higher protein accumulation. Her team used gene editing to remove promoter elements that suppress expression of this

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50:57

Update on Controlled Environment Agriculture - Chris...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/08/31

Two decades ago the idea of growing crops indoors seemed like an excellent way to grow food closer to urban centers. Greenhouses and 100% indoor operations grew with significant investment. Years later we see that major efforts have not succeeded. What have we learned and where is the industry going? We speak with Chris Higgins, President and CEO of HortAmericas, a company that supplies equipment to the industry. We discuss the major hurdles in profitable greenhouse and indoor farm

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34:14

The GMO Tree You Never Heard About - Dr. Chris...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/08/17

We regularly discuss a small suite of commercial crops that have been genetically enhanced with transgenes. However, one additional genotype was transformed long ago, and approved for use in the USA, Canada and EU-- but nobody talks about it much. It is the plum resistant to plum pox virus (PPV), a devastating virus of stonefruits. While rare in the USA, it is endemic throughout the rest of the northern hempisphere, and certainly could become a problem. Dr. Chris Dardick of the USDA-ARS

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59:17

Anti-GMO Hawaii Memories; A Career in Ag Science -...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/08/10

In 2013 a number of county ordinances sought to end the use of biotech crops on various Hawaiian islands. Hawaii's warm year-'round climate permits several corn seasons a year, so seed corn for the mainland is produced in these locations. However, these technologies are not appreciated by a subset of the population, who see these companies as poisoning paradise. Drs. Steve Savage and Kevin Folta were brought to Kauai by the Hawaiian Crop Improvement Association to speak to business leaders

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34:53

Enabling Local Production of Protein Therapeutics -...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/08/04

Great products and ideas are everywhere, yet limited by the ability to actually produce them in needed quantitites. The technologies from Sunflower Therapeutics enable bioprocess applications throughout the globe in a deployable unit with a small footprint. Dr. Kerry Love describes the technology and it's applications, along with the philosophy of a public benefit corporation that seeks to meet the needs from small startups to remote ressearchers.

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50:35

Measuring the Health of T-Cells - Dr. Nigel...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/07/27

T-cells are a critical part of the adaptive immune system, actively targeting problematic invaders. From pathogens to cancers, T-cells seek and destroy potentially dangerous cells, and maintain a memory of their presence. In today's episode Dr. Nigel McCracken describes this part of the adaptive immune system and how Virax Biolabs is using specialized tests to ascertain the presence and activity of T-cells activated by specific pathogens, such as Epstein-Barr Virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes

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44:04

Resistance to Correction, Breaking Trust in Science -...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/07/21

Disinformation clouds the public understanding of science, especially technology in agriculture and medicine. So when a leading journal publishes false information, academic experts have an obligation to help correct the process. This may be done via a variety of methods, but cordial and collegial discussion is the first step. When that fails, notes to editors and authors are in order. When that fails, written point-by-point rebuttals are required. But what happens when that fails? An

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42:32

Your Role in Editing Wikipedia - Susan Gerbic

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/06/29

Wikipedia is the go-to source for many people when starting to research a subject. But is the information correct, or does the information even exist in Wikipedia at all? Susan Gerbic has been training people to edit Wikipedia pages through the Gorilla Skeptics of Wikipedia project. They have edited tens of thousands of pages with over 16 million views. Susan describes the process as well as how you can be involved in correcting online false information.

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32:06

Gene Editing in Specialty Crops - Dr. Tom Adams, CEO...

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/06/22

Crop genetic engineering has focused primarily on large-acreage crops like corn. But what about the universe of specialty crops that tantalize consumers, things like blackberries or salad greens? Pairwise has used precision twists on gene editing to change specific traits in fruit and vegetable crops. Pairwise founder and CEO, Dr. Tom Adams, discusses the current progress, general philosophy, and moonshot plans for bringing exciting new specialty crops to market.

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33:33

Special Panel - From Pre-Clinical to Clinical Trials

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta ·

2024/06/15

Advancement of a new drug from pre-clinical trials to clinical trials is a pivotal time in validation of its therapeutic effects and safety. A panel of experts discusses the process.

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473 results

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