Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Injury to organs frequently results in impaired function due to the formation of scar tissue. Heart attacks and chronic high blood pressure can induce the formation of pathogenic fibroblasts, cells t…

Prion disorders are rare neurological diseases where a protein within the nervous system converts to a pathological form. The change in conformation affects other proteins, recruiting them to the mis…

Specific chemistries are used to protect crops from insects, weeds, fungi and other microbes. Legacy issues with some older pesticides led to restrictions or bans on their use. Unfortunately, suspici…

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression occurs via many mechanisms.  One method is the methylation of regulatory sequences that control the expression of specific genes. Methylation is the addition …

Recent reports criticized the lack of reproducibility in scientific publications, and this has profound effects on the public's trust in research results.  Today's interview is with Tim Errington, Di…

Proteins define the structure and function of cells. The human genome encodes tens of thousands of proteins, yet we know surprisingly little about most of their functions. The Human Protein Atlas use…

Many diseases do not have cures, yet from deleterious mutations in the genome. Many of these are rare disorders that do not benefit from extensive research or drug development. Current therapies mask…

Mosquitoes are the world's most dangerous animals, vectoring dozens of diseases. One of the major disease vectors is Ades aegypti, an invasive insect with an ever-expanding range. Municipalities have…

Heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death worldwide. Current treatments are aimed at prevention-- using various medications to control the health of the circulatory system.  This week's pod…

Apples are a beloved fruit, with over 8000 varieties available worldwide. The apples in the grocery store represent just a tiny section of apple genetic potential, a few flavors that ship well and ca…

The process of animal development is a complex coordination of different genes through time.  At least that's what we thought.  Dr. Michael Levin from Tufts University is forcing us to rethink these …

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas, TALEN or other tools allows scientists to make directed and precise changes in DNA.  The technologies promise to transform agriculture and medicine. But the application …

A significant number of fatalities are due to blood loss following accidents, injuries or medical procedures. While many methods can stop catastrophic bleeds, they take time and are not always succes…

Mycotoxins are carcinogenic compounds that arise from specific fungal infections in various crop plants, with corn and peanut being key examples.  In the industrialized world, governments monitor rel…

We are bombarded with information, but do we know what sources to trust and how to evaluate specific claims?  Melanie Tercek-King joins the podcast to discuss some fundamentals of critical thinking, …

In his new book Dr. Robert Paarlberg describes the current state of the food system, focusing on issues like industrial farming, organic farming, restaurants, biotechnology, and how technology will i…

Ticks are significant disease vectors, with an emerging scope of pathologies associated with tick bites. New technologies have accelerated the ability to genetically engineer ticks, creating new oppo…