We Love Science Podcast

In the Season 3 finale, We Love Science presents a special episode ALL ABOUT FOOD!! Specifically, we discuss how CRISPR gene editing technology is being used to improve our food and agricultural industry. Gene editing in plants has two main goals. The first goal satisfies consumer preferences for food enjoyment, like improved taste and freshness. The second category of food edits is aimed at solving food supply issues and the growing food insecurity. To this end, researchers have targeted agricultural traits for improvement. CRISPR gene editing has also been used to improve our livestock and fish supply. While most of these products are still in development, some CRISPR gene-edited foods are already commercially available in the United States and abroad. https://lnkd.in/ekYcMspK Tune in to learn about: ·    How CRISPR gene editing can save our oceans' coral reefs from the effects of climate change ·    Where to find conscious greens engineered to taste better, and the non-browning banana that stays fresh longer ·    Food engineered to improve the eating experience: blackberries, cherries, and mandarins  ·    More nutritious tomatoes that can strengthen the immune system  ·    How CRISPR is being used to improve agriculture with increased crop yield, disease-resistant crops etc. ·    The delicious flatbread, Injera, made from Teff grain ·    CRISPR-edited animals in the U.S and Japan ·    Listener Spotlight: Dave in Japan  Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes: Ep 35: The first CRISPR Chronicles episode: How CRISPR gene therapy is bringing hope to the world Ep 38: A foundational discussion explaining the secret behind CRISPR gene therapy  Ep 41: A look into the ups and downs of how the CRISPR saga developed Ep 47: The CRISPR Cure for Sickle Cell Disease Ep 50: CRISPR clinical trials  Ep 53: Safety and Ethics in human genome engineering

The egg color saga continues as Fatu Badiane Markey, PhD and Shekerah Primus, PhD look into how domesticated birds like chickens and turkeys got their egg colors. In the previous episode, we learned that the breed of chicken is responsible for egg color and this is all linked to the genetics of the rooster and hen. In the US for example, Leghorn chickens are the most common breed for egg-laying and they always produce white eggs, while Orpington’s lay brown eggs and Ameraucana lay blue eggs. Through many years of research, scientists have discovered exactly which genes in chickens are associated with egg color. For chickens that lay blue eggs like the Ameraucana and Dongxiang they both have the SLCO1B3 gene. And even more interesting, this gene has a specific mutation caused by an avian retrovirus that directly changes the way this gene is expressed to produce the blue egg color. So it is both the presence of the SLCO1B3 gene and the avian retrovirus mutation in Ameraucana and Dongxiang that is responsible for the trait of blue egg color. Even with the whole spectrum of the colors available to chicken eggs, consumer preference and culture ultimately determine what color eggs are sold around the world. Europeans have different color preferences compared to Americans and Japanese and this leads to the different egg colors across countries. To hear more about chicken egg color, and even turkey egg color listen to the episode. Tune into this episode to learn more about: Bird egg color, genetics, and evolution What specific genes are associated with bird egg color and how those genes are passed down with each generation How an avian retrovirus is connected to blue gg color Turkey eggs and how they get their colors If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more: Ep 44: The Colorful Life of Bird Eggs Ep 38: The Secret behind CRISPR Gene Editing Ep 39: The Art of Science - The Work https://lnkd.in/eEsW5zaV

In this episode of "We Love Science," hosts Shekerah Primus, PhD and Fatu Badiane Markey, PhD delve into the safety and ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR gene editing technology. Joined by special guest Irina Gostimskaya we explore the complexities and implications of advances in biomedical technology, including the use of CRISPR in humans. The main purpose of ethical guidelines in biomedicine is to protect patients and ensure responsible scientific conduct. Past abuses of biomedical technology including inhumane medical experiments set the stage for modern bioethics. Key moments that shaped current ethical guidelines include: the 1947 Nuremberg Code developed after the trial of Nazi doctors, and the 1978 Belmont Report issued in response to an unethical Syphilis study conducted on African American men. Throughout the decades, groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology have compelled the scientific community to unite in discussion to create new guidelines for their responsible and ethical use. The advent of CRISPR genetic engineering has been met with the same commitment to responsible application of the technology and ethical biomedical conduct. Tune in to learn about: ·    Historical context of Bioethics ·    Safety concerns with DNA manipulation ·    CRISPR-specific safety issues ·    Ethical challenges with CRISPR gene editing ·    The CRISPR babies scandal Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes: ·    Ep 35: The first CRISPR Chronicles episode: How CRISPR gene therapy is bringing hope to the world ·    Ep 38: A foundational discussion explaining the secret behind CRISPR gene therapy  ·    Ep 41: A look into the ups and downs of how the CRISPR saga developed ·    Ep 47: The CRISPR Cure for Sickle Cell Disease ·    Ep 50: CRISPR clinical trials https://lnkd.in/eFhbBD8F

We continue our conversation with Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to learn more about his career journey. Richard’s first science spark moment hit him very clearly when he was a young high schooler– he experienced first hand a lunar eclipse with his friends and this experience instilled in him a wonder for the natural world and the interconnectivity of all things. As a high school student, however, his mind was not focused yet on a potential career path; he just wanted to be cool. Once Richard entered college, he dedicated his time to find a suitable career path and spent weeks reading countless books in the college library. After reading hundreds of pages, Richard was still undecided. But he came to a wonderful conclusion: “I did realize one thing. I was limited in my understanding of what was in any of those books only by the amount of mathematics I could understand." This drive to fill in the gaps of his knowledge led Richard to pursue a degree in mathematics with a minor in physical chemistry. From his undergraduate coursework, Richard also gained an appreciation for the role of the observer within biology and this inspired him to go to medical school. His first week in medical school, however, came as a shock, when he realized there were no equations in his anatomy textbooks. After Richard graduated medical school, he had a full career as a doctor and academic. Although he has written many peer-reviewed articles throughout that time, it was not until much later in life that he considered writing books to share his ideas with broader audiences. When Richard reflects back on the many influential mentors who impacted his journey, he is grateful for two mentors he had as a post-doc after medical school. His mentors helped him to understand how to think and reason, which are lessons he carries even to this day. Now that he is retired, Richard notes that the best and worst thing about retirement is waking up and having to decide what to do everyday. Currently his family and grandchildren help him to fill the time and truly feel fulfilled in life. Listen to the episode to hear more! https://lnkd.in/gEccRbF5 In this episode, Richard will share with us: The defining moments that inspired his scientific pursuits The impact of mentorship in developing a new way of thinking about the world What to look forward to once you reach retirement You can find Richard’s latest book online: Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding our Place in the Universe Reach out to Richard by email: [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, also be sure to check out: Ep. 27 From Post doc to Assistant Professor: The Journey - https://lnkd.in/eWmDa9Ar 

In this episode of We Love Science, Fatu Badiane Markey, PhD and Shekerah Primus, PhD explore a world that few modern-day scientists have explored, the intersection of science and philosophy. Today we are speaking with Dr. Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His career spans from chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine to vice chancellor for research. Richard has also led cutting-edge research to understand how the human body responds to zero-gravity environments, and has even worked directly with NASA. Throughout his career, between his lab research and academic leadership positions, Richard has co-authored more than 300 publications and books. His most recent book is “Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding Our Place in the Universe”. This book explores the rich history of the origins of science as a way of creating our worldview and understanding our place, as humans, in the world–natural philosophy, as it used to be called. The origin story of science is not only about how we as humans observe and experience the world; interestingly, it can also be deeply influenced by religious perspectives, especially during times in history when religious authorities strongly influenced what was accepted in broader society. “We think of science, philosophy, and religion as being completely separate and conflicting schools of thought. My book connects the dots between the scientific perspective and those of philosophy and religion–on a broad scale,” explains Richard. An overarching theme of all three is to have a better experience and understanding of our world. When it comes to writing, Richard believes that good writing just has to flow, and this means writing can be slow, arduous, and often frustrating. However, this also means that it’s important to sit and try every day. Listen to the episode to learn more about Richard’s work and his book. Tune in to hear Richard explain: The evolution of science from observation to experimentation What it means to think of science as a natural philosophy  The surprising interconnectedness between science, philosophy, and religion The strong Mississippi tradition of Storytelling What it takes to write a good book about science You can find Richard’s latest book here: Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding Our Place in the Universe - https://lnkd.in/exDBhPYM Reach out to Richard: [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, also be sure to check out: Ep 8: The Pen is Mightier than the Pipette: The Work Ep 23: The Accidental Discovery of Penicillin https://lnkd.in/eeUMYAFY

ICYMI we are celebrating the big 5-0 (50th episode!) with a discussion all about the hopes and progress of CRISPR clinical trials. Before a new drug, therapy, vaccine, or medical device is approved for general use by the public, its safety and effectiveness are evaluated in a series of tests on volunteers. These Clinical Trials progress in 3 successive phases with each phase designed to answer specific questions about the product under evaluation. Questions can include: What side effects does it cause? What is the lowest effective dose? What is the highest safe dose? Does it improve patients’ quality of life? Is it an effective cure for the disease in question? How does it compare to the current treatments (if any are available) for that particular disease? Currently, only one CRISPR gene therapy, Casgevy, is approved for public use. It is approved in several countries to treat the blood disorders, Sickle Cell Disease and Beta Thalassemia. However, many CRISPR clinical trials are still ongoing; they span ~ 10 major disease categories and occupy every clinical trial phase. In this episode, we discuss the successes and challenges of CRISPR clinical trials to cure HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular disease, and others.  Tune in to learn more about: ·    What questions do successive clinical trial phases answer? ·    How can CRISPR technology cure HIV/AIDS? ·    The results for the hereditary amyloidosis treatment, which is now in phase III of clinical trials ·    Listener question: An update for Sickle Cell Disease CRISPR treatments For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com Useful Links: US and EU clinical trials databases:  https://lnkd.in/eJsJN5J https://lnkd.in/eVv4gC-a https://lnkd.in/eeCqRJP9

Are you curious about how Science Policy works? Check out tomorrow's event with Adriana Bankston to learn more.

We continue our conversation with Adriana Bankston, founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC to learn more about her career path. Her journey of discovery started close to home, in a family filled with scientists–from her grandparents to her parents. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she was introduced to the world of research through a summer program. From there her interests blossomed, and in graduate school, at Emory University, she conducted research in muscular dystrophy for her dissertation. This experience also allowed her to volunteer with patients and instilled the understanding of the social impact of science. “What you are doing actually impacts real people,” Adriana explains. As she completed graduate school, her attention grew to understanding the obscure world of postdoctoral salaries, how such positions are defined, and the policies behind the status quo. This initial project led her to the world of advocacy and finding strategic ways to solve these challenges within science. Along the way, Adriana has also had several inspiring mentors, starting with her graduate school advisor: one of two female researchers within the department. Peers were also very supportive in fostering her interests especially as Adriana transitioned away from bench work and needed to gain new skills in the policy world such as writing letters to legislators and understanding the workings of Capitol Hill. With her positive experience as a mentee, Adriana now dedicates her time to mentoring graduate students and others who are new to the world of advocacy and policy. Looking to the future, she is excited about starting as an inaugural AAAS Congressional Policy Fellow sponsored by the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy which will allow her to work directly on Capitol Hill, a change from advocating on the outside. In addition to her experience in advocacy and policy, Adriana is also a science writer; as someone who describes herself as having too many opinions, writing has been an excellent outlet to share some of her ideas with the world. After you listen to the podcast, also read her latest blog post on the podcast website: https://lnkd.in/eESXhtxe  And if you want to learn more about science policy, Adriana will lead a workshop hosted by Genetics Society of America: https://lnkd.in/eMiGKRuG Tune into this episode to hear Adriana explain: - How her family history influenced her career journey - Her first encounter with science policy and advocacy - What it means to ride the rollercoaster with confidence https://lnkd.in/ejgsNtuk

ICYMI - In this fourth installment of the CRISPR Chronicles, show hosts Fatu and Shekerah give a review of sickle cell anemia, the cause and symptoms of the disease, and discuss how the CRISPR gene therapy treatment works. Tune in to learn more about: The genetic basis of Sickle Cell Disease What Amazon delivery vans have in common with your Red Blood Cells The effect of mutant hemoglobin on Red Blood Cells The variety and severity of symptoms that SCD patients experience The disease burden of SCD throughout the world The clever strategy used to treat the disease with CRISPR gene therapy The results of the CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals gene therapy clinical trials https://lnkd.in/eCenwjHf For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com

Want to learn more about advocating for science and research? Check out the latest blog post from our recent guest Adriana Bankston - https://lnkd.in/eESXhtxe