Talking Biotech Podcast

Tweet Talking Biotech Podcast #46 was a lot of fun.  My co-host is the effervescent Kiona Elliott, a wonderful undergraduate student in my lab that not only is studying science, but she’s also studying how to communicate with public audiences.  The main guest is Dr. Ashley Winslow, Director of Neurogenetics at the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.  We discuss the results from her recent paper in Nature Genetics that used voluntary public information from 23 and me to identify areas of the genome that may contain genetic markers of clinical depression. Dr. Winslow also discusses life as a driven woman scientist, and some of the unique challenges she faced in pursuit of her current position.  She also provides excellent guidance for young scientists…  and there’s a bit of a surprise! Co-hosted by University of Florida undergraduate Kiona Elliott (@kionaelliott) Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Talking Biotech #45 discusses the viral threats to coffee.  We’re joined by Dr. Michael Goodin, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology from the University of Kentucky.   Coffee viruses are important threats to sustainable production.  They are spread by insects, so insect control is a critical aspect of their spread.  Dr. Goodin talks about the unusual molecular aspects of the virus, plus the reasons he enjoys researching coffee, as it is a high-value crop that helps farmers in the developing world, and is a product enjoyed by people worldwide. Nat Graham is a Graduate Student in the University of Missouri Biology Department. Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Talking Biotech Podcast #44 continues Kavin Senapathy’s interview with Dr. Ronald Herring.  Dr. Herring is a Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. Dr. Herring is a social scientist that has carefully studied the situation in India.  This is the second part of the interview discussing the myths and facts surrounding Indian farmer suicides, a popular narrative in anti-genetic-engineering circles.  Professor Herring provides first-hand illumination of the topic, from his experience in India, and scholarly examination of the facts around the topic. In the second half of the podcast Kevin Folta answers questions submitted from the Facebook page. Kavin Senapathy is a science writer and mom, who frequently writes for Forbes and other venues.  Her twitter handle is @ksenapathy Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet   In discussion of genetically engineered crops  there is frequent reference to farmer suicides in India.  Claims are made that Indian farmers build massive debt for cotton seeds, they become beholden to Monsanto for the money, and then kill themselves.  This story is repeated ad nauseum by Vandana Shiva and others that exploit the untimely deaths of farmers for political gain, and to foment anger against biotechnology.  Today’s podcast features Dr. Ronald Herring.  Dr. Herring is a Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. Dr. Herring is a social scientist that has carefully studied the situation in India.  Guest host Kavin Senapathy interviews Dr. Herring and provides perspective of a first-generation Indian-American in the discussion. Kavin Senapathy is a science writer and mom, who frequently writes for Forbes and other venues.  Her twitter handle is @ksenapathy   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The Seralini Rats make an appearance a the NAS Report Summary. A report on Genetically Engineered Crops was commissioned by the National Academies of Science, and a committee was convened to review the current literature.  The committee also considered testimony of experts, including self-described experts. A wide range of opinions were considered. This week’s podcast summarizes the findings of the committee, along with specific questions to Dr. Neal Stewart, a member of the NAS committee. The podcast concludes with Dr. Stewart’s song on genetic engineering.  You can read more about his philosophy of how science and music mesh here. The NAS Panel member presentation was edited, mostly to remove crowd noise or references to slides you can’t see in an audio podcast.

Tweet If there was anyone that could be dubbed a science wizard, it might be Dr. Jude Grosser.  Dr. Grosser has made a career of edgy innovation, creating new solutions that define the forefront of genetic improvements in citrus.  He has mastered unconventional techniques that produce new variants of trees (both their scions and rootstocks) that bring improved production quality to Florida’s fresh fruit and orange juice industries. Currently he is a key strategist in the fight to save Florida citrus, where some of his solutions are being trialed, and don’t face the regulatory impediments of “GMO” citrus trees. Dr. Grosser’s Website Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Dr. Steve Strauss is a Distinguished Professor of Forestry at Oregon State University.  He has been at the forefront of forest biology and genetic engineering of trees, contributing greatly to the understanding of fundamental tree biology, as well as the development of techniques and tools to perform genetic engineering in tree species.  We discuss the many opportunities in tree breeding, as well as the limitations and other challenges.  Please follow Dr. Strauss on Twitter: @shstrauss   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet   It is so wonderful to share the time with Prof. Danny Chamovitz.  He’s an accomplished researcher, a successful Dean, and leader in Israel’s agricultural research enterprise.  He discusses his book, What a Plant Knows and describes plants as beings in tune with their environments, planning to adapt to change on demand.  He’ll change your perspective on plants for ever.  He also talks about his lab’s research and the climate toward biotech in Israel. We’ll also take a look at Miles Greb’s comic, After the Gold Rush, a science-based comic that emphasizes its scientific precision in telling a compelling sci-fi story.  It is more sci than fi.  Check out @GoldRushComic   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Chipotle proudly serves it.  The Vermont GMO labeling rules exempt it. Still 95% of cheese is manufactured from enzymes created through recombinant DNA technology. These GMO-derived enzymes are tremendously beneficial to the process.  Young cow stomachs are not needed and the prices are lower because the enzymes are abundant.  Levi Gadye is a graduate student in neuroscience and science writer.  He recently wrote an article on cheese enzymes in Gizmodo, and joined us in talking about cheese.  Kavin Senapathy co-hosts. In the second part of the podcast I cover the continued FOIA requests for my emails and do a quick review of the National Academies of Science scholarly review of genetic engineering released last week. QUICK NOTE:  The recording now is different than the original one posted.  It turns out that there was a factual error.  Our guest stated that dairy cows gave birth to offspring that are “probably immediately euthanized”.  After consulting with an expert in animal cooperative extension it was resolved that male and female offspring of dairy cows are raised 12-14 months before being moved into beef production.   I wanted to follow up on that before posting and forgot.  The podcast stands corrected.   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The African Swine Fever Virus is a devastating pathogen that leads to fatal disease in domesticated swine.  Scientists at the Roslin Institute led by Prof. Bruce Whitelaw have made an important advance for domestic pig health and welfare.  Wild African pigs like warthogs do not get the disease.  Researchers at Roslin have studied the genes associated with viral infection, and found what is likely a critical difference between the wild and domestic pigs.  Using new gene editing technology, the change in wild pigs has been created in domestic pigs, and they will be tested for resistance to the virus this year.  This example is one of may that is coming in animal, plant, and fungal genetic improvement through gene editing. Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet “Citrus” is a term applied to a variety of popular and nutritious fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes.  Citrus breeders are tasked with improving the varieties, which takes decades.  Still, great progress has been made in fruit improvement.  However, over the last twenty years a disease called Huanglongbing, or “HLB” (also known as “citrus greening”) has emerged in the USA and threatens the citrus industry.  Today the focus is how to grow improved citrus varieties that can survive this insidious disease.  Dr. Fred Gmitter is a seasoned citrus breeder that has  produced improved fruit varieties, but also is working to identify new varieties to combat HLB.  

Tweet This week the Talking Biotech Podcast shares an intriguing discussion with Dr. Jayson Lusk.  Dr. Lusk is an agricultural and food economist at Oklahoma State University.  He has analyzed many facets of consumer choices, consumer behaviors, and the potential costs of policy change in agriculture. More importantly, he is a sought after speaker and author, sharing his expertise and experiences in many industry and public forums.  He is a prolific author, and his books The Food Police and Unaturally Delicious are written for a familiar audience and contain interesting and colorful stories about the past, present and future of food technology.   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn  

Tweet Strawberry is a popular fruit with tremendous commercial value, and while everyone loves a good strawberry, are they actually getting better? This week’s podcast talks to Dr. Jim Hancock, strawberry breeder from Michigan State University.  Dr. Hancock explains strawberry’s wild history, from cultivation by indigenous people in Chile, to colonists moving them around the world, to spies taking them home to the king.  Modern challenges and solutions to sustainable production are discussed. In the second part of the podcast professional speaker and agvocate Michele Payn-Knoper (Cause Matters Corp.) talks about effective ag communication and her favorite places to find good information on science and agriculture. Foodinsight.org  —  geneticliteracyproject.com — thefarmerslife.com — Foodie Farmer    Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn “My Favorites Things” cover by Gyu-Ho Lee.   Amazing guitar work on YouTube under gyu5730

Tweet Could the lowly dandelion solve a crisis?  If Key Gene CEO Dr. Arjen van Tunen and associates are correct, this yard pest may be the basis of sustainable and highly profitable rubber production.  A growing middle class worldwide has produced a need for high-quality rubber, mostly for tires.  Rubber tree (the genus Havea) plantations in Southeast Asia are threatened by climate change, disease, and sustainable harvesting is costly and labor intensive.  However, the dandelion produces latex, just not in huge amounts.  Scientists at KeyGene have identified a high production version in Kazakhstan and combined its genetics with those of the larger, common dandelion.  The result is a plant that could revolutionize the rubber industry and provide a new high-value, easy-to-grow crop for farmers.  Environmental impacts are also discussed. In the process, the scientists at KeyGene also  identified genes related to apomixis, the ability to produce seeds without fertilization, essentially clones of the parent. Understanding these genes could dramatically change agriculture, as any plant could potentially be made to produce clonal seeds from the mother plant. In the second part of the podcast, correspondent Vern Blazek talks to Dr. Curt Hannah who answers a listener question about corn varieties and just how much genetic variation there is in modern modern hybrids. Plus some thoughts on the Borlaug CAST Agriculture Communications Award The audio at the end can be found here, along with a corresponding video.  Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher       iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Dietary reactions to wheat are on the rise, and science is grasping for answers.  One approach to work around the genetic basis of the reaction, and that is well understood.  With that information, scientists like Dr. Chris Miller at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center are searching for innovative solutions. Current concepts seek to breed modern wheat with other historical varieties featuring low reactivity.  Future methods suggest that genetic engineering and gene editing might be especially effective solutions to the problem. Co-Hosted by Kevin Klatt, Graduate Student in Molecular Nutrition, Cornell University  Twitter: @Nutrevolve Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and review!  Stitcher       iTunes   Player FM