Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Danelle Seymour discusses the genetic anomoliies observed in the vegetative propagation of tree crops, particularly citrus. The conversation delves into the importance of preserving genetic material through grafting, the challenges of genetic variation in vegetatively propagated plants, and the role of mutations in these processes. Dr. Seymour shares insights from her research on the historic Washington Naval orange tree and the implications of somatic mutations for breeding and disease resistance in citrus.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Neela Patel and Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh from Bonum Therapeutics about the emerging field of conditionally active biologics. They discuss the challenges of current therapies, the innovative mechanisms behind their drug development, and the potential of immuno-oncology to revolutionize cancer treatment. The conversation also covers the market landscape, the origin story of Bonum, and the future directions for their pipeline, emphasizing the importance of targeted therapies in improving patient outcomes.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with Dr. Alex Schneider, CEO and founder of CureLab, to discuss innovative approaches to cancer treatment, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by refractory cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Dr. Schneider emphasizes the evolution of cancer therapies from traditional chemotherapy to more sophisticated immunotherapies, highlighting the importance of understanding immune responses in combating cancer. He introduces Elanogen, a plasmid-based therapy designed to enhance immune presentation and combat chronic inflammation, which can hinder the effectiveness of conventional treatments like gemcitabine.The conversation delves into the mechanisms of Elanogen, explaining how it targets the P62 protein, which is overproduced in cancer cells, making them vulnerable to immune attacks. Dr. Schneider shares insights from clinical trials, noting the promising results of combining Elanogen with standard chemotherapy, and discusses future applications of this therapy in various cancers and even non-cancerous diseases associated with chronic inflammation. The episode concludes with a call for intellectual humility in science, as both hosts reflect on the evolving nature of cancer research and the potential for new discoveries in the field.

This conversation explores the intersection of biotechnology and the beauty industry, highlighting how biotech is revolutionizing the production of cosmetic ingredients. The discussion covers the slow pace of innovation in beauty, the debate between natural and synthetic ingredients, and the role of AI in discovering new active compounds. The conversation also delves into specific examples like carmine production, the business model of Debut Biotech, and the regulatory challenges faced in bringing new products to market.

2025 saw some of the giants in molecular biology leave us. Those that made seminal discoveries in DNA science to those that put it to work in describing the underpinnings of life left an indelible mark on history, and it is fitting that we commemorate their discoveries and contributions.

This is a throwback to episode 484, a very important correction of their episode on glyphosate. With so much controversy around this compound it is critical to keep the information correct and consistent with a 50 year body of evidence when discussing risk and benefit. Veritassium made some mistakes, so here they are corrected so that you can participate effectively in these discussions.

This episode originally aired on December 18, 2021. Cindy Graham was diagnosed with glioblastoma in her late 40s. She fought the disease, and ultimately donated her tissues to research to study the nature of glioblastoma and identify potential vulnerabilities that could underlie a cure. This episode first features Dr. Shiela Singh, glioblastoma expert who has performed analysis of Cindy's cells in search of a cure. The second part is an interview with her husband, Dr. Thomas Graham. He speaks of the power of her gift, Cindy's legacy, and the hope that cures may come because of her contribution. The fund supports glioblastoma research and student scholarships to enhance the best research in search of a cure. You can support the fund at www.cindysgift.com

In today's throwback to 2022, Dr. Avindra Nath of the NIH reviews research efforts in proteins expressed from human endogenous retroviruses. It is a fascinating discussion of how genome relics may be contributing to insidious human disease.

This throwback episode to 2018 is an interview with plant breeding pioneer Dr. Maxine Thompson.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Zack Abbott discuss the critical role of dietary fiber in human health, the alarming statistics regarding fiber deficiency in the population, and the innovative solutions being developed by Zbiotics to address this issue. They delve into the science behind genetically engineered probiotics that can convert sugars into fiber, enhancing gut health and microbiome diversity. The conversation also touches on future possibilities for probiotic technology and its potential to solve modern health challenges.

This cross-platform podcast is shared on Science Facts and Fallacies as well as Talking Biotech. Cameron English, Dr. Liza Lockwood and Dr. Kevin Folta discuss the comments made during a rant on the Science Facts and Fallacies podcast concerning the rigor of peer review and alledged lack of self policing in academic publishing. They discuss several papers in the recent public eye, with an emphasis on the process, the media response, and the nuance that is used in academic publishing, review and editorial oversight.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Jonathan Howard discusses his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of disinformation, and the anti-vaccine movement. He reflects on his role as a physician at Bellevue Hospital, the impact of misinformation on public health, and the key players who have influenced the narrative surrounding vaccines and COVID-19. Dr. Howard emphasizes the need for the medical community to stand against misinformation and the importance of engaging in public discourse to restore trust in science and public health institutions.

SummaryIn this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Dr. Matthew Disney discusses the potential of RNA as a therapeutic target, exploring its historical context, pathogenic roles in diseases, and the challenges and innovations in drug design. The conversation delves into specific diseases like myotonic dystrophy, ALS, and various cancers, highlighting the advantages of small molecules in treatment and the future directions of RNA therapeutics.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Max Scott discusses the significant threat posed by screw worms, a parasitic insect that lays eggs in live animals, leading to severe economic and health impacts on livestock. The conversation covers the historical eradication efforts using the sterile insect technique, the current resurgence of screw worms in North America, and the innovative biotechnology approaches being explored to control their populations, including gene drive technology. The episode also addresses the public perception of genetic technologies in agriculture and the importance of continuous monitoring and advocacy for effective pest management.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Jackie Douglas discusses the emerging field of neoantigens and their significance in cancer immunotherapy. Neoantigens, which are unique to cancer cells, offer a promising target for personalized immunotherapies. The conversation covers the formation of neoantigens, the role of HLA alleles in their presentation, recent advances in research, and various therapeutic strategies being explored. Challenges such as patient response variability and the need for affordable treatments are also highlighted, along with the potential for future developments in the field.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Derek Small, co-founder and CEO of Syndeoo, focusing on the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders and the challenges in developing effective therapies. They discuss the importance of synaptic function in mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, the innovative Boost platform for drug development, and the potential of event-driven pharmacology. The conversation highlights the hope for new treatments in the pipeline for conditions like depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Listener Request! The YouTube channel Veritasium has been recognized by scientists and the public as a great source for scientific information. So what happened in the recent episode? The episode originally entitled "Exposing the Monsanto Conspiracy" attempts to link the historic horrors of Agent Orange and contaminated herbicides with current claims against the herbicide glyphosate. To build the story this science channel relies on horrible sources and poor scholarship to build the illogical conclusion that because a company had a bad past, and anti-biotech activists and money-hungry lawyers build a narrative, then the herbicide must cause cancer. This, despite the overwhelming consensus from independent research and regulatory bodies that says there is no evidence of carcinogenicity at dietary or occupational exposure levels. This episode is designed to help the scientific listener understand the actual evidence and how even traditionally good communications efforts can become vehicles for anti-scientific campaigns.