Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Pork production worldwide is limited by a series of viral pig diseases that slow growth, cause illness and restrict reproduction. One of these is known as PRRS, Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome. PRRS has a massive cost to producers, as they either have to manage the disease or spend significant resources in vaccination and biosecurity. Dr. Christine Burkard of the Roslin Institute has a solution. Her team has studied how the virus docks with cells and replicates. They have successfully edited the viral attachment domain from the receptor protein using Cas9-mediated gene editing in pig zygotes. The resulting animals are resistant to the disease, and are being incorporated into breeding programs. Thanks to Dr. Burkard and others studying pig diseases, there will be improvements in animal health and economic benefits for producers.Follow Dr. Burkard on Twitter: @Cburkard4 # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

While Indian farmers have realized benefits from GE cotton, food crops have been forbidden from this growing country. Their neighbor to the west, Bangladesh, has realized great gains from the “Bt” Brinjal (eggplant). Farmers there used to spray 80-100 times a season to protect their crop. In 2014 the Agriculture Minister approved the “Bt” Brinjal, a variety that protects itself from the pest using a naturally-occurring bacterial protein that is toxic to fruit-boring insect larvae. The number of sprays declined to 1-2 per season. Indian farmers wanted the same benefit, and seeds have been making their way into India, despite the fact that they have not been approved. In this episode Dr. C.S. Prakash explains the current protests, as Indian farmers plant symbolistic areas of Bt brinjal, defying laws and potential penalties in the name of technology sovereignty. Dr. Prakash has been contributing to the biotech crop discussion for decades, he has been recognized with the CAST Borlaug Ag Communications Award, and here tells the story of the situation in India.Follow Dr. Prakash on Twitter: @AgBioWorld And his website: AgBioWorld.org# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The war against agricultural biotechnology shifted in the last several years. Carefully constructed steps by those opposed to technology have managed to malign a relatively innocuous compound– the herbicide glyphosate. The compound is used in many applications, from GE crops to drying down some grains prior to harvest. Armed with analytical chemistry, activist groups claim to detect glyphosate everywhere, of course in minuscule amounts. But when those amounts are not zero, it provides a means to stoke fear and drive policy change. It is amazing to watch what is happening around glyphosate, a compound with a long regulatory history and years of safe use. The way that activists attain their goals is by manipulating the media, organizations that are willing to tell any story that can raise fear. Children being poisoned by breakfast cereal is just the ticket. But are they being honest? In this week’s 5th Anniversary podcast I dissect a recent CBS Television News story on the subject. Do they get it right? # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The visions of Jurassic Park are an extrapolation of actual research being performed all over the world. Research has shown that avian dinosaurs (birds) possess latent genes that can be re-activated to restore forelimbs, hands and teeth. Dr. Jack Horner is a world-renowned paleontologist that has been involved in the efforts to adjust modern avian traits to demonstrate morphological f Brain Bar in Budapest, Hungary, May 31, 2019.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Technology is exploding in all areas of life, but sadly has been slow to reach agriculture. We are stuck in the rhythms of old unsustainable practices. But things are changing quickly thanks to data, robotics, revival of old practices, new technologies and better genetics. This episode is Kevin Folta speaking to Brain Bar in Budapest, Hungary, May 30, 2019.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

There is sad irony that the African continent has the most potential benefit from crop biotechnology, yet has the least access to the technology. The bottlenecks are political, not scientific, as excellent technology is being developed and procured by African agricultural technology groups. Much of the anti-biotech sentiment is shaped by U.S. and E.U. non-governmental organizations, particularly activist organizations that flood the continent with disturbing disinformation. The technology deficits affect smallholder farmers, particularly women. Professor Jennifer Thomson has been a leading voice in biotechnology and women’s advocacy in Africa. She shares her stories and views, and helps us understand the complexities of getting the best technology to people that could benefit from its implementation.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Blackberries are a popular, healthy fruit with increasing availability to the consumer. Over the last century significant progress has been made in its genetic improvement. In this episode the history, breeding efforts and future of blackberry are discussed by Dr. Chad Finn, USDA-ARS Plant Geneticist and Small Fruit Breeder.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Huanglongbing, or HLB, is the Chinese term for the Yellow Dragon Disease– usually referred to as Citrus Greening. The disease first appeared in the USA in the Miami area in 2005, and since has spread to every grove. The disease is a terminal infection of the tree, culminating in its decline and death. Currently there is no cure. The Florida industry is crashing, the disease is found across citrus producing states, including California. Scientists have attempted many strategies to solve the problem, from nutrition to transgenics. The problem is that the most likely solutions do not have public buy-in, as genetic engineering strategies are hampered by a tragic misperception. One solution is an outstanding intermediate. The Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) is ubiquitous in citrus trees, now infecting most trees with zero consequences. Scientists have co-opted the virus to deliver an anti-microbial payload, a peptide that may interfere with the bacterium, without harming the plant or making the plant “genetically engineered”. The solution allows producers to generate “Non-GMO” orange juice while still saving the industry. Dr. Steve Savage explains the technology and its application.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Dr. Linda Bartoshuk has been recognized as an expert on interactions between the smell, taste, psychology and the brain for many decades. While so important to our experiences, smell and taste are poorly understood by the general public. Dr. Bartoshuk explains some of these important nuances of how we sense the world around us, and how that integrates with perception and liking. In the second part we discuss her experiences as a woman navigating overt sexism, harassment and discrimination as she moved from high school, through her education and into her faculty positions– even as a recognized world expert and leader in her field.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

I was very excited to be participating in the Southern Seed School here in Gainesville, FL. I had talks prepared on three cool topics– the history of the University of Florida plant breeding programs, plant breeding and genetic improvement, and new crops for Florida. I was not being compensated for my time on a Sunday, which is perfect. The group was a a paying audience of plant enthusiasts and gardeners, all excited to learn more about seed saving. Genetics, I feel, is a huge part of that, and non-scientists don’t think of it very much. My job was to fill that gap. The Wednesday before the event I read that I was cancelled. Not the whole event, not other UF speakers, just me. The organizers apparently received complaints, and certainly the bogus Twitter accounts were in high gear complaining about my participation. They succeeded in removing a scientist from a scientific presentation. Sadly, it makes the “seed savers” and organic gardeners look like they are offended by science, a charge frequently levied in social media. I disagree with that stance, but their actions reinforce those negative perceptions, which is a shame. Since I have been eliminated I will present the lectures in a separate venue in the same building. This way students that wanted that information are welcome to have access, and their education will not be interrupted by bad leadership decisions. I also applaud what the leadership does in their other efforts, so I don’t want negative fallout for them. I’m just disappointed that they rolled over when it was time to stand up for science. UPDATE: The organizers moved the Seed School off of the campus, so participants will not have access to the lecture materials. We will present these at a meeting for gardeners in the Fall. I’m very sorry.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Cowpea is a critical crop in Western Africa. It is consumed by millions daily, but also feeds livestock, all the while providing important nitrogen fixation for the farm. Cowpea cultivation is threatened by Maruca vitrata, a butterfly who’s caterpillar stage feasts on the beans within the cowpea pod. Scientists in Nigeria have implemented a strategy using the Bt protein to fight against this pest. Today’s podcast interviews Francis Onyekachi, Program Manager for the West African Maruca Resistant Cowpea Project. He talks about the crop, the technology, and the strategy to ensure its continued efficacy. Co-hosted by Nigerian native and University of Florida graduate student Modesta Abugu. Here is a link to the project. Follow Modesta Abugu on Twitter @modestannedi # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

One of the limiting factors in photosynthesis is the plant’s ability to take up carbon dioxide to assimilate into carbohydrates. At least part of the problem is the size of the small pores, or stomata, that are used for gas exchange between the inside of the leaf and the outside environment. Pore size is dictated by guard cells, two sausage-shaped cells that swell and deflate to open the pore. The process can be triggered by an influx of potassium ions. Prof. John Christie and collaborators at the University of Glasgow and Milan, Italy designed a light-activated potassium switch, a channel that would allow the light influx when the plants were treated with blue light. The resulting plants incorporated more carbon into their biomass. The results show that a synthetic molecule can be used to open one bottleneck in photosynthesis, and the technology may be helpful in increasing plant yields in the future field.This is the the Christie Lab website and Here is a link to the recent paper. Check out Amber Boas Medium Page and follow her on Twitter @ABoasGardens # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Sleep remains a mystery to science, as it is a state where an organism is vulnerable to potentially deadly forces. It therefore must be important to physiology and survival. Prof. Lior Appelbaum and his team have examined the effect of sleep on brain activity using zebrafish embryos. Chromosomes were colored for visualization, and dynamic movements are imaged for analysis. The results show that when a fish is sleeping, chromosomes in the brain are very active and undergoing repair. The interpretation is that sleep is an essential state where neuronal activity is put on hold why the cells can repair their genetic materials. Co-hosted by University of Florida graduate student Brady Holmer.This is the the Appelbaum Lab website and Here is a link to the recent paper. Check out Brady Holmer’s blog and follow him on Twitter @B_Holmer ‏# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Soybeans are legumes that produce abundant oil. The oils have been popular for consumers and in food service, but they could have improved performance in cooking applications and also did not have the heart-healthy profiles of other plant-derived oils. With a simple genetic tweak scientists were able to radically change the oil content of soybean oil to high oleic content. This type of oil has no trans fat, less saturated fat, and a significant level of monounsaturated fat. The process has been achieved by traditional breeding as well as by gene editing, producing a soybean oil with improved cooking performance and health properties. Today’s podcast features a discussion with Kim Nill, Director of Research and Development with the Minnesota Soybean Council.Follow AquaBounty on Twitter This is the Minnesota Soybean website. This is the Plenish Oil website. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The transgenic, fast-growing salmon was first developed in 1989. The goal was simple, use fish genes to remove seasonal growth effects, with the hopes of creating a fish that could grow faster. Faster growth means fewer resources to produce an equivalent amount or finished food product. This results in greater availability of a sustainable, consistent, high quality source of salmon, a great protein source with oils suggested to have positive roles in health. However, the road to approval has been long. As the first GE animal, the AquaBounty salmon had navigated a complex regulatory maze, that now has finally allowed it to be produced and marketed in North America. This episode speaks with Sylvia Wulf, CEO and President of AquaBounty Technologies. We discuss the product, the regulatory situation, and when the products may be finally available to consumers.Follow AquaBounty on Twitter This is the AquaBounty website.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Anthony Warner is known as The Angry Chef, achieving notoriety as a food-fad/social critic. He has roots in biochemistry and trained as a chef, with years of experience in a variety of cooking venues. He is recognized for his books, columns and blogs, where he provides scientifically consistent critical analysis of current food trends and historical food foibles. His new book is entitled The Truth About Fat.Follow Anthony Warner on Twitter This link goes to the blog One Angry Chef Buy the book, The Truth About Fat # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Today’s graduate students understand that participation in science communication can significantly enhance a scientific career. While there are challenges, the idea of being willing to share science with the public can have tremendous benefits, yet there are few universities that stress the mechanics and psychology of public engagement. The Cornell Alliance for Science held a science communication workshop in San Diego, geared toward graduate students. Three of the participants, Andrew Katz (Colorado State), Bliss Betzen (Kansas State) and Saarah Kuzay (UC Davis) join Drs. Kevin Folta and Paul Vincelli to discuss their projects, their projects, and their long-term aspirations.Bliss Betzen on Twitter @bmbetzen Andrew Katz on linked in Saarah Kuzay via UC-Davis, Dubcovsky Lab# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Military preparedness means testing ammunition and ordinates in controlled field trials, as well as decommissioning of obsolete weaponry. The result is a significant environmental deposit of residues of TNT and RDX, two explosives used in the production of military hardware. These compounds are environmentally persistent and leach into groundwater. They represent significant environmental toxins near military bases. Dr. Liz Rylott and her team at the University of York have developed plants capable of inactivating these compounds. Plants take up RDX and TNT, however, these compounds remain stable within the plant. Using genes from unusual bacterial species, plants have been engineered to inactivate these compounds, turning them essentially into fertilizer. This work is an exciting example of how genetic engineering can be used to solve a critical environmental problem. Follow Dr. Rylott at @LizRylott# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The report saturated the popular media, claims that the herbicide glyphosate increased cancer risk by 41%. This alarming statistic punctuated news reports, based on a new analysis of old data performed by a statistics team at the University of Washington. These claims did not study cancer in general, but instead focused on a rare cancer known as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). Their conclusions were generated from re-analysis of previous reports, the most powerful of which showed absolutely no association between glyphosate use and NHL. So how do reports with marginal/no associations and a powerful report with no association morph into a report claiming a definitive association? In this week’s podcast I discuss the analysis with Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, retired cancer epidemiologist and risk expert. We discuss the new report, its strengths and weaknesses, and his concern that the data put into the study may have been selectively chosen to produce the desired outcome.Follow Dr. Kabat at @GeoKabat and www.geoffreykabat.com# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

In the days of fear-based food labeling the market has been screaming for a science-friendly alternative. Ethos Chocolates are distributed for free by A Fresh Look, an independent organization of farmers that want to set the record straight with regard to crop technology. Today I speak with Dr. Rebecca Larson, Scientific Director for A Fresh Look. We discuss the motivation behind Ethos Chocolates and the overwhelming reception the product has enjoyed.Learn more at Ethos Chocolate# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

This week the American Association for the Advancement of Science announced an award to two Sri Lankan researchers for their research showing that glyphosate was a “deadly herbicide” that was causing kidney disease in farmers. Of course, I remember some work they did in forming a hypothesis and eventually measuring heavy metals and farm chemicals in urine, but I never recall such a definitive conclusion. Because there was none. The research is what the research is, but AAAS made a huge blunder in allowing a completely incorrect interpretation of the current literature to hit their pages. Of course, now this has blossomed in to a claims of multinational corporate conspiracy of censorship and suppression, when it really was just an organization likely posting what they were told was the actual science.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The relationship between pollinators and crop protection strategies has always pitted them against each other, with concern about how insecticides and herbicides might affect charismatic non-target insects like bees. A new technology by the company Bee Vectoring Technologies rewrites the definition to the relationship. In this approach, bees exit the hive to deliver a fungicide to the flower, a biological control that competes against pathogenic fungi that start their damage early in fruit development. In this episode I speak with representatives from the company about the technology, its application, and its safety with regard to pollinators and the environment. Company website: BeeVt.com Follow BeeVT on Twitter: @BeeVTech# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The new techniques in gene editing have made rapid, precise genetic changes possible in animals. Some of the greatest benefits are genetic resistance to disease, generation of less waste, and more rapid growth on the farm. The world has adopted these new techniques and devised sensible and appropriate mechanisms of regulatory oversight. However, in the USA regulation of genetically-engineered animals is cumbersome, and arrests solutions from reaching the field. In short, a GE animal is regulated as a drug, whereas a GE plant is regulated as a GE plant. Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam sets out to correct this discrepancy. She points out the problems with burdensome regulation and how it will affect American scientists and ultimately the American farmer, rancher and economy. As a solution, she requests that you sign the petition below, as she will use your name and interest in changing the rules to bolster her efforts in supporting rigorous, thorough, yet reasonable regulation. Dr. Van Eenennaam on Twitter: @BioBeef HERE IS A LINK TO THE PETITION! PLEASE SIGN! # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Researchers and communicators in biotechnology have experienced it for a long time– the people that oppose genetic engineering frequently know the least about it. This observation was studied formally by a group of cognitive and social psychologists. Their conclusion: The people with the most extreme attitudes about genetic engineering also have the least working knowledge about the science behind it. In this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Fernbach from the University of Colorado discusses the results of the study, along with a deeper discussion into the ramifications of these findings as they apply to science communication.Link to the paper discussed: Dr. Fernbach’s website: www.philipfernbach.com Website at University of Colorado: Here is his book: The Knowledge Illusion: Why we Never Think Alone# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Our forests are critical to ecology. They sequester carbon from human activity, and serve as great resources for renewable building materials, fuels and recreation. However, our forests are threatened like never before. Rapidly changing climates, human activity, and new pests and pathogens have caused massive change in forest populations over a very short time, with some species driven nearly to extinction. Scientists are poised to meet these problems with modern biotechnology. The problem is that the certification and regulatory bodies that govern the work have great restrictions on the kind of research that may be performed, and they all but forbid any types of genetic engineering. Ancient language installed by activist groups is difficult to overcome, and stops the best tools from being utilized in tree improvement. Dr. Steve Strauss discusses the recent National Academies Report on forests and technology, and introduces a petition for scientists and concerned citizens to sign. The hope is that regulators and certification bodies will maintain rigorous assessment, yet will allow new technologies to at least be considered and tested as scientists search for answers.Please click here to go to sign the petition. Read the full petition and related scientific background. View a press release on the petition here.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Indoor air is filled with hazardous trace compounds that arise from flooring, furniture, and even showering. While they pose a minor risk, they are present, and more so in our energy efficient homes. Dr. Stuart Strand has devised houseplants that express a detoxification gene from the human liver. The plants remove these compounds from the air, and may be important contributors to public health in the future.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

This week’s podcast features and update on two critical technologies– the Bt Brinjal (eggplant) in Bangladesh and the blight resistant American Chestnut. Both of these were covered in earlier episodes, and an update on their status is long overdue. Dr. Tony Shelton of Cornell University and Dr. Bill Powell from SUNY share their stories. Follow Dr. Powell on Twitter @ChestnutPowell Follow Dr. Tony Shelton’s Progress here and download the recent paper here. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Weed resistance is a complex problem with incredible ramifications for agricultural production. It also provides an outstanding opportunity to examine how resistance happens– is it continual development of new mutations, new mutations in the same genes, or is it simply spread of already resistant material? Genome sequencing and comparative genomics indicates that it is all of the above. A recent paper by Kreiner et al tells the story of Amaranth resistance and its origins, particularly with presence in Canadian agriculture. Follow Julia on Twitter @jmkreinz And here is Julia’s website # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

On December 6, 2018 environmental advocate Erin Brockovich published a high-profile opinion piece in The Guardian. The piece was laced with scientific inaccuracies and inflammatory rhetoric about glyphosate, indicating in no uncertain terms that it causes cancer and is present in just about all food. None of these claims are supported by peer-reviewed literature. Further examination shows that Brockovich is a consultant for the law firm that is managing the class action against one company that manufactures the compound. In this week’s podcast Rob Saik and Kevin Folta sit down and discuss the piece and the sad tale of a powerful voice for environment and consumer protection selling out to non-scientific interests. Follow Rob on Twitter @RSaik# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Dr. Thomas Zinnen has worked with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service for almost three decades. His principal job has been sharing information about technology with the state through creative programs and activities. He shares his thoughts on communication with the public, along with some excellent examples of how to get non-scientists to implement scientific reasoning. Follow Tom on Twitter @tmzinnen# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Gary Nolan works in marketing, but enjoys science podcasts, including Talking Biotech. He also frequently blogs about politics, social trends, and science. He finds that he still wrestles with some of the concepts around genetic engineering. This week’s podcast is dedicated to Gary and folks like him– those that want to ask their questions and get honest answers. This week Dr. Kevin Folta answers Gary’s questions about gene editing, transgenic plants and a host of other issues.Follow Gary Nolan on Twitter @lgcllibertarian Website : Logical Libertarian# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Plant breeding is an important discipline, and the foundation of plant genetic improvements. While modern techniques like gene editing sometimes steal the spotlight, the foundational varieties must have outstanding performance before such amendments are remotely relevant. Today plant breeders are in high demand, both in industry and academia. Drs. Patricio Muñoz and Marcio Resende are two early-career plant breeders, working on blueberry and sweetcorn, respectively. Both implement the most modern genomics approaches to breeding and selection, with an eye on accelerating production of new varieties. As relatively recent graduates, both provide their insights into the preparation necessary to find a fulfilling career in plant breeding.Follow Dr. Patricio Muñoz on Twitter @BBerryBreeding Website : Muñoz Lab, Blueberry Breeding at University of Florida Follow Dr. Marcio Resende on Twitter @MarcioResendeJr Website : Resende Lab, Sweet Corn Breeding at University of Florida# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The term “Conflict of Interest” is thrown around a lot these days, mostly to sully reputations or cast doubt on quality research. That perception of what a conflict of interest is, is quite different than what it actually is. Dr. Chris MacDonald is an expert in Conflict of Interest, disclosure and transparency at Ryerson University. We had a great discussion about what a conflict of interest is, how to avoid them, and how to operate in a climate where the term is so frequently misapplied.Follow Dr. MacDonald on Twitter @ethicsblogger Read The Business Ethics Blog The Concise Encylopedia of Business Ethics# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

They are farmers. They also own A&C Liquid Assets, a liquor store in Hoxie, Kansas. Allison and Cole Nondorf saw the Smirnoff commercial where they proudly proclaim that they reject “GMO” seed technology, the same seeds that the Nondorf’s (and most of their community) use on their farms. The idea of selling Smirnoff products when the company brazenly rejects the technology your community depends on, seemed to be incompatible ideas. A&C Liquid Assets pulled all of the products and hopes to bring attention to how companies that support non-scientific, anti-farmer positions need to be called out and not supported.Please be sure to “LIKE” A&C Liquid Assets on Facebook! # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The future gets closer every day, and many argue that technology will radically change the world for the better in the next 20 years– if we have the courage to let it. Matt Ward is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and host of the Fringe FM Podcast. He shares his provocative view of how technology is shifting life and priorities, and how the strangling force of regulation stands to slow progress.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

What do we use to feed our food? From cattle to fish, livestock require substantial inputs to thrive, and a substantial part of that is their feed. This has measurable impacts from the environment to producer costs. Sam Glickstein of Biotrophics has a solution. Sustainability might be surprising, but he offers an excellent solution.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The mango is an incredibly important fruit worldwide, yet little is known about its precise origins or domestication. Today’s podcast explores this important fruit with Dr. Emily Warschefsky, who studied this fruit during her doctoral training. She reveals a surprising background story about this popular fruit.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Today’s episode is where Kevin Folta answers common questions from listeners. In the second half, we discuss the recent lawsuit against LaCroix and the alleged insecticides used as ingredients.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Nitrogen is required for plant growth, and is a significant input in terms of cost and environmental impact. While plants are literally surrounded by nitrogen, it is present in the atmosphere in an unusable form. Some plants (like legumes) have the ability to fix nitrogen, converting it from a gas into a form the plant can use. The idea of somehow moving this important trait from legumes (or microbes) to grain crops has long been considered a holy grail of plant biotechnology. However, the problem is much more complex, and after decades of research it has not been possible. But a land race of maize deep in the heart of corn’s domestication region, selected and cultivated by Indigenous People, may have solved this problem. Researchers, led by Dr. Alan Bennett at UC-Davis identified this type of corn that produces aerial roots that exude a clear mucilage. This carbohydrate-dense liquid hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria that render atmospheric nitrogen usable by the plant. The hope is that the study of the genes that control the plant’s association with the microbes, and study of the microbial communities, may bring about new technologies to help crop plants be less dependent on supplied nitrogen.The article on PLoS Biology The article at The Atlantic# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The drug thalidomide was developed with tremendous promise in managing a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and morning sickness. However, a few years after its common use it became linked to a suite of birth defects, primarily defects in limb development. For almost sixty years scientists have tried to unravel the molecular basis of its action. Dr. Katherine Donovan is a postdoctoral researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University. She was the primary author on recent work that describes the molecular basis of thalidomide-based disorders. Ironically, understanding its roles in developmental disorders also illuminates possible roles in disease treatment, as it is used in treatment of some cancers and may find wider application in the future.Dr. Katherine Donovan’s websiteFollow her on Twitter @kdonovan1008 The Eric Fischer Lab at Dana Farber# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

There is a vanilla crisis. The familiar flavor agent is a mixture of chemicals from an orchid- and there’s not enough being produced to satisfy demand. But Dr. Alan Chambers knows that crisis and opportunity travel together. He is currently engaging in breeding of vanilla orchids, hoping to improve yields and product quality. In this episode he covers vanilla’s natural history, its current challenges in cultivation and future outlook.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

In framing effective discussions about any subject it is important to understand human psychology, and the mistakes we make in debate. It also is important to understand how ingrained human tendencies shape our perceptions and skew our willingness to accept new information. In this episode Itamar Schatz discusses these concepts, concepts that are the basis of his website Effectiviology. We discuss critical thinking and the issues that cloud discussion like confirmation bias, logical fallacy, and other aspects of logic and reason that sometimes are lost in contentious discussion. The goal is to understand these concepts to make us better communicators about science. Visit Itamar’s website: effectiviology.com# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The herbicide glyphosate has been in use for over 40 years. It is non-selective (kills all plants), it is inexpensive and has extremely low toxicity. These attributes made it an important tool for municipalities, farmers, and homeowners. Use increased starting in 1996 with the advent of glyphosate-tolerant (marketed under the brand name “Roundup Ready”) crops, which have expanded in acreage ever since. Rob Saik (@rsaik) is an agronomist with significant experience and accolades in Canadian agriculture. Along with his collaborator Chris Dufault, they compiled and analyzed Ontario government data on glyphosate use, and reported these trends. Rob describes the report and its findings.Download the report at : robertsaik.com # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

This last week podcast host Kevin Folta found himself in a difficult predicament. There was palpable outrage by those affiliated with a science website where he participated in some of their activities. Turns out that Folta also did paid work outside of his university job, which is normal. He was retained by a law firm as a special matters expert, someone to analyze some data in a private mediation. He was bound my confidentiality to not discuss the details of the case. The folks from the science website used public records requests to obtain Folta’s confidential internal university documents requesting permission to perform outside work. These are forms where universities approve participation in paid activities beyond the normal job description. Those requesting the documents read details about the confidential work, and then posted a damaging website where confidentiality was broken, and Folta was accused of being non-transparent. The instance triggered the need for an important discussion. Scientists typically have non-disclosure agreements. Such agreements demand confidentiality. At the same time, we expect them to be completely transparent.Can we simultaneously honor confidentiality and transparency? Probably not. So how can we be trusted communicators in a space where collaborators don’t want their information shared? This discussion between Drs. Paul Vincelli and Kevin Folta hopefully will seed a much needed conversation.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Malaria is a tremendous world health problem, affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the developing (and industrialized) world. One of the most effective therapies is derived from a natural compound produced in the plant Artemisia annua. In this week’s podcast Dr. Ian Graham from the University of York describes the problem of malaria, historical treatments, the use of artemesia and the isolation of artemisinin. Breeding and engineering of plants and microbes to enhance production is discussed.Link to Prof. Graham’s website.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The chicken is by far the most abundant animal farmed on earth, grown for meat and eggs. But where did it come from? What kinds of birds were domesticated? When? Where? What were the traits that came from wild jungle fowl that give us today’s familiar bird? These questions and more are answered by Dr. Greger Larson from Oxford University. Dr. Larson combines data from genomics, archaeology, and anthropology to reconstruct the ancient history of various animals, illuminating how they became part of agriculture. This episode of explores the fascinating history of domestic chickens.Follow Prof Larson: @Greger_Larson # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Plant disease resistance is a complicated arms race between the plant and pathogens. Bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve in lock-step with plants, creating new ways to overcome new disease resistance strategies. Resistance to disease has a foundation in the gene-for-gene model, a model that hypothesizes that plants and pathogens have a molecular relationship with each other that mediates pathogenicity. Today’s podcast features Drs. Lida Derevnina and Chih-Hang Wu, postdoctoral researchers with Sophien Kamoun (@KamounLab) at the Sainsbury Laboratory (@TheSainsburyLab) in Norwich, England. They describe the new thinking of disease resistance as a number of complex layers that integrates many gene-for-gene interactions with other mechanisms in mediating plant defense. Hosted by Paul Vincelli (@pvincell).This is a link to the article in Science. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Dr. David Just studies human behavior and how psychology ties in with economic decisions. His work at Cornell examines the interesting overlays that cause consumers to behave how they do. In this podcast we examine consumer decisions in food, including a discussion about soft drinks, ketchup, meat, and ingredients from genetically engineered crops. We also touch on the “GMO labeling” issue.Follow Dr. Just: @DavidJust1 Also follow his podcast discussions at @MadHatEconomics And download here. # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Alfatoxins are a significant threat to human health and world food security. They are naturally-occurring toxic compounds produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and other species. These fungi thrive on corn, peanuts, wheat, rice and other food staples, and grow well in stored food supplies. The compounds are potent carcinogens, and it is estimated that billions of people suffer from chronic exposure. Today’s guest is Dr. Peter Ojiambo from North Carolina State University. He describes the current state of the problem and solutions, ranging from biocontrols, cultural adjustments and even modern biotechnology techniques.Dr. Ojiambo’s website 74 –Safer Foods with RNAi (beating aflatoxin in maize with HIGS) 104 — Postharvest Solutions in Food Security 114 – Aflatoxin and Groundnut# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The 2016 World Food Prize went to a group that coordinated the breeding, promotion and distribution of the orange-fleshed sweet potato in Africa. One of person on the team was economist Dr. Jan Low. The sweet potato grows well in many parts of Africa. It is not the sweet potato known to westerners. It is white and dry, and more like bread than the well known Thanksgiving sweet potato. At the same time there is widespread vitamin A deficiency, especially among children. Could the orange sweet potato help solve a critical micronutrient deficiency? Dr. Low and her team introduced the orange fleshed sweet potato to Africa, breeding them against locally adapted varieties. The new potatoes were introduced with marketing campaigns, helping introduce new populations to this novel product. Soon, the orange fleshed sweet potato was aiding the diet, saving lives, and creating new entrepreneurial opportunities for African farmers and commerce.Follow Mark: @JanLow1 www.sweetpotatoknowledge.org # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.