BioTA Podcast

Every day, your body fights a quiet, microscopic war. But how does the immune system know what to attack and what to leave alone? In this episode, Dr. Katriana Popichak, a researcher who focuses on how immune and inflammatory responses shape human health, helps us understand what the immune system is, how vaccines train it without giving you the disease, and how inflammation, meant to protect us, can sometimes be the root cause of some serious diseases. 

What do a Cold War assassination, a vengeful ex-spouse, and a hit TV show all have in common? A poison so powerful it can shut down protein synthesis entirely. In this episode, we break down the central dogma of biology and describe what protein synthesis is, how it works, and how one of the deadliest natural toxins known can bring the process to a complete stop.

The Gram stain is a cornerstone of microbiology labs, but what is it actually telling us, and why does it work? In this episode, Jimena and Emma unpack the history and logic of the Gram stain, explain how differences in bacterial cell walls drive the result, and share practical tips for improving your staining technique.

Revisit this holiday episode that looks into the botanical origins of many Christmas traditions in Saturnalia, Yule, and other winter celebrations.

We’re reposting one of our most popular episodes! Learn about the botanical origins and symbolism of this ancient holiday. Happy Halloween!

What do dogs and dandelions have in common? More than you’d think. Both are products of artificial selection. Sometimes it’s deliberate, and sometimes totally accidental. In this episode, we dig into how human choices (and mistakes) have shaped species in surprising ways. From the lovable evolution of dogs to the rise of unstoppable, herbicide-resistant weeds, we explore how artificial selection can create both best friends… and botanical enemies.

In this episode, we continue exploring microbiology by talking with Dr. Katriana Popichak about the tiny troublemakers all around us: bacteria and viruses. What are they? How do they infect us? And, more importantly, how can we push back against them? Grab some hand sanitizer and settle in as we untangle fact from fiction about microbes, antibiotics, vaccines, and the science of keeping microbes under control so they don’t ruin your day. 

In this second episode on antibiotics, the Infectious Minds duo explores an unintended, and occasionally terrifying consequence of these life-saving drugs, antibiotic resistance. What exactly is antibiotic resistance? How did it arise? And what kind of microbial “monsters” are we now up against? This episode unpacks the fundamental science behind one of medicine’s most urgent and literally evolving threats.

For most of human history, even a simple scrape could turn deadly. Then came antibiotics. They were powerful, mysterious, and world-changing. But what exactly are they? Where did they come from, and how do they work? In this episode, the Infectious Minds student podcasters step into the studio to bring you the science and share the story behind one of medicine’s most important discoveries.

In this episode, we sink our teeth into the world of vampire bats and rabies. Two fearless researchers take us from their jungle field sites to the lab as they track how hungry bats can spread viruses, including rabies! They also share what to do if you ever encounter a bat, raccoon, or other suspicious critter lurking in your home or yard. It’s a tale of blood, viruses, and the intersection of wildlife and human health.