Chapter 1.1: Hello! My name is Keenan, and I’m a cancer scientist. I also love going over the amazing stories that Biology has to share, and hopefully these casts make it enjoyable to hear some of them on a time budget. Today’s episode is introductory, covering what I do, cancer, the definition of life, and how philosophy plays a huge role in science. Cancer and the definition of life can be heavy topics, but I hope that you enjoy it!

For Whom the Cell Tolls - Intro

Welcome to For Whom the Cell Tolls! This cast explores the fascinating stories of Biology that I've encountered in my journey as a Biology Professor and lymphoma scientist at Minnesota State University Mankato. Major themes to be explored include cancer, tumorigenesis, new therapy mechanisms, immunology, life/death, disease ecology, microbiology, and evolution, among others. I try to integrate philosophy, culture, and the arts alongside emerging Biology findings to share the stories of life that I have always loved. Enjoy!

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forwhomthecelltolls@gmail.com

Science

Hello! I’m recently returned from my annual ASH meeting where I see all of the latest advances in blood cancers. This specific facet was my favorite: small, insurgent populations of healthy B-cells portend better survival because they prime your T-cells to keep fighting. Super cool! I also have some mother grey stories from the meeting to share that I’m hopeful to get out on another episode. Thank you as always for listening!

024 - Resistance - How Healthy B-cells Fight Back Against Your Tumor

Welcome back! It's been a while. I'm excited to get going again with an episode on the emerging science of "ecotyping" the cells around tumors - the microenvironment. Ecology and Evolution of lymphoma tumors is only half the story. We needed to know more about the state of cells around the tumor. How do they affect the surrounding immune cells? Do they support the tumor? We examine the worst possible scenario: when very little remains except for tumor and support cells. What are the consequences for immune-specific therapies like CAR-T cells? Hopefully this episode provides a good intro to our new tools to measure the TME and how it can further advance precision cancer medicine. I hope that you enjoy!


Steen: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34597589/
Katlov: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33541860/

023 - Depleted - How we are Beginning to Visulize the Tumor Microenvinroment

What do you think? Would the immensely powerful amount of data be a game-changer for medicine? Or does DNA sequencing miss too much of the picture to be worth the cost? This question is an example why we need leaders that understand Biology as genomics becomes hyper-accessible. I do my best to discuss the primary Pros and Cons of each side, along with possible modifications to the proposal. Enjoy!

022 - What if we DNA Sequenced Everybody?

Can your genome match you with a soulmate? Sort of, but we’d need more than just mammal genomes to know... I hope you enjoy, and collect your thoughts on the proposal at the end of the episode if you’re interested!

021 - Netflix’s The One (is it possible) Part II

The Netflix series The One is based on a book with a similar premise: via genome sequencing, we can match you with your best possible partner. The show is a great watch, and the science is not too far outside the possible. In fact, it’s far closer than the Sci-fi elements suggest, although this comes with some caveat changes. This is Part I of a set of episodes related to mass sequencing and how this could relate to medicine, cancer, the inner workings of the genome, and where the human mind falls within that. I hope you enjoy!

For Whom the Cell Tolls - Intro

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