Genetics (Audio)

In this talk, Cynthia Beall (Case Western Reserve Univ) describes different patterns of adaptive biological characteristics among high-altitude native populations and the accumulating evidence explaining why and how those different responses came about.

Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 31607]

Treating depression can be a slow process. Even after pinpointing the correct medication, it can still take weeks to take effect. Abraham A. Palmer, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego joins our host Dr. David Granet to discuss his work uncovering of the molecular and cellular underpinnings of depression. Dr. Palmer and his team are exploring how inhibiting the Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) enzyme can reduce signs of depression. He explains the science behind the discovery and the implications for new, faster-acting treatments.

Series: "Health Matters" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 32383]

Genetics underlies all cancers. Early-onset cancer, multiple primaries, family history, and ancestry can suggest inherited risk. UCSF Dr. Jocelyn Chapman and genetic counselor Julie Mak explain that genetic testing with multi-gene tests identify inherited risk and can improve early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer. But tests vary widely in quality and scope. Find out what you need to know to make the best decisions about managing complex genetic information.

Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 32076]

UC San Francisco's Matthew State provides a fascinating account of how the explosion of access to genetic information has led to a much deeper understanding of Autism and the possibility of developing interventions to treat Autism and other impairments such as Schizophrenia and Epilepsy. Series: "Influence of Early Experience on Adult Brain Organization and Function - Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind Symposium" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 31766]

MIT's Mark Bear presents a fascinating account of how understanding neural plasticity, or the ability to modify the function of neurons, led to a novel treatment for visual impairment in Amblyopia, and may reveal pathways to treat other neurological conditions. Series: "Influence of Early Experience on Adult Brain Organization and Function - Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind Symposium" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 31765]

Matthias Meyer (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology) discusses the technical difficulties one faces when working with poorly preserved ancient material and the insights this work provides into human evolution in the Middle Pleistocene (e.g., the 400,000 year-old hominin remains from a cave site in Northern Spain).

Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 30977]

The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego presents J. Craig Venter, the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Human Longevity Inc. as the keynote speaker for its 2017 Michael Kriegler Memorial Lecture. Venter describes in fascinating detail how researchers saved his life by diagnosing his own prostate cancer using new imaging techniques that caught what routine biopsies had missed. Venter shares other stories of breakthroughs that demonstrate how genomics-based technology is transforming the practice of medicine. Venter is introduced by Ashley Van Zeeland, a Rady alumna with significant experience leading innovative scientific programs, including groundbreaking work in the genetics of autism, neurodevelopmental disorders and other rare genetic pediatric diseases.

[Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 31915]

Collectively rare disorders are more prevalent than cancer and many other commonly known diseases. It might seem obvious that something that is rare should warrant little of our attention. But science does not move in a straight line. A case could be made that exploratory, basic research might result in as much or more progress than research targeted only to the most common diseases. These choices must be made in the context of multiple stakeholders including healthcare professionals, scientists, funders of research, regulators, and patients. Hudson Freeze, Professor of Glycobiology & Director of the Human Genetics Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute explains the pervasiveness of rare disorders and the kinds of research being done. Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Education] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 31826]

J. Craig Venter, founder, chair and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute and co-founder of two private genomics companies, recounts his breakthroughs in genome sequencing and shares new research on fighting cancer tumors with personalized vaccines. Venter is presented by the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute at UC San Diego. Series: "UC Wellbeing Channel " [Health and Medicine] [Professional Medical Education] [Show ID: 31734]

"My mother's kin are not my father's kin."  David Haig (Harvard Univ) explains in this talk that this asymmetry results in conflicting selective forces acting on genes of maternal and paternal origin revealed in the phenomenon of genomic imprinting.  He provides several examples of disorders of imprinted gene expression. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 31602]