This episode was originally released on November 5, 2024

Dr. Hannah Belcher was already studying autism she found out she herself was Autistic. Getting her diagnosis felt like everything suddenly clicked… but why did it take so long to get answers?

In this episode, Hannah shares her journey and talks about how many Autistic people, especially women, learn to mask their true selves to fit in– causing them to slip through the diagnostic cracks. Then, we invite Dr. John Constantino to break down the genetic underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disoder and related conditions like ADHD—and how science is shaking up the genomic picture of what we thought we knew about this male-female bias.

From outdated theories to “refrigerator mothers,” join hosts Dr. Kaylee Byers and Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye as they comb through the tangled web of sex bias and ask whether our current methods of studying neurodiversity is actually addressing the questions the people with ASD want answered?

A Note on Language:

When talking about Autism - semantics matter. So, it’s important to recognize the nuances of language. Many people in the Autism community prefer identity-first language, such as "Autistic person," as it centers Autism as a core part of their identity. Others, however, may prefer person-first language, like "person with Autism," which places the individual before the condition. We’ve used both forms of language in this episode, and we encourage respecting individual preferences by asking what each person is most comfortable with. For more on this, check out resources like the National Institutes of Health’s guide on writing respectfully about identity and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s explanation of identity-first language.

Additionally, when we refer to ‘Autism risk’ in the context of academic research, it typically means an increased genetic likelihood of receiving an Autism diagnosis. However, we recognize that "risk" can imply a negative connotation (which we do not support.) Instead, we aim to discuss Autism in ways that honour the neurodiversity of all individuals.

Lastly, regarding sex differences in Autism diagnoses, in this episode, we’re talking specifically about sex assigned at birth. Although we mention gender, we want to be clear that we aren’t exploring how Autism diagnoses may vary by gender identity—that area remains understudied! So, our conversation is focused on differences between males and females, and we look forward to seeing more research on the richly complex interactions between gender identitiy and neurodiversity in the future.

Highlights:

(6:32) Growing up undiagnosed

(18:52) The genetic underpinnings of Autism and related neurodiverse conditions

(22:20) Debunking the “female protective effect”

(26:37) A biased assessment

Resources:

1. ‘Taking off the Mask: A Practical Guide for Managing Autistic Camouflaging and Mental Health‘ - Dr. Hannah Belcher

2. Inherited Risk for Autism Through Maternal and Paternal Lineage - National Institute of Health

3. 'Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect’- The Transmitter

4. How ADHD Gender Bias is Slowly, Steadily Harming Females - ADDitude Mag

5. Refrigerator Mothers - A Discredited Cause Of Autism- Autism Help

6. Study challenges idea that autism is caused by an overly masculine brain- Science.org

7. Autism Spectrum Conditions In Women: Diagnosis, Mental Health, And The Role Of Camouflaging- Research Gate

Bowhead whales can live for nearly 2 centuries, weigh as much as 22 elephants, and– surprisingly– rarely get cancer. So what’s their sea-cret? Sarah Lando from Genome BC brings us the splashy new genomic research behind these Arctic giants’ longevity, and what it could mean for the future of cancer research.

Resources

1. “This whale lives for centuries: its secret could help extend human lifespan”- Nature

2. Evidence for improved DNA repair in long-lived bowhead whale - Nature

3. Peto’s Paradox: Large mammals may hold clues in preventing cancer among humans - HealthyDebate

This episode was originally released on December 13, 2022

Stop the presses! New research shows that viruses locked in the Arctic permafrost for thousands of years have the potential to infect present-day organisms. Accompanied with a warming planet, this issue is really starting to thaw out. So what can brave scientists and institutions on the frontlines of tracking diseases do about it? And how can understanding our genomic history with diseases over thousands of years better prepare us in the fight to overcome them?

Dr. Kaylee Byers starts our journey by slinking into a disease-tracking genomics lab at Simon Fraser University to meet Dr. Michael Trimble and Dr. Will Hsiao to understand the challenge of outpacing the rapid evolution of viruses. Then she pops across the ocean to speak with Dr. Birgitta Evengård and Dr. Jean-Michel Claverie about whether the Pandora's box of ancient diseases frozen in the arctic have the potential to become the next global outbreak as temperatures warm. Plus, we unearth ancient burial sites in Vietnam with Dr. Melandri Vlok, to investigate how climate change exacerbates the tension between human health and pathogens.

Special thanks to Dr. Will Hsiao and Dr. Michael Trimble for allowing us to record with them at Simon Fraser University.

Resources:

1. Infection control in the new age of genomic epidemiology | British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory

2. The permafrost pandemic: could the melting Arctic release a deadly disease | Unearthed

3. Viral spillover risk increases with climate change in High Arctic lake sediments | The Royal Society

4. Healthy ecosystems for human and animal health: Science diplomacy for responsible development in the Arctic | The Nordic Centre of Excellence

5. Understanding and Responding to Global Health Security Risks from Microbial Threats in the Arctic: Proceedings of a Workshop | National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine

6. Next pandemic may come from melting glaciers, new data shows | The Guardian

7. Scientists Revived Ancient 'Zombie Viruses' Frozen For Eons in Siberia | Science Alert

8. A 48,500-year-old virus has been revived from Siberian permafrost | NewScientist

9. Anthrax outbreak in Siberia | euro news

10. CBC News: The National | Russia invades Ukraine | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)

11. National Geographic: Explorer Directory, Melandri Vlok | National Geographic

12. Paleoepidemiological Considerations of Mobility and Population Interaction in the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Prehistoric Past | Bioarchaeology International

13. The Epidemiological Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change | Milbank Memorial Fund

14. Forager and farmer evolutionary adaptations to malaria evidenced by 7000 years of thalassemia in Southeast Asia | nature portfolio

15. CARD 2020: antibiotic resistome surveillance with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database | Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University

Listening to and creating music is one of the most universal human experiences. It gets stuck in our heads, makes us cry in the car, and has the power to bring people together – sometimes without even a single word. So for something so deeply ingrained in us - IS IT... ingrained in us? like, in our DNA? it raises a big question: is our connection to music something we learn… or something written into our DNA?

In this special bonus live episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers takes the pod on stage for the very first time to explore the science of music. Joined by neuroscientist Dr. Lara Boyd, clinical geneticist Dr. Alison Castle, and (virtually) behavioural geneticist Dr. Miriam Mosing, our panel unpacks how music shapes and rewires our brains, why it can be such a powerful tool for therapy and lifelong learning, what genes can (and definitely can’t) tell us about musicality– and why music even exists in the first place.

So warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sway in your seat… this is Nice Genes! live.

Special thanks to musician (and recovering physicist) Dr. Martin Austwick for the live musical magic throughout the show.

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Highlights

(7:24) How Opera Training Influences the Brain

(10:30) Music’s Role in Memory and Dementia Prevention

(22:27) Heritability of Musical Behaviour

(36:24) If we could identify specific musical genes, should we?

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Show Notes/Resources:

1. Twin modelling reveals partly distinct genetic pathways to music enjoyment- Nature Communications

2. New multi-faculty research initiative weaves notes and neurons- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

Why Tuberculosis is still the most deadly infectious disease.

Attention, DNA detectives! We’ve got a rat on the loose – but don’t worry, not the snitching, double-agent kind. We’re talking about the whiskered, hyper-skilled, tiny agents who aren't snitching - they're sniffing out one of the world’s deadliest diseases: tuberculosis (TB).

Tuberculosis might sound old-timey, but it’s still the globe’s top infectious killer– growing tougher, more drug-resistant, and hitting hardest where access to care falls short. So for our Season 5 finale, host Dr. Kaylee Byers digs into TB’s fascinating backstory, and teams up with microbiologist Dr. Jennifer Guthrie to figure out why this ancient disease still has such a tight grip, and how genomics is helping track its every move. Along the way, Dr. Zolelwa Sifumba shares her story as a multidrug-resistant TB survivor, and how her treatment journey fuels her advocacy today.

Buckle up: this investigation has it all : science, politics, global inequities… and a squad of extraordinary rats.

Special thanks to APOPO for sending us field recordings and interviews from their HeroRAT training program.

Highlights

(3:42) The history of TB

(8:19) Why TB sits at the top of the global disease podium

(15:30) Meet Zolelwa - a multi-drug-resistant TB survivor

(30:48) The power of education

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Show Notes/Resources:

1. Giant Rats Trained to Sniff Out Tuberculosis in Africa- National Geographic

2. The Making of a HeroRAT: From Tiny Pup to Life-saving Hero- APOPO

3. Tuberculosis: an ancient disease that remains a medical, social, economical and ethical issue- Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene

4. History of World TB Day- CDC

5. The history of tuberculosis- Respiratory Medicine

6. Chapter 12: An introductory guide to tuberculosis care to improve cultural competence for health care workers and public health professionals serving Indigenous Peoples of Canada- Canadian Journal of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

7. Everything is Tuberculosis- John Green

Got a sec?

Kaylee’s popping into your feed with a teensy, weensy favour to ask: if you’re a fan of the podcast, would you do us the honour of leaving Nice Genes! a review?

Not only does it help the show, but it could also score you some very fun, one-of-a-kind prizes (details below).

How to leave a review:

• Apple Podcasts: Scroll to the bottom of our show page, tap those five shiny stars, and tell us what you think.

• Spotify: Tap the star rating at the top of our show page and leave a comment on your favourite episode this season.

Contest details:

• If you leave the pod a review by December 31st and DM a screenshot to @GenomeBC on Instagram, you could win a swag bag, or the chance to maybe even be featured on the show next season.

Your feedback helps our beloved podcast reach new ears, supports the science stories you care about, and lets us know exactly what’s resonating most with you.

So… what are you waiting for? Show the pod a little love and earn yourself a shot at some exclusive Nice Genes! goodies!

Turning up the heat on a life stage science is still catching up to.

Ok, most of us may have gotten “the period talk.” But the “menopause talk?” Not so much. For something that half the world will experience, menopause and perimenopause are still wildly misunderstood. Luckily, the DNA detectives are finally reopening a mystery that’s been overlooked for too long.

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers unpacks the science behind menopause. She calls on educator Shirley Weir to understand what menopause and perimenopause actually are– and why so many people feel dismissed when they try to get answers. Plus, reproductive genomics researcher Dr. Aspasia Destouni reveals what our genes (and a few unlikely informants– from orcas to naked mole rats) can teach us about the rebellious internal clock that drives ovarian aging.

Special thanks to Andrea Rathborne- creator, host and producer of the Half Betty podcast.

A note on language: This episode often uses the terms “women” and “female” interchangeably, but we want to acknowledge that menopause is not experienced exclusively by women. People of various gender identities can go through perimenopause and menopause, and it's important to be inclusive in how we talk about this life stage.

Resources: Menopause and perimenopause can feel isolating, and support isn’t always easy to find. Check out resources below for guidance and trusted support networks.

- Resources to help you on your menopause health journey- Menopause Foundation of Canada

- Menopause & Midlife Health- BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre

- Older Adults - Trans Care BC

- Balancing Your Health and Wellness During Menopause- First Nations Health Authority

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Highlights

(5:05) What are menopause and peri-menopause

(14:09) Why menopause ages on a different timeline than the rest of the body

(20:24) What genomics (and naked mole rats!) reveal about ovarian aging

(24:29) Which animals experience menopause and the evolutionary reasons why

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Show Notes/Resources:

1. Menopause and Perimenopause- Health Link BC

2. ‘Unprepared and Disoriented.’ New Findings on Menopause Impacts- The Tyee

3. IN HER WORDS Women’s Experience with the Healthcare System in British Columbia- BC Women’s Health Foundation, Pacific Blue Cross

4. Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia- Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s

5. Menopause and Work in Canada- Menopause Foundation of Canada

6. Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring- PNAS

7. Demographic and hormonal evidence for menopause in wild chimpanzees- Science

8. Naked mole rats defy the biological law of aging- Science

What genomics can tell us about food safety, the microbiome, and the mind.

You’ve heard the saying, “you are what you eat”... Well, our gut microbes take that very literally. If you’ve ever gone on vacation, eaten something tasty, and next thing you find yourself bonding with a bathroom floor, you’re not alone. Food poisoning might occasionally make for a good story later, but it’s a serious issue that lands millions of people in hospitals every year– and tracing the culprit isn’t always as simple as pointing at last night’s tacos.

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers chats with microbiologist Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, who explains how genomics helps track foodborne outbreaks – from the harmful bacteria in our food to the microbes living inside us. Then, Dr. Mary Sco. dives into the science of the gut-brain connection, revealing how your gut and brain are constantly in conversation.

So grab a snack, and get ready to stomach the science.

Highlights

(4:00) The bacteria behind food poisoning

(10:13) How genomics helps track foodborne outbreaks

(16:35) The microbiome in all its glory, and the gut-brain connection

(23:59) Some poo-ticular scientific treatments

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Resources

1. Yearly food-borne illness estimates for Canada- Government of Canada

2. Salmonella Syst-OMICS – Salmonella Syst-OMICS Consortium

3. Hack Your Health- The Secrets of Your Gut Health- Netflix

4. Probiotics: 100 years (1907-2007) after Elie Metchnikoff's Observation- Research Gate

5. Revisiting Metchnikoff: Age-related alterations in microbiota-gut-brain axis in the mouse- Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

6. Intragastric infection of germfree and conventional mice with Salmonella typhimurium- NIH

7. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial)- BMC Medicine

8. Pick fecal microbiota transplantation to enhance therapy for major depressive disorder- Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

How vector-borne diseases spread– and the critters that carry them

Malaria, Lyme disease, dengue, Zika… what do they all have in common? They’re what we call vector-borne diseases– spread to us by tiny, bite-happy arthropods. These little troublemakers are responsible for 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide, and with climate change and urbanization on the rise, they’re becoming an even bigger threat.

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with insect investigator Dr. Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec to untangle the intricate web of vector-borne disease dynamics, and explain what makes these insects such masterful disease spreaders. Then, Dr. Pooja Swali shares how ancient DNA from thousands of years ago revealed a pathogen’s curious evolutionary switch from one creepy crawly to another.

From mosquitoes to ticks to the not-so-affectionate kissing bug, every insect in this lineup is guilty of something– and genomics is helping us figure out what.

Highlights

(5:51) Vector disease dynamics: The pathogen, the vector, and the host– a love triangle.

(13:10) A neglected disease you may have never heard of.

(17:20) Ancient DNA uncovers the tale of an opportunistic pathogen and a surprising partner in crime.

(26:20) What changes to our environments does to our disease landscape

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Resources

1. Vector-borne diseases- The World Health Organization

2. Ancient DNA used to map evolution of fever-causing bacteria- Science Daily

3. Mapping the distribution of Amblyomma americanum in Georgia, USA- Parasites & Vectors

4. Focal persistence and phylodynamics of Heartland virus in Georgia- Virus Evolution

The genetic clues behind sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals

Every so often, we see headlines about an elite athlete collapsing mid-game. The crowd goes silent, emergency crews rush to the field, and everyone’s left wondering: how could this happen? The truth is, sometimes a hidden heart condition written deep in our DNA will unmask itself on the field.

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with sports cardiologist and cardiogeneticist Dr. Prashant Rao to explore the genetic roots of sudden cardiac events in young athletes. Together, they unpack the most common underlying genetic conditions responsible, what genomics is revealing about the specific genes involved, and the ongoing debate around genetic screening. Plus, the remarkable story of JJ: a young wrestler who survived cardiac arrest thanks to his early genetic diagnosis and fast-acting friends.

Listen in to learn why these devastating events happen, and how genomics is helping keep athletes safely in the game.

Highlights

(7:23) The most common underlying genetic heart conditions

(11:40) Meet the 18 year old wrestler who survived cardiac arrest

(21:32) A hot debate in sports cardiology

(24:51) Tailoring training through genotype

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Resources

1. 78 minutes in the life (and near death) of Fabrice Muamba- The Guardian

2. Reggie Lewis death, explained: Revisiting the tragic passing of Celtics star in 1993- The Sporting News

3. Marc-Vivien Foe death: His legacy 10 years after collapsing on pitch- BBC Sport

4. The day Denmark stood still: Christian Eriksen’s collapse and the heroes who saved him- The Guardian

5. Soccer star speaks out 2 months after collapsing on field mid-game- ABC News

6. Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A 20-Year Study- AHA Journals

7. Sudden cardiac death in the young: the molecular autopsy and a practical approach to surviving relatives- European Heart Journal

8. An 18-Year-Old Athlete Almost Dropped Dead, but Friends Saved His Life: 'It's Really a Miracle'- People Magazine