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

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

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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.

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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

How medical dramas shape the way we think about genomics

Medical dramas have been a staple of television for decades, from iconic primetime hits like Grey’s Anatomy and HOUSE, to newer favorites like The Pitt. It’s easy to get swept up in the high-stakes surgeries, love triangles, and melodramatoc monologues– but when it comes to the science, a second opinion might be in order.

In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers sets out to investigate how these kinds of TV shows shape our perceptions of science. First up, Watson script consultant Dr. Krysta Coyle breaks down some of the biggest genomic missteps medical dramas make, and dishes on what it’s like to be the science voice on set. Then, Ayden Eilmus, a bioethicist and medical drama scholar, explores the evolution of genetics on TV, from problematic eugenics-era storylines to the more complex and ethically rich portrayals we see today.

Hit "play" to uncover how our guilty-pleasure binge watches can have a bigger impact than just entertainment.

Highlights

(3:54) Common genomic missteps on TV

(9:34) What it’s like consulting on a medical TV show

(14:42) Genetics on TV: then and now

(25:57) Why representation matters

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Resources

1. Eugenics and genetic screening in television medical dramas- BMJ Journals

2. Genetics in Television Medical Dramas- J Lit Sci

3. How Accurate Are Medical TV Shows?- Cleveland Clinic

4. Eugenics: Its Origin and Development (1883 - Present)- National Human Genome Research Institute 

5. Watson Episode 12 recap: Bioengineered chaos, betrayal, and Moriarty’s return- Soap Central

6. Private Practice (2007, S1E6)

7. Chicago Hope S5E12

8. Grey's Anatomy, (2015, S11E10)

How new genomic approaches are helping diagnose and treat our tiniest patients

Welcoming a new baby brings boundless love, joy, and the usual sleepless nights of early parenthood. But in the NICU, when a newborn is unexpectedly sick, it’s the uncertainty that keep parents awake.

In this episode, our investigation takes us inside the neonatal intensive care unit, where genomic tools are mapping medical mysteries in record time. You’ll hear the remarkable story of “Baby KJ,” the first newborn to receive a personalized CRISPR treatment; insights from pediatric geneticist Dr. Tara Wenger on how new approaches to testing are changing care; and the story of Meredith Thomas– a mother whose fight for answers helped uncover a diagnosis that saved her daughter’s life.

From faster diagnoses to fairer care, join Dr. Kaylee Byers to learn how these genomic breakthroughs are redefining what’s possible for newborns and their families.

Highlights

(3:50) A study that changes the way we test ill newborns

(9:00) Meet a mother who advocated for her sick daughter

(13:56) A visit from the genetics team and a life saving diagnosis

(19:12) Making healthcare more equitable

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Resources

1. World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

2. SeqFirst: Building equity access to a precise genetic diagnosis in critically ill newborns- The American Journal of Human Genetics

3. Implementation of First-Line Rapid Genome Sequencing in Non–Critical Care Pediatric Wards- The Journal of Pediatrics

4. Genetic Non-Discrimination Act- The Government of Canada

How wastewater surveillance is tracking diseases outbreaks

When you flush your toilet, where does the waste go? Down the pipes, through the sewers, and into a… lab? That’s right, hidden in our collective waste is a archive of genomic clues revealing our health, habits, and maybe even happiness levels.

In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers teams up with Dr. Jess Steier from the Unbiased Science podcast as they dive into the world of wastewater surveillance. Along the way, they enlist a seasoned “poo detective,” Dr. Natalie Prystajecky, who wades through some wastewater 101, and how sewage can tip us off to disease outbreaks before symptoms even start. Then, Dr. Yemisi Bokinni brings the investigation to the not-so-small town of Makoko, Nigeria, where a new genome sequencing lab is chasing an old culprit: polio.

From your neighbourhood sewers to global health and future pandemics, we're using genomics to identify poo dunnit.

Highlights

(3:26) Wastewater 101: Dr. Natalie Prystajecky flushes out the basics

(9:07) Diving into the murky ethics of wastewater surveillance

(19:13) Tracking down polio in a floating village

(26:45) Can wastewater tip us off to the next pandemic

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Resources

1. Wastewater Surveillance– BC Centre for Disease Control

2. Wastewater surveillance tells a quiet story of polio’s return– BMJ

3. Nigeria’s polio battleground'– Nature

4. Makoko: ‘Venice of Lagos’– SmartCities Dive

Every mystery leaves a trail of clues. Fingerprints, call logs, maybe some tire tracks… or, of course, DNA. And when it comes to mysteries about our health, there are no shortages of leads to chase.

This season, join host, Dr. –or Detective– Kaylee Byers and the Nice Genes! CSI unit as we investigate the genomic breadcrumbs shaping the way we age, treat diseases– and even watch TV. We’ll uncover how “poo water” can tip us off to pandemics before they spread, to why some of the fittest athletes suddenly collapse on the field. And if you thought you smelled a “rat,” well, you’d be correct. Because we'll also learn how our rodent sidekicks are helping us sniff out the world's deadliest infectious disease.

Explore these cases and more in Nice Genes! season 5: “DNA Detectives”– resolving the genetic riddles behind our health, one story at a time.

Click here for tickets and more information about the Nice Genes! Live podcast event on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025.