Nice Genes!

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What do you get when you cross a polar bear and a grizzly… and why should you care?

In this episode of Nice Genes!, host Dr. Kaylee Byers and National Geographic explorer Dr. Christine Wilkinson look into the mysterious case of pizzly bears, a rare hybrid between polar bears and grizzlies. Together they speak with Dr. David Paetkau, whose team unravelled this strange genomic crossbreeding after receiving more and more sightings coming from the Arctic Circle. Is this hybridization occurring because of climate change? They also speak with Wiuikinuxv scientist Jennifer Walkus, who gained local notoriety for her efforts in ending the trophy hunt of grizzly bears in British Columbia.

Special thanks to Gaelen Krause, Captain of the Island Odyssey with Bluewater Adventures and Ellie Lamb, Naturalist and Hiking Guide.

Click here for this episode's Learn-A-Long!

Resources:
1. Lions, tigers, and Whatsitbears | zoohistories.com: 
2. Recent Hybridization between a Polar Bear and Grizzly Bears in the Canadian Arctic | JSTOR
3. Arctic hybrids not a good sign, warn scientists | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)
4. "Bears Teach Us" -- Sharing With All Our Relations | Watershed Sentinel 
5. DNA analysis of grizzly bears aligns with Indigenous languages | raincoast.org: 
6. How Indigenous Knowledge is helping to protect Canada's grizzlies | National Geographic
7. Pizzly or grolar bear: grizzly-polar hybrid is a new result of climate change | The Guardian
8. Province ends controversial grizzly bear trophy hunt | Global News
9. Glacial ice supports a distinct and undocumented polar bear subpopulation persisting in late 21st-century sea-ice conditions | Science
10. Sockey salmon collapse due to lack of food, study says | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)
11. One Health Basics | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 

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Species loss, warming temperatures, and pollution are just the tip of the iceberg concerning the challenges of climate change. Oh, and you can forget about that iceberg... because it's melting too. The point is, it's easy to feel down on our luck on this planet we all know and love. But what if we don't have to feel that way?

On Season 2 of Nice Genes! we look into the incredible science, bold missions, and brainy ideas that give us hope for the spinning rock we call home. Through tools like genomics and confronting big ethical questions, we can see a glimmer of a brighter tomorrow.

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Solving murder mysteries with genomics

[TW: murder, mention of suicide, violent imagery]

In order to seek genomic justice, you have to get out of the lab and into the field.

Dr. Kaylee Byers grabs a magnifying glass and a deerstalker cap as she goes to the scene of one of North America’s oldest cold case murder mysteries, the “Babes in the Woods.” This over 70-year-old unsolved case has finally had some closure due to emerging forensic genomic science.

But while looking for leads, Dr. Byers spots a bright red thread pointing her to questions about how our genomics are being accessed by law enforcement. How can genomics bring justice to unsolved mysteries? And at what cost are we willing to pay to find answers?

Genetic Genealogist, Cece Moore, from ABC’s Prime time series The Genetic Detective helps connect the dots. And partnering with us to get to the bottom of one of Canada’s oldest mysteries is true crime author and podcaster Eve Lazarus from Cold Case Canada.

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Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3vULWxp

Warning. This episode contains details of murder mysteries, suicide, and ongoing investigations some listeners may feel uncomfortable with.

Resources: 

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Just like any good superhero comic, we start this episode with the science going incredibly wrong. Think: vats of toxic waste producing evil mutants that ravage the city. Or maybe not so evil. It really depends on your perspective. Just like the X-men, genetic mutations get a bad rap in the public eye. But they aren’t all nasty.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with data scientist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Brian Arnold on how the genetic ‘mistakes’ known as variants occasionally encode incredible abilities. Odd elephants, immortality hiding in our ocean depths, and Rogue-ish bacteria are just a few examples. Dr. Arnold defends these genetic anomalies, and explains how they can make a huge difference to the future of humanity and life on this planet. Also joining us is marine biologist Dr. Maria Pia Miglietta, who shares an incredible ability sitting in our ocean depths. Immortality.

So strap on your capes, because we’re heading straight into the strange terrain of “heroic mutations.” 

Listen to Nice Genes! wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3bey4XT

Resources: 

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Race is not genetic.

TW: racism, systemic racism

What exactly is the relationship between race and genetics? And where do concepts of ancestry and identity enter the conversation? In the realm of genomics, these are myths waiting to be busted.

“What does the information stored in our genomes tell us about our past and our present?” Dr. Kaylee Byers and Co-host Dr. Shawn Hercules join forces to break into this fundamental question of science, ancestry and race.  First, they speak with “Genet-SIS” and Executive Producer of the podcast In Those Genes, Dr. Janina Jeff (A.K.A. “Dr.J²”) about how race is really a social construct. Together, they delve into the important distinctions we must make between ancestry and race in order to better understand our biology. 

Dr. Hercules discusses their research into advanced breast cancer in Caribbean and West African women and how it relates to hereditary genes. This opens the conversation up to how scientists need to be mindful when working with marginalized communities to extract genetic information. Finally, globe-trotting scientist and ancient DNA expert Dr. Eske Willerslev, shares stories of his intercultural journeys to understand human ancestry and migration around the world. Join us for this fascinating episode about race, ancestry, and genomics without borders.

Listen to Nice Genes! wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia. 

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3zgWKrS

Resources: 

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How the hunt for wild species leads to eDNA

Most of us have a hard-enough time looking for our cell phone chargers in the dark. So imagine trying to find something that’s hidden high in building rafters, deep in muddy bogs, or scattered across endless savannahs. And now, imagine the thing you’re looking for has fangs… and sharp claws.

Dr. Kaylee Byers and her wing-woman Dr. Cylita Guy, call-in wildlife conservationist Gabi Fleury to assist in answering, ‘How do you find that which doesn’t want to be found? And should you?’ Globally speaking, does our need to turn over every rock to find vulnerable species really intersect with conservation? Rats, bats, and cheetahs weasel their way into this exciting conversation on how the study of genomics may be the “hopping off point” into a more sustainable future.

Also joining us is world famous DNA scientist, professor and globe-trotting adventurer Dr. Eske Willerslev, sharing the secret weapon he pioneered to find some of the world’s most elusive creatures.

Listen to 'Nice Genes!' wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3QlLVue

Resources: 

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Can genomics find the perfect antidepressant for your body?

[TW:MH,MI]
This episode discusses mental health and mental illness. If you, or someone you know, needs support, call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 or find Canada-wide resources right here.

The world of pharmacology helps a lot of people manage mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. But, frankly, it can often be a bumpy road to discover the right medication for your body.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with award-winning Genetic Counselor Dr. Jehannine Austin on how pharmaco-genomics is taking the guesswork out of prescriptions by observing your unique DNA blueprint. Spitting in tubes, traversing the ‘Dark Genome’ and navigating mountains of optimistic (and not so optimistic) data may just hold the key to unlocking the enigmas of genomic science and psychiatry.

With special appearances from Behavioral Neuroendocrinologist Dr. Travis Hodges and pharmaco-genomic testing partner Lisa Ridgway, we discuss the lived experiences and behavioral indicators of those living with complex mental health ailments.

Listen to 'Nice Genes!' wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3HGGses

Resources:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Genomics? Isn’t that just Genetics? Are we making up words now?”  

Look, we get it.

'Nice Genes!' host Dr. Kaylee Byers talks with neuroscientist and science communicator Dr. Samantha Yammine (‘Science Sam’) to get the downlow on what “genomics” actually means. They’ll explore extinct species, secret photographs, and the DNA jungle that lies within our brains; all just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discovering the fabulous possibilities of genomics. Suit up and put your nerd snorkels on, people, because we’re diving in! 

Listen to 'Nice Genes!' wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3Hq4lqM

Resources:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From healthcare and biotechnology to forests and fisheries, the evolving study of genomics is leading to some of the most exciting and world-changing discoveries in science and medicine. Like – did you know that your individual genomic signature can help determine the healthcare treatment you receive? Or that mapping the genomes of trees can inform forest management? 

But while the study of genomics holds great promise for the health of people, animals, and the environment, it also confronts us with big questions: How do we study genetic patterns in a way that respects sensitive genetic information, history and equity? How do we use the power of genomic research to fight climate change? Save the salmon?

Join Dr. Kaylee Byers – a self-described “rat detective” and science communicator as she guides you through fascinating conversations about the what, the why, and the how of genomics.

Listen to 'Nice Genes!' wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.