By Shekerah Primus & Fatu Badiane
Celebrating the untold stories, the extraordinary discoveries, and the inspiring lives led by those whose jobs, passions, hobbies and more embody their love of science. Hear stories about -- the de
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The podcast currently has 58 episodes available.
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For our first Science Shorty of the season, we are continuing with the exploration of color and biology, but this time no chickens or other fowl. Instead, we will explore some of the color patterns staring us right in the face—eye color and eye color genetics. Why do people have blue, green, hazel or even purple eyes? Hint: It’s all about the layers of the irides. How are those traits for eye color passed down from parent to child? Hint: Mendel’s rules don’t apply here, at least not completely. There’s more to it than meets the eye! To learn more about eye color and the interesting genetics behind it, listen to the episode.
Tune into this episode to learn:
- What kinds of melanin are responsible for which eye colors
- How irides and eye structure influence eye color
- The interconnectedness of two genes, HERC2 and OCA2, on eye color and the influence on color inheritance
If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more:
- Ep 54: The colorful life of bird eggs - chickens and turkeys
- Ep 44: The colorful life of bird eggs
- Ep 55: CRISPR food science
Resources:
1. Genotype-phenotype associations and human eye color by White and Rabago- Smith in Journal of Human Genetics (2011)
2. What color are your eyes? Teaching the genetics of eye color and vision by Mackey in Nature (2021)
3. Eye Colors from Cleveland Clinic
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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Welcome back for season 4! This season we have so many amazing guests and other episodes lined up for our audience. But, before we get into that, let’s go back to revisit with our past guests on how it all started–how did they get their start in science? What influenced them to follow this career path? What surprised them along the way? From family encouragement and supportive teachers to enjoying the natural world and simply realizing what is and isn’t a good fit, our guests over the last season have proven that many different paths and experiences lead to a love of science. Listen to the origin stories from Richard, Adriana, Jishad, Maria, Laura, Ijeoma, and Cari.
If you haven’t heard their entire journey episodes, be sure to check those out too!
Episode 52 - Dr. Richard Summers
Episode 49 - Dr. Adriana Bankston
Episode 46 - Dr. Jishad Kumar
Episode 43 - Dr. Maria Qadri
Episode 40 - Dr. Laura Canil
Episode 37 - Dr. Ijeoma Kola
Episode 34 - Dr. Cari Skrdla
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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In the Season 3 finale, We Love Science presents a special episode ALL ABOUT FOOD!! Specifically, we discuss how CRISPR gene editing technology is being used to improve our food and agricultural industry.
Gene editing in plants has two main goals. The first goal satisfies consumer preferences for food enjoyment, like improved taste and freshness. The second category of food edits is aimed at solving food supply issues and the growing food insecurity. To this end, researchers have targeted agricultural traits for improvement.
CRISPR gene editing has also been used to improve our livestock and fish supply.
While most of these products are still in development, some CRISPR gene-edited foods are already commercially available in the United States and abroad.
Tune in to learn about:
· How CRISPR gene editing can save our oceans' coral reefs from the effects of climate change
· Where to find conscious greens engineered to taste better, and the non-browning banana that stays fresh longer
· Food engineered to improve the eating experience: blackberries, cherries, and mandarins
· More nutritious tomatoes that can strengthen the immune system
· How CRISPR is being used to improve agriculture with increased crop yield, disease-resistant crops etc.
· The delicious flatbread, Injera, made from Teff grain
· CRISPR-edited animals in the U.S and Japan
· Listener Spotlight: Dave in Japan
Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes:
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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The egg color saga continues as Fatu and Shekerah look into how domesticated birds like chickens and turkeys got their egg colors. In the previous episode, we learned that the breed of chicken is responsible for egg color and this is all linked to the genetics of the rooster and hen. In the US for example, Leghorn chickens are the most common breed for egg-laying and they always produce white eggs, while Orpington’s lay brown eggs and Ameraucana lay blue eggs. Through many years of research, scientists have discovered exactly which genes in chickens are associated with egg color. For chickens that lay blue eggs like the Ameraucana and Dongxiang they both have the SLCO1B3 gene. And even more interesting, this gene has a specific mutation caused by an avian retrovirus that directly changes the way this gene is expressed to produce the blue egg color. So it is both the presence of the SLCO1B3 gene and the avian retrovirus mutation in Ameraucana and Dongxiang that is responsible for the trait of blue egg color. Even with the whole spectrum of the colors available to chicken eggs, consumer preference and culture ultimately determine what color eggs are sold around the world. Europeans have different color preferences compared to Americans and Japanese and this leads to the different egg colors across countries. To hear more about chicken egg color, and even turkey egg color listen to the episode.
Tune into this episode to learn more about:
If you enjoyed this episode, check out one more:
Sources:
Refine localizations of functional variants affecting eggshell color of Lueyang black-boned chicken in the SLCO1B3
An EAV-HP Insertion in 5′ Flanking Region of SLCO1B3 Causes Blue Eggshell in the Chicken
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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In this episode of "We Love Science," hosts Shekerah and Fatu delve into the safety and ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR gene editing technology. Joined by special guest, Irina Gostimskaya, we explore the complexities and implications of advances in biomedical technology, including the use of CRISPR in humans.
The main purpose of ethical guidelines in biomedicine is to protect patients and ensure responsible scientific conduct. Past abuses of biomedical technology including inhumane medical experiments set the stage for modern bioethics. Key moments that shaped current ethical guidelines include: the 1947 Nuremberg Code developed after the trial of Nazi doctors, and the 1978 Belmont Report issued in response to an unethical Syphilis study conducted on African American men.
Throughout the decades, groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology have compelled the scientific community to unite in discussion to create new guidelines for their responsible and ethical use. The advent of CRISPR genetic engineering has been met with the same commitment to responsible application of the technology and ethical biomedical conduct.
Tune in to learn about:
· Historical context of Bioethics
· Safety concerns with DNA manipulation
· CRISPR-specific safety issues
· Ethical challenges with CRISPR gene editing
· The CRISPR babies scandal
Jump directly to the Last episode in the CRISPR series:
Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes:
· Ep 35: The first CRISPR Chronicles episode: How CRISPR gene therapy is bringing hope to the world
· Ep 38: A foundational discussion explaining the secret behind CRISPR gene therapy
· Ep 41: A look into the ups and downs of how the CRISPR saga developed
· Ep 47: The CRISPR Cure for Sickle Cell Disease
· Ep 50: CRISPR clinical trials
Also check out:
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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We continue our conversation with Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi, to learn more about his career journey. Richard’s first science spark moment hit him very clearly when he was a young high schooler– he experienced first hand a lunar eclipse with his friends and this experience instilled in him a wonder for the natural world and the interconnectivity of all things. As a high school student, however, his mind was not focused yet on a potential career path; he just wanted to be cool. Once Richard entered college, he dedicated his time to find a suitable career path and spent weeks reading countless books in the college library. After reading hundreds of pages, Richard was still undecided. But he came to a wonderful conclusion: “I did realize one thing. I was limited in my understanding of what was in any of those books only by the amount of mathematics I could understand." This drive to fill in the gaps of his knowledge led Richard to pursue a degree in mathematics with a minor in physical chemistry. From his undergraduate coursework, Richard also gained an appreciation for the role of the observer within biology and this inspired him to go to medical school. His first week in medical school, however, came as a shock, when he realized there were no equations in his anatomy textbooks. After Richard graduated medical school, he had a full career as a doctor and academic. Although he has written many peer-reviewed articles throughout that time, it was not until much later in life that he considered writing books to share his ideas with broader audiences. When Richard reflects back on the many influential mentors who impacted his journey, he is grateful for two mentors he had as a post-doc after medical school. His mentors helped him to understand how to think and reason, which are lessons he carries even to this day. Now that he is retired, Richard notes that the best and worst thing about retirement is waking up and having to decide what to do everyday. Currently his family and grandchildren help him to fill the time and truly feel fulfilled in life. Listen to the episode to hear more!
In this episode, Richard will share with us:
You can find Richard’s latest book here: Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding our Place in the Universe
Reach out to Richard by email: [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, also be sure to check out: From Post doc to Assistant Professor: The Journey
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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In this episode of We Love Science, Fatu and Shekerah explore a world that few modern-day scientists have explored, the intersection of science and philosophy. Today we are speaking with Dr. Richard Summers, a theoretical biologist and emeritus professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His career spans from chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine to vice chancellor for research. Richard has also led cutting-edge research to understand how the human body responds to zero-gravity environments, and has even worked directly with NASA. Throughout his career, between his lab research and academic leadership positions, Richard has co-authored more than 300 publications and books.
His most recent book is “Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding Our Place in the Universe”. This book explores the rich history of the origins of science as a way of creating our worldview and understanding our place, as humans, in the world–natural philosophy, as it used to be called. The origin story of science is not only about how we as humans observe and experience the world; interestingly, it can also be deeply influenced by religious perspectives, especially during times in history when religious authorities strongly influenced what was accepted in broader society.
“We think of science, philosophy, and religion as being completely separate and conflicting schools of thought. My book connects the dots between the scientific perspective and those of philosophy and religion–on a broad scale,” explains Richard. An overarching theme of all three is to have a better experience and understanding of our world. When it comes to writing, Richard believes that good writing just has to flow, and this means writing can be slow, arduous, and often frustrating. However, this also means that it’s important to sit and try every day. Listen to the episode to learn more about Richard’s work and his book.
Tune in to hear Richard explain:
You can find Richard’s latest book here:
Science as Natural Philosophy and Finding Our Place in the Universe
Reach out to Richard: [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, also be sure to check out:
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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We Love Science podcast celebrates our 50th episode with a discussion all about the hopes and progress of CRISPR clinical trials. Before a new drug, therapy, vaccine, or medical device is approved for general use by the public, its safety and effectiveness are evaluated in a series of tests on volunteers. These Clinical Trials progress in 3 successive phases with each phase designed to answer specific questions about the product under evaluation. Questions can include: What side effects does it cause? What is the lowest effective dose? What is the highest safe dose? Does it improve patients’ quality of life? Is it an effective cure for the disease in question? How does it compare to the current treatments (if any are available) for that particular disease?
Currently, only one CRISPR gene therapy, Casgevy, is approved for public use. It is approved in several countries to treat the blood disorders, Sickle Cell Disease and Beta Thalassemia. However, many CRISPR clinical trials are still ongoing; they span ~ 10 major disease categories and occupy every clinical trial phase. In this episode, we discuss the successes and challenges of CRISPR clinical trials to cure HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular disease, and others.
Tune in to learn more about:
· What questions do successive clinical trial phases answer?
· How can CRISPR technology cure HIV/AIDS?
· The results for the hereditary amyloidosis treatment, which is now in phase III of clinical trials
· Listener question: An update for Sickle Cell Disease CRISPR treatments
For more information on this topic, visit our website: welovesciencepodcast.com
Useful Links: US and EU clinical trials databases:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/
https://euclinicaltrials.eu/?lang=en
Jump directly to the next episodes in the CRISPR series:
Catch up on the previous CRISPR episodes:
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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We continue our conversation with Dr. Adriana Bankston, founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC to learn more about her career path. Her journey of discovery started close to home, in a family filled with scientists–from her grandparents to her parents. As an undergraduate at Clemson University, she was introduced to the world of research through a summer program. From there her interests blossomed, and in graduate school, at Emory University, she conducted research in muscular dystrophy for her dissertation. This experience also allowed her to volunteer with patients and instilled the understanding of the social impact of science. “What you are doing actually impacts real people,” Adriana explains. As she completed graduate school, her attention grew to understanding the obscure world of postdoctoral salaries, how such positions are defined, and the policies behind the status quo. This initial project led her to the world of advocacy and finding strategic ways to solve these challenges within science. Along the way, Adriana has also had several inspiring mentors, starting with her graduate school advisor: one of two female researchers within the department. With her positive experience as a mentee, Adriana now dedicates her time to mentoring graduate students and others who are new to the world of advocacy and policy. Looking to the future, she is excited about starting as an inaugural AAAS Congressional Policy Fellow sponsored by the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy which will allow her to work directly on Capitol Hill, a change from advocating on the outside. In addition to her experience in advocacy and policy, Adriana is also a science writer; as someone who describes herself as having too many opinions, writing has been an excellent outlet to share some of her ideas with the world. After you listen to the podcast, also read her latest blog post on the podcast website: https://welovesciencepodcast.com/f/how-policymaking-works-and-how-scientists-can-engage
And if you want to learn more about science policy, Adriana will lead a workshop hosted by Genetics Society of America: Register here
Tune into this episode to hear Adriana explain:
Reach out to Adriana:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/
Website: https://adrianabankston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianaBankston
Other Great Episodes:
Ep 5: FORE Advocating Change - Part 2
Ep 7: STEMLand Future of Science - The Journey
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
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In this episode, we explore policy for science with Dr. Adriana Bankston Founder and CEO, Bankston Policy Consulting LLC. As an advocate for science and research, Adriana shares the outcomes of research with members of Congress to support the continued support of federally funded research by policymakers. The funding that science gets every year is greatly impacted by what happens in Washington DC, specifically by political factors such as who is elected and general pro-science sentiments. As an entrepreneur and founder of her own policy consulting firm, Adriana has been excited to delve into different projects for her clients. One of the challenges of working for herself, however, which she has to balance, is constantly searching for work and opportunities and understanding how best to place value on her expertise when billing clients based on what others are willing to pay. In the course of her current work, she has found many connections between working at the lab bench and working in policy, especially in how to manage multiple projects and work with multiple partners toward common goals. Adriana admits that shifting her career focus away from bench work has been a steep learning curve. “You are starting from the bottom; you have to be ok with not knowing how things work,” she explains regarding the challenge of how to get comfortable learning how to become a professional in a new world. Even with this, however, Adriana loves following her passion with her work. To hear more about what it means to promote policy for science, listen to Adriana’s story. And, to dive deeper into the complex world of science policy, read Adriana's blog post at welovesciencepodcast.com
Reach out to Adriana:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianabankston/
Website: https://adrianabankston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrianaBankston
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to also check out:
Ep 4: FORE Advocating Change - Part 1
Ep 6: STEMLand Future of Science - The Work
Ep 18: The Truth about Food - The Work
Reach out to Fatu:
www.linkedin.com/in/fatubm
Twitter: @thee_fatu_b
and [email protected]
Reach out to Shekerah:
www.linkedin.com/in/shekerah-primus
and [email protected]
Music from Pixabay: Future Artificial Intelligence Technology 130 by TimMoor
Music from https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes: Hotshot by ScottHolmesMusic
The podcast currently has 58 episodes available.