Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

New Frontiers in Therapeutic Peptides - Dr. Karsten Eastman

Kevin Folta — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:45:19 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Karsten Eastman discusses the significance of peptides in biology and their therapeutic potential. He explains the roles of peptides, particularly GLP-1 therapeutics, and the challenges associated with their stability and bioavailability. The conversation delves into nature's strategies for enhancing peptide stability and how Sathera Therapeutics is innovating in this space to create more effective peptide-based therapies. The discussion also touches on the business model of Sathera and its focus on rare cancers and anti-inflammatory treatments.

Genetic Variation in Vegetative Propagation - Dr. Danelle Seymour

Kevin Folta — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:57:45 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Danelle Seymour discusses the genetic anomoliies observed in the vegetative propagation of tree crops, particularly citrus. The conversation delves into the importance of preserving genetic material through grafting, the challenges of genetic variation in vegetatively propagated plants, and the role of mutations in these processes. Dr. Seymour shares insights from her research on the historic Washington Naval orange tree and the implications of somatic mutations for breeding and disease resistance in citrus.

Conditionally Active Therapeutics - Dr. Neela Patel, Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh

Colabra — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 04:43:29 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Neela Patel and Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh from Bonum Therapeutics about the emerging field of conditionally active biologics. They discuss the challenges of current therapies, the innovative mechanisms behind their drug development, and the potential of immuno-oncology to revolutionize cancer treatment. The conversation also covers the market landscape, the origin story of Bonum, and the future directions for their pipeline, emphasizing the importance of targeted therapies in improving patient outcomes.

A Plasmid-Based Cancer Therapy - Dr. Alexander Schneider

Kevin Folta — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:50:13 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with Dr. Alex Schneider, CEO and founder of CureLab, to discuss innovative approaches to cancer treatment, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by refractory cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Dr. Schneider emphasizes the evolution of cancer therapies from traditional chemotherapy to more sophisticated immunotherapies, highlighting the importance of understanding immune responses in combating cancer. He introduces Elanogen, a plasmid-based therapy designed to enhance immune presentation and combat chronic inflammation, which can hinder the effectiveness of conventional treatments like gemcitabine.

The conversation delves into the mechanisms of Elanogen, explaining how it targets the P62 protein, which is overproduced in cancer cells, making them vulnerable to immune attacks. Dr. Schneider shares insights from clinical trials, noting the promising results of combining Elanogen with standard chemotherapy, and discusses future applications of this therapy in various cancers and even non-cancerous diseases associated with chronic inflammation. The episode concludes with a call for intellectual humility in science, as both hosts reflect on the evolving nature of cancer research and the potential for new discoveries in the field.

Biotech in Beauty Products - Nicholas Brideau

Kevin Folta — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0000

This conversation explores the intersection of biotechnology and the beauty industry, highlighting how biotech is revolutionizing the production of cosmetic ingredients. The discussion covers the slow pace of innovation in beauty, the debate between natural and synthetic ingredients, and the role of AI in discovering new active compounds. The conversation also delves into specific examples like carmine production, the business model of Debut Biotech, and the regulatory challenges faced in bringing new products to market.

Molecular Biology Giants that Left Us In 2025

Colabra — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 02:43:09 +0000

2025 saw some of the giants in molecular biology leave us. Those that made seminal discoveries in DNA science to those that put it to work in describing the underpinnings of life left an indelible mark on history, and it is fitting that we commemorate their discoveries and contributions.

TB Throwback- Correcting the Veritasium Episode on Glyphosate

Colabra — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:00:00 +0000

This is a throwback to episode 484, a very important correction of their episode on glyphosate. With so much controversy around this compound it is critical to keep the information correct and consistent with a 50 year body of evidence when discussing risk and benefit. Veritassium made some mistakes, so here they are corrected so that you can participate effectively in these discussions.

TB Throwback: Gliblastoma and Cindy's Gift

Colabra — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 03:59:28 +0000

This episode originally aired on December 18, 2021. Cindy Graham was diagnosed with glioblastoma in her late 40s. She fought the disease, and ultimately donated her tissues to research to study the nature of glioblastoma and identify potential vulnerabilities that could underlie a cure. This episode first features Dr. Shiela Singh, glioblastoma expert who has performed analysis of Cindy's cells in search of a cure. The second part is an interview with her husband, Dr. Thomas Graham. He speaks of the power of her gift, Cindy's legacy, and the hope that cures may come because of her contribution. The fund supports glioblastoma research and student scholarships to enhance the best research in search of a cure.

You can support the fund at www.cindysgift.com

TB Throwback: Dr. Avindra Nath and HERV-based Diseases

Colabra — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 03:06:40 +0000

In today's throwback to 2022, Dr. Avindra Nath of the NIH reviews research efforts in proteins expressed from human endogenous retroviruses. It is a fascinating discussion of how genome relics may be contributing to insidious human disease.

482 Dr. Maxine Thompson, Episode 117, Jan 18, 2015

Colabra — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 05:28:40 +0000

This throwback episode to 2018 is an interview with plant breeding pioneer Dr. Maxine Thompson.

A Biotech Probiotic to Enhance Fiber - Dr. Zack Abbott

Colabra — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:35:45 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Zack Abbott discuss the critical role of dietary fiber in human health, the alarming statistics regarding fiber deficiency in the population, and the innovative solutions being developed by Zbiotics to address this issue. They delve into the science behind genetically engineered probiotics that can convert sugars into fiber, enhancing gut health and microbiome diversity. The conversation also touches on future possibilities for probiotic technology and its potential to solve modern health challenges.

Peer Review and Rigor in Controversial Science - Cam English, Dr. Liza Lockwood

Colabra — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:36:34 +0000

This cross-platform podcast is shared on Science Facts and Fallacies as well as Talking Biotech. Cameron English, Dr. Liza Lockwood and Dr. Kevin Folta discuss the comments made during a rant on the Science Facts and Fallacies podcast concerning the rigor of peer review and alledged lack of self policing in academic publishing. They discuss several papers in the recent public eye, with an emphasis on the process, the media response, and the nuance that is used in academic publishing, review and editorial oversight.

Everyone Else is Lying to You - Pandemic Disinformation - Dr. Jonathan Howard

Colabra — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Jonathan Howard discusses his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of disinformation, and the anti-vaccine movement. He reflects on his role as a physician at Bellevue Hospital, the impact of misinformation on public health, and the key players who have influenced the narrative surrounding vaccines and COVID-19. Dr. Howard emphasizes the need for the medical community to stand against misinformation and the importance of engaging in public discourse to restore trust in science and public health institutions.

Targeting RNA with Therapeutics - Dr. Matthew Disney

Colabra — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 03:26:32 +0000

Summary

In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Dr. Matthew Disney discusses the potential of RNA as a therapeutic target, exploring its historical context, pathogenic roles in diseases, and the challenges and innovations in drug design. The conversation delves into specific diseases like myotonic dystrophy, ALS, and various cancers, highlighting the advantages of small molecules in treatment and the future directions of RNA therapeutics.

Biotech Takes On the Screw Worm - Dr. Max Scott

Colabra — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Max Scott discusses the significant threat posed by screw worms, a parasitic insect that lays eggs in live animals, leading to severe economic and health impacts on livestock. The conversation covers the historical eradication efforts using the sterile insect technique, the current resurgence of screw worms in North America, and the innovative biotechnology approaches being explored to control their populations, including gene drive technology. The episode also addresses the public perception of genetic technologies in agriculture and the importance of continuous monitoring and advocacy for effective pest management.

Attacking Cancers through Neoantigens - Dr. Jackie Douglass

Colabra — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:38:48 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Jackie Douglas discusses the emerging field of neoantigens and their significance in cancer immunotherapy. Neoantigens, which are unique to cancer cells, offer a promising target for personalized immunotherapies. The conversation covers the formation of neoantigens, the role of HLA alleles in their presentation, recent advances in research, and various therapeutic strategies being explored. Challenges such as patient response variability and the need for affordable treatments are also highlighted, along with the potential for future developments in the field.

Drug Discovery in the Synapse - Derek Small

Colabra — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Derek Small, co-founder and CEO of Syndeoo, focusing on the increasing prevalence of neurological disorders and the challenges in developing effective therapies. They discuss the importance of synaptic function in mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, the innovative Boost platform for drug development, and the potential of event-driven pharmacology. The conversation highlights the hope for new treatments in the pipeline for conditions like depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Correcting the Veratasium Glyphosate - Monsanto Episode

Colabra — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:48:52 +0000

Listener Request! The YouTube channel Veritasium has been recognized by scientists and the public as a great source for scientific information. So what happened in the recent episode? The episode originally entitled "Exposing the Monsanto Conspiracy" attempts to link the historic horrors of Agent Orange and contaminated herbicides with current claims against the herbicide glyphosate. To build the story this science channel relies on horrible sources and poor scholarship to build the illogical conclusion that because a company had a bad past, and anti-biotech activists and money-hungry lawyers build a narrative, then the herbicide must cause cancer. This, despite the overwhelming consensus from independent research and regulatory bodies that says there is no evidence of carcinogenicity at dietary or occupational exposure levels. This episode is designed to help the scientific listener understand the actual evidence and how even traditionally good communications efforts can become vehicles for anti-scientific campaigns.

Unintended Effects of HPV and Shingles Vaccines - Dr. Kevin Folta

Colabra — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:40:20 +0000

Anti-vaccination activists, including the US Health and Human Services Secretary, decry the risk of vaccination. In two recently developed vaccines the emerging story is that there is risk in not being vaccinated. Analysis of large data sets shows that over the last 20 years, those vaccinated with the HPV vaccine have a lower incidence of cervical, penile and anal cancers, as they should. But they also show lower incidence of other cancers as well, such as lung, blood and nervous system cancers. The shingles vaccines seem to have protective effects against dementia, heart disease and stroke. All of thse findings suggest that broader vaccination may have public health benefit. More importantly, these may be strategies against vaccine hesitancy, as families don't remember the sourge of polio and measles, but they likely know someone with cancer or dementia. These findings could be a way to nucleate a shift in vaccine perception among evidence deniers.

HPV and Other Cancers: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661825002762
Shingles vaccine and dementia: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08800-x
Shingles vaccine and cardiovascular disease: https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf440/8229580
Singles vaccine and cardiovascular disease: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/46/30/2991/8124786

Revolutionizing Agriculture with RNA Technology - Dr. Andrey Zarur

Colabra — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Andrey Zarur, CEO of Greenlight Biosciences, discusses the innovative applications of RNA technology in agriculture. The conversation covers the challenges of food security, the role of RNA in pest control, and the regulatory advantages of RNA-based products. Dr. Zarur highlights the efficacy and safety of RNA insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, as well as the company's efforts to address bee health. The discussion also touches on public perception and the importance of transparent communication in biotechnology.

00:00
Introduction to RNA and Its Role in Agriculture

02:02
Challenges in Global Food Production

05:07
The Promise of RNA Technology

10:05
Regulatory Landscape for RNA-Based Solutions

13:52
Stability and Application of RNA Products

18:00
Product Development and Efficacy of RNA Pesticides

19:48
Targeting Specific Pests with RNA Technology

26:51
AI in RNA Design and Future Prospects

30:01
Innovative Approaches to Pest Control

32:41
Targeting Specific Pests with RNA Technology

35:22
Challenges in Regulatory Approval and Public Perception

38:02
Engaging with the Public and NGOs

42:46
Addressing the Varroa Mite Crisis in Beekeeping

49:18
Developing RNA Solutions for Weed Management

Glyphosate 10 Years After IARC - Dr. Robert Tarone

Colabra — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 06:23:34 +0000

Summary

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Robert Tarone, a retired scientist with extensive experience in cancer statistics and experimental design. They discuss the controversial IARC monograph that classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, the flaws in the evaluation process, and the implications of this classification on legal actions against glyphosate manufacturers. Dr. Tarone critiques the evidence used by IARC, emphasizing the lack of credible data linking glyphosate to cancer, and highlights the importance of rigorous scientific methodology in evaluating such claims.

Glyphosate: 10 Lessons from 10 Years After IARC - Dr. David Zaruk

Colabra — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta and Dr. David Zaruk discuss the complexities surrounding glyphosate, particularly in light of the IARC Monograph 112 published a decade ago. They explore the implications of the reclassification of glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, the ensuing litigation, influence and corruption, and the ethical concerns regarding scientific integrity. The conversation delves into the role of the media, the influence of litigation finance, and the future of glyphosate in agriculture, emphasizing the need for transparency and evidence-based discussions over jury decisions.

Evidence of Pig Domestication - Dr. Jiajing Wang

Colabra — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This conversation explores the domestication of pigs, highlighting their importance in human society, the historical evidence of their domestication, and innovative research methods used to study their relationship with humans. Dr. Jiajing Wang from Dartmouth College discusses the significance of dental calculus in elucidaing pig diets and behaviors, as well as the complex interactions between humans and pigs throughout history.

The Shingles Vaccines and Dementia - Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer

Colabra — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer about the relationship between the shingles vaccine and dementia. They discuss the prevalence of shingles, the current vaccination rates, and the potential implications of shingles vaccination on cognitive decline. The data come from a clever analysis of public health data that revealed this surprising result. Dr. Geldsetzer shares insights from his research, which suggests that the shingles vaccine may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The conversation also covers the methodology behind the research, findings from various populations, and future directions for further studies in this area.

Old Tricks, New Wheat for Celiacs - Maria Rottersman

Colabra — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Summary

In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Kevin Folta speaks with Maria Rodtersman, a Ph.D. candidate at UC Davis, about her research on developing wheat to reduce gluten content, specifically targeting immunogenic proteins that trigger celiac disease. They discuss the significance of wheat as a staple crop, the differences between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, and the use of radiation-induced mutations, the old-school brute force genetic methods used to create wheat lines with lower immunogenicity. The conversation also covers the challenges of wheat's hexaploid nature, the testing of modified wheat for bread quality and immunogenicity, and the future directions of this research.

Bluesky @dubcovskylab.bsky.social‬

A Tribute to Dr. Franklin Stahl and His Elegant Experiment

Colabra — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:06:22 +0000

The elucidation of DNA's structure led to questions about how it was replicated. Today's Talking Biotech Podcast commemorates the landmark experiments by Dr. Franklin Stahl, who died recently at the age of 95. The experiments have beed described as amont the most elegant in the history of biology, and used a simple test to determine the physical nature of DNA replication. This is a must-know story for the molecular biologist, and a spectacular example of a clever and definitive experiment for anyone that appreciates science.

Social Media, Traditional Media, Ag Misinformation - Connie Diekman and Dr. Cami Ryan

Kevin Folta — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the challenges of misinformation in food science with Dr. Cami Ryan and registered dietitian Connie Diekman. They explore the role of social media and traditional media in spreading misinformation, the difficulties scientists face in communicating effectively, and the importance of peer review and other information-honing strategies to reinforce legitimate claims and de-fuse false information. The conversation emphasizes the need for better communication strategies, building trust with the public, and the necessity of teaching critical thinking and media literacy to consumers.

We Are Eating the Earth - Michael Grunwald

Colabra — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast (464) host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with journalist and author Michael Grunwald about his book 'We Are Eating the Earth.' They discuss the complex relationship between food production, climate change, and biotechnology, emphasizing the need for multifaceted solutions rather than single silver bullet approaches. Grunwald shares insights from his journey into understanding food production's impact on the environment, agroecology and regenerative farming, the challenges of public perception regarding biotechnology, and the importance of innovative practices in agriculture. The conversation also touches on the issues of food waste, biofuels, and the necessity for government investment in agricultural research and technology.

You can buy Mike's book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Are-Eating-the-Earth/Michael-Grunwald/

New Solutions for Anorexia Nervosa and Obesity - Dr. Roger Cone

Colabra — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:18:39 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Roger Cone discusses the complexities of obesity and eating disorders, emphasizing the role of brain circuits in regulating feeding behaviors. He explains the significance of GLP-1 agonists and melanocortin receptors in developing therapeutic approaches for conditions like obesity, anorexia, and cachexia. The conversation highlights the potential of combining these therapies to enhance treatment efficacy and the implications for public health. But most importantly, the approaches offer potential new therapies to address anorexia and cachexia that may prove to be as effective as GLP1 agonists have been for addressing obesity.

Brainstorming to Defeat Antimicrobial Resistance - Dr. Anita Shukla

Colabra — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:02:42 +0000

This episode of the Talking Biotech podcast features Dr. Anita Shukla discussing the critical issue of antibiotic resistance and the innovative engineering solutions being explored to combat it. The conversation covers the evolutionary nature of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the importance of antibiotics in healthcare, and the collaborative efforts of the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) to identify research priorities and strategies. Dr. Shukla emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic approaches, improved drug delivery systems, and the integration of advanced detection methods to address the growing challenge of AMR.

A Grassroots Run for Ag Commissioner - Dr. Sarah Taber

Colabra — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Sarah Taber, who shares her journey from agricultural consulting to running for Ag Secretary in North Carolina. It is mostly a story of dedication to changing the norms and changing the rules to benefit more farmers, trying to break deeply entrenched interests to create real change. The conversation explores the challenges facing North Carolina agriculture, the need for innovative ideas to shift from traditional crops to more profitable produce, and the political landscape that influences agricultural policies. Sarah discusses her motivations for running, the strategies she employed during her campaign, and the lessons learned from the experience. The episode concludes with insights on the future of agriculture in North Carolina and advice for aspiring politicians.

Where Did The Bird Flu Go? - Dr. Kevin Folta

Colabra — Sat, 31 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the current state of avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, its history, zoonotic potential, and the implications for both poultry and human health. Into 2025 it was being detected in wild birds,domestic flocks, cattle and humans. Where did it go? He highlights the importance of surveillance, the impact of the virus on domestic poultry production, and the ethical concerns surrounding euthanization methods. Folta also explores potential solutions, including vaccination and transgenic strategies that go unused although they are known to be effective. Finally, what is the status of emergency response? The strategic stockpiles are gone, new mRNA strategies have been defunded. With no desire to protect animals and government policy failing to take precautions to protect humans, an avian influenza pandemic may be devastating. The current situation is discussed.

The Origin of Critical Maize Traits - Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra

Colabra — Sat, 17 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

This episode of the Talking Biotech podcast delves into the evolutionary significance and domestication history of corn (maize). Dr. Kevin Folta hosts a discussion with Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra from UC Davis, exploring the traits that enabled maize's domestication, the role of the TGA gene, and the implications for modern breeding. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding maize's genetic diversity and how modern tools may be used to unravel long standing questions about maize domestication.

The GE Corn Ban in Mexico - Luis Ventura

Colabra — Sat, 10 May 2025 03:50:09 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta and Luis Ventura discuss the recent constitutional ban on genetically engineered corn in Mexico. They explore the implications of this regulation, the disinformation surrounding it, and the challenges faced by Mexican farmers. The conversation also touches on the broader impact of this ban on biotechnology in Latin America and the potential economic consequences for trade between Mexico and the United States.

The Mexico GMO Corn Controversy - Luis Ventura

Colabra — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:51:07 +0000

This conversation explores the complex relationship between corn and Mexico, focusing on its cultural, economic, and agricultural significance. The discussion highlights the moratorium on genetically engineered (GM; GMO) corn, the public perception of biotechnology, and the impact of environmental NGOs on policy decisions. The conversation also delves into the perspectives of farmers regarding the need for access to biotechnology and the implications of recent presidential decrees on corn production in Mexico.

Synthetic Biology and Natural Products - Dr. Philipp Zerbe

Colabra — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:16:51 +0000

This conversation explores the intersection of natural products and synthetic biology, emphasizing the importance of science communication and outreach. Julia Ball shares her passion for connecting the public with plant science, while Dr. Philip Zerbe discusses the potential of synthetic biology in producing valuable natural products, particularly terpenoids. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating the public about biotechnology and the role of synthetic biology in sustainable drug production. In this conversation, Dr. Philipp Zerbe discusses the intersection of synthetic biology and natural products, focusing on the advancements in omics technologies and their role in bioactivity screening and pathway engineering. He highlights the recent breakthroughs in Taxol production, the complexities of intellectual property in synthetic biology, and the varying consumer perceptions of bioengineered products. Additionally, he provides insights into career guidance for students interested in these fields, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience and networking.

Designing New Proteins with A.I. - Stefan Van Grieken

Colabra — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Steph van Grieken, CEO of Cradle, about the revolutionary intersection of AI and protein engineering. They discuss the central role of proteins in biological systems, the innovative software Cradle is developing to enhance protein design, and the implications of these advancements for therapeutics and industrial applications. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations and potential misuse of this technology, as well as the future of AI in biology and its impact on environmental sustainability.

Garden Biotech- The Purple Tomato, Dr. Nathan Pumplin

Colabra — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:38:12 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the introduction of the Purple Tomato by Norfolk Healthy Produce. Dr. Nathan Pumplin, CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce, shares insights on the development, consumer reception, and regulatory landscape surrounding this innovative product. The conversation highlights the importance of consumer education and the potential for biotechnology to address health and nutritional needs. Dr. Pumplin discusses the technology and genetic engineering involved, the importance of plant breeding, and the health benefits associated with anthocyanins. He emphasizes the company's commitment to creating high-quality products while addressing public perceptions of GMOs and the future of biotechnology in agriculture.

Disinformation Warfare Against Food, Farming and Medicine - Dr. Kevin Folta

Colabra — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:14:57 +0000

Social media teems with false information about food and farming. Influencers cover Instagram and Facebook with claims that food is poison and farmers are "dousing" crops in dangerous chemicals. It is a disinformation campaign that is founded on the fact that Americans make poor food and lifestyle choices, but instead of blaming our behaviors, they blame food and medicine, pushing bogus high-profit alternatives. But is there something nefarious here? Has this online suspicion of our medical and food systems seeded by interests wishing to turn citizens against farmers and regulators, opting instead for fake alternatives and bogus nostrums? It is a viable hypothesis. The war on seed oils, glyphosate and genetically engineered crops has re-ignited, despite minimal, if any, risk. Senate testimony by podcaster and "integrative nutritionist" Courtney Swan is dissected to demonstrate how wildly incorrect these folks are-- when speaking before a US Senate commitee! This is how disinformation spread and now is being used to influence the highest eschelons of federal government. This all appears to be science and reason losing a damaging disinformation campaign using the internet and its complicit influencers to harm food and national security.

Mpox- The Virus, Transmission and Treatment - John Rizk

Colabra — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta interviews John Rizk, a pharmacist and epidemiologist, about M-Pox (formerly known as monkeypox). They discuss the emergence of M-Pox, its characteristics, transmission, symptoms, and recovery. The conversation also covers risk factors, diagnosis, vaccination strategies, treatment options, and the importance of health equity in access to vaccines. John emphasizes the need for more research and randomized control trials to better understand and manage M-Pox.

Anticipating Future Limiters of Biotech Applications - Joe Damond

Colabra — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 02:13:13 +0000

n this episode, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Joe Damond about the rapidly evolving landscape of life sciences, particularly focusing on gene and cell therapies. They discuss the exciting advancements in medical technology, the economic challenges associated with developing new therapies, and the implications for healthcare systems and patient access. The conversation also touches on the role of providers in administering these advanced treatments, the global disparities in access to innovative therapies, and the regulatory challenges that need to be addressed. Finally, they explore the potential of AI in transforming healthcare and the importance of ensuring equitable access to new medical technologies.

Apeel: A Solution to Food Waste - Jenny Du

Colabra — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta interviews Jenny Du, co-founder and senior vice president of operations at Apeel, a company focused on reducing food waste through innovative post-harvest technology. They discuss the significant issue of food waste, particularly in fresh produce, and how Apeel's products work to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by addressing moisture loss and oxidation. The conversation delves into the science behind Appeal's technology, the sustainability of its ingredients, and the broader implications of food waste on food security and greenhouse gas emissions. In this conversation, Jenny Du discusses the challenges of extending the shelf life of produce, particularly avocados, and the role of technology in improving food supply chains. She addresses misconceptions about her company and emphasizes consumer awareness regarding food technologies. The discussion also touches on the potential for increasing produce diversity and the impact of post-harvest technologies on food security.

Trees that Survive Citrus Greening - Gary England

Colabra — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Citrus greening disease or HLB has severely impacted Florida citrus production. And while many solutions have been proposed, there is interest in a number of trees that have shown to not show symptoms of the disease. This week's episode discusses the disease with retired extension specialist Gary England as he evaluates "survivor" trees. These trees continue to produce even when infected, and may provide insights into resistance to the disease, as well as provide genetics to maintain the Florida orange juice industry until other options are available.

The New Face of Anti-Ag Pseudoscience - Vance Crowe

Colabra — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Dr. Kevin Folta and Vance Crowe discuss the evolving landscape of agriculture communication, the rise of pseudoscience, and the cultural shifts affecting public trust in science. Vance shares his journey from working at Monsanto to founding Legacy Interviews, emphasizing the importance of capturing personal stories. They explore the challenges posed by influencers spreading misinformation about food safety and the implications of legal battles surrounding glyphosate. The discussion highlights the need for effective communication strategies in the face of growing skepticism towards scientific consensus. In this conversation, Vance Crowe and Kevin Folta discuss the evolving narrative surrounding glyphosate and its implications for agriculture. They explore the shift in public perception from anti-GMO sentiments to a focus on glyphosate litigation, the complexities of scientific communication, and the erosion of trust in institutions. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in light of potential chemical bans and the importance of rebuilding faith in science and its communicators.

Biotech Enhancement of Protein in World Staple Crops - Dr. Ling Li

Colabra — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 10:32:45 +0000

Protein is essential for normal human development and physiology, yet is a significant global deficiency. World food staple crops like rice, wheat, cassava, and potato have relatively protein levels, yet constitute a significant portion of calories consumed. Dr. Ling Li of Mississippi State University has identified that overexpression of a gene called NF-YC4 can lead to higher protein accumulation. Her team used gene editing to remove promoter elements that suppress expression of this factor in soybeans and rice. The resulting plants accumulate more protein, and are curently being used in generating seed that may play an important role in global nutrition.

Follow Dr. Ling Li at @Ling89093335

The GMO Tree You Never Heard About - Dr. Chris Dardick, USDA/ARS

Colabra — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 03:38:05 +0000

We regularly discuss a small suite of commercial crops that have been genetically enhanced with transgenes. However, one additional genotype was transformed long ago, and approved for use in the USA, Canada and EU-- but nobody talks about it much. It is the plum resistant to plum pox virus (PPV), a devastating virus of stonefruits. While rare in the USA, it is endemic throughout the rest of the northern hempisphere, and certainly could become a problem. Dr. Chris Dardick of the USDA-ARS in Kearneysville, WV talks about the plum, its history and current application. The resistant plum was developed by the USDA-ARS in the 1990s, using a similar approach to the successful papaya ringspot virus resistant papaya. The work is a foundational success of biotechnolgy, and an available strategy in the event the virus ever emerges. .

Anti-GMO Hawaii Memories; A Career in Ag Science - Dr. Steve Savage

Colabra — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 04:57:00 +0000

In 2013 a number of county ordinances sought to end the use of biotech crops on various Hawaiian islands. Hawaii's warm year-'round climate permits several corn seasons a year, so seed corn for the mainland is produced in these locations. However, these technologies are not appreciated by a subset of the population, who see these companies as poisoning paradise. Drs. Steve Savage and Kevin Folta were brought to Kauai by the Hawaiian Crop Improvement Association to speak to business leaders and public audiences. They were met with protests and disdain, and this episode reflects on some of the experiences in public advocacy for sciecne. Dr. Savage also recounts his career in science and growing along with biotech breakthroughs.

Enabling Local Production of Protein Therapeutics - Dr. Kerry Love, Sunflower Therapeutics

Colabra — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:50:25 +0000

Great products and ideas are everywhere, yet limited by the ability to actually produce them in needed quantitites. The technologies from Sunflower Therapeutics enable bioprocess applications throughout the globe in a deployable unit with a small footprint. Dr. Kerry Love describes the technology and it's applications, along with the philosophy of a public benefit corporation that seeks to meet the needs from small startups to remote ressearchers.

Measuring the Health of T-Cells - Dr. Nigel McCracken, Virax Biolabs

Colabra — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

T-cells are a critical part of the adaptive immune system, actively targeting problematic invaders. From pathogens to cancers, T-cells seek and destroy potentially dangerous cells, and maintain a memory of their presence. In today's episode Dr. Nigel McCracken describes this part of the adaptive immune system and how Virax Biolabs is using specialized tests to ascertain the presence and activity of T-cells activated by specific pathogens, such as Epstein-Barr Virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and SARS-CoV2. We discuss the many applications of the technology and how the product pipeline may be employed in disease detection, to assess inflammatory response, and to gauge potential immunity to known pathogens.

Resistance to Correction, Breaking Trust in Science - Drs. Andrea Love and Nicole Keller

Colabra — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 17:28:59 +0000

Disinformation clouds the public understanding of science, especially technology in agriculture and medicine. So when a leading journal publishes false information, academic experts have an obligation to help correct the process. This may be done via a variety of methods, but cordial and collegial discussion is the first step. When that fails, notes to editors and authors are in order. When that fails, written point-by-point rebuttals are required. But what happens when that fails? An article in Pediatrics suggests that children are at special risk when consuming ingredients from gentically engineered (familiarly "GMO") crops. The article is rife with error and inuendo, and presents an opinion that lies diametric to the scientific consensus. Our efforts to correct the information have been met with 100% resistance, as editors, authors and reviwers have entrenched positions that are recalcitrant to revision, or even discussion. It destroys trust in food, technology, experts and a reputable journal. What should we do next? I discuss the situation with immunologist/microbiolgist Dr. Andrea Love and pediatrician Dr. Nicole Keller.

Your Role in Editing Wikipedia - Susan Gerbic

Colabra — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Wikipedia is the go-to source for many people when starting to research a subject. But is the information correct, or does the information even exist in Wikipedia at all? Susan Gerbic has been training people to edit Wikipedia pages through the Gorilla Skeptics of Wikipedia project. They have edited tens of thousands of pages with over 16 million views. Susan describes the process as well as how you can be involved in correcting online false information.

Gene Editing in Specialty Crops - Dr. Tom Adams, CEO Pairwise

Colabra — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Crop genetic engineering has focused primarily on large-acreage crops like corn. But what about the universe of specialty crops that tantalize consumers, things like blackberries or salad greens? Pairwise has used precision twists on gene editing to change specific traits in fruit and vegetable crops. Pairwise founder and CEO, Dr. Tom Adams, discusses the current progress, general philosophy, and moonshot plans for bringing exciting new specialty crops to market.

Special Panel - From Pre-Clinical to Clinical Trials

Colabra — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 10:19:00 +0000

Advancement of a new drug from pre-clinical trials to clinical trials is a pivotal time in validation of its therapeutic effects and safety. A panel of experts discusses the process.

Talking Biotech Begins Year 10! with Dr. Liza Dunn

Colabra — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 04:18:37 +0000

Today's episode marks the beginning of the 10th year of the Talking Biotech Podcast. To celebrate, Drs. Liza Dunn and Kevin Folta discuss the last decade of biotech breakthroughs and communications efforts, the fight against technology and the amazing progress in gene editing and human genetic therapies. Plus, what you can do to help the effort going forward.

Targeting Chronic Inflammation Via the Inflamasome - Dr. David Bearss

Colabra — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 03:27:33 +0000

Chronic inflammation goes hand-in-hand with many diseases, complicating symptoms and affecting routes of treatment. What is the molecular basis of inflammation, and can it be targeted by new drugs? Scientists have studied the molecular basis of the inflammatory response and have identified specific proteins that complex to initiate the response. New drugs are showing promise in breaking the inflammatory cascade. Studies of genealogical records revealed additional targets that modify known genetic pathways that contribute to Alzheimer's, cancers and cardiovascular disease. Dr. David Bearss from Halia Therapeutics explains the roles of inflammation and the mechanisms behind several drug candidates that are targeting chronic inflammation.

Development of Biotech Partnerships

Colabra — Sat, 25 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Strategic partnerships are becoming more important in development and deployment of biotechnology solutions. Today's panel discusses the way partnerships are formed, some of the important considerations with IP and licensing, and how relationships are managed.

Journal Club - Were "High Levels" of Glyphosate Found in Sperm? - Dr. Andrea Love

Colabra — Wed, 22 May 2024 10:31:53 +0000

The news reports say that scientists have found "high levels" of herbicide in human sperm, and suggest it is a cause of infertility. But what do the data really say? Dr. Andrea Love and I discuss the paper. A report by Vasseur et al., in the June 2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety entitled Glyphosate presence in human sperm: First report and positive correlation with oxidative stress in an infertile French population strongly implies a tight connection between the herbicide glyphosate and world population decline. However, it is a classical case of overstepping the data. This group studied 128 men in a French infertility clinic and quantified glyphosate in in their blood and seminal fluids. Amazingly, they found parts per trillion, very low levels. They also never measured levels in sperm. They did measure sperm quantity and quality and they are just fine in individuals with glyphosate levels and those below detection. So there is no effect on sperm, consistent with previous studies. They do identify a correlation between glyphosate presence and two oxidative stress markers, but it is unclear what the "normal" range is, and it is very difficult to connect parts per trillion of a benign herbicide and meaningful physiological response. However, this was enough to ignite the media into connecting this trace of herbicide to crashing world populations, when people are most likely simply having smaller families.

Dr. Andrea Love @Dr_AndreaLove and immunologic.org

Standardizing Therapeutic Protein Production in Plants - Jim Wilson

Colabra — Sat, 18 May 2024 10:39:29 +0000

Where many therapeutic compounds are raised in bacteria or fungi, plants sometimes offer many advantages as bioreactors. Capital and production costs are lower, and products may be edible instead of injectable. The problem tends to be standardization, and conditions that ensure that the desired proteins are produced This episode features Jim Wilson from Zea Biologics, where cleanrooms, precise regulation of all aspects of the plant growth environment, and massive data collection, allow for the production of biological compounds to treat everything from hemophilia to influenza. The compounds are bio-encapsulated, a patented process that allows oral delivery instead of injection. Using precision "pharming" drugs and be produced at a lower cost in less time, and the products are temperature stable, allowing wider distribution at lower cost, with a lower carbon footprint.

www.zeabio.com

Canadian Rules for Gene Editing - Jennifer Hubert

Colabra — Sat, 11 May 2024 10:42:01 +0000

Canada has a unique approach to plant genetic improvement that follows the product, not the process. In other words, if there is potential risk from any genetic manipulation technique, from polyploidization to transgenic to gene edits, Canadian regulators assess the relative risk in the final product. But what does the regulatory climate look like going forward as gene editing becomes more routine? Today's podcast is a conversation with Jennifer Hubert, Executive Director of Biotechnology at Crop Life Canada.

Overcoming CAR-T Cell Bottlenecks - Dr. Andy Scharenberg

Colabra — Sat, 04 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Immunotherapy is weaponizing the body's immune system against cancer or other disease. One of the most promising approaches is CAR-T cell therapy, yet as this technology has been implemented, it's limitations have been identified. Dr. Andy Scharenberg described the current drawbacks of CAR-T cells and how his company, Umoja, is re-engineering CAR-T cells in vivo to create more effective therapies, including approaches that can address solid tumors. Co-hosted by Donald Coon.

www.umoja-biopharma.com

The FDA Regulatory Ecosystem- Expert Panel Discusses the Process

Colabra — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

How do new drug applications move forward to approval? Four experts discuss the partnership between the FDA, the drug developer, and the data needed to move a product forward. It is a surprising discussion that reveals the depth of the FDA process. Joined by Dr. Debra Webster, Dr. Julia Marre, Dr. Michael Matthews and Dr. Jonathan Helfgott.

The Psychology of Risk - Dr. Felicia Wu

Colabra — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000

We live in amazing times of technological advance, but how are the real benefits of new tech lost to an inflated sense of risk? Dr. Felicia Wu from Michigan State University shares her expertise in describing the psychological basis of risk and applying it to questions like glyphosate and aspartame.

Restoring the Forest with GE American Chestnut - Dr. Andy Newhouse and Erik Carlson

Colabra — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 10:28:28 +0000

This is an update on the American Chestnut Restoration Project, as discussed previously on the podcast. The American Chestnut dominated the forests of Appalachia until an imported fungus destroyed the entire range. Efforts to restore the chestnut and its ecology have employed a biotechnology approach, integrating a gene from wheat that limits the mechanism the fungus uses to attack the tree. Dr. Andy Newhouse and Erik Carlson join the podcast to discuss progress in the project.

Addressing Disparities in Women's Healthcare - Sabrina Johnson, CEO Daré Bioscience

Colabra — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 09:58:04 +0000

Despite being over half of the population women's health care lags behind other areas of drug development. The problem is caused by many facets, but is augmented by the fact that many of the conditions are not life threatening or are functions of aging. Sabrina Johnson, CEO of Daré Bioscience, discusses how the disparity exists, the pipeline of drugs that seek to mitigate female-specific conditions, and how smaller, leaner businesses can have significant impacts in this space.

Return of Talking Biotech; Stories in the News

Colabra — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 04:54:10 +0000

After a three month hiatus the Talking Biotech Podcast is back. Today's episode is a visit with Colarbra CEO Aoi Senju about his view for the podcast, followed by synopsis of three major news stories that broke since the last Talking Biotech Podcast. The new format includes a video component, and I'll be speaking with panels and also discussing recent news stories. It is an exciting opportunity to capture a new audience, expand listenership, and provide new levels of programming to the popular format. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy the new episodes. Kevin

Temporary Hiatus, Changes Coming!

Colabra — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 02:23:42 +0000

After 8.5 years of weekly podcasts I'm going to take a 5 week break and plan new episodes for 2024. I'm going through a medical glitch that has me unable to do my normal work. On top of this we're going to switch to an audio plus video format to find a wider audience. So check back in 2024 for the next episode. Have a great rest of 2023, thank you for listening, and looking forward to better times.

A Novel RNAi Approach to Crop Protection - Todd Hauser

Colabra — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Even under the best conditions, crops need our assistance to survive the numerous threats that limit production. Classically, synthetic and natural compounds have been used to control insects, fungi and weeds, sometimes with negative collateral effects or fostering resistance of genetically tolerant genotypes. Todd Hauser from Trillium Ag describes his company's novel RNAi approach. RNAi can be used to target specific insect species, and his company's design and particle-based technology appears to offer safety, effectiveness, and specificity. We discuss the use of RNAi and how it may be a key point of crop protection strategies, along with its inherent challenges.

Drugs from the Rainforest - Lisa Conte

Colabra — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 11:44:52 +0000

There is tremendous variation in the plant kingdom, as plants have adapted to many ecological niches with discrete challenges. Part of adaptation is production of novel secondary metabolites, compounds not required for central metabolism that serve a role in the plant, such as defense or attraction of pollinators. The rainforest is replete with unusual plants and their resident metabolites. Indigenous peoples have identified therapeutic qualities of specific plants. How can this knowledge be transferred to aid those suffering beyond the rainforest? Lisa Conte is the CEO, President and Founder of Jaguar Health, a subsidiary of Napo Pharmaceuticals. We discuss process of working with indigenous peoples to learn from their findings, then test and validate them in ways to identify novel mechanisms of action for use in modern medicine.

Proposed Gene Editing Changes in the EU -Dr. Emma Kovak

Colabra — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Gene editing is a powerful and specific technique that allows customized changes to DNA. Because there are no additional sequences transferred, and alternations match what could happen naturally over time, the technology is considered less invasive and less prone to regulatory oversight. That's true in the USA, Canada, China and other nations. However, the European Court of Justice determined that these techniques should be regulated in a manner identical to transgenics, where the EU has not approved such innovations in over two decades. EU scientists see how the EU is falling behind and after long may never catch up. The rejection of technology leads to a tremendous economic loss. Dr. Emma Kovak of the Breakthrough Institute discusses the current regulations, the proposed changes, and the dynamics of opposition to a good technology that could have profoundly positive impacts for people and the planet.

"On Disinformation" Critical Conversations in the Post-Truth Era- Dr. Lee McIntyre

Colabra — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Information has been weaponized, and the ability to create false information to achieve an ideological goal has never been more easy. Political polarization, science denial, and a shining, effective conduit of dissemination (the internet) allows anyone with an agenda to recruit the like minded, and produce compelling media to reinforce bankrupt ideas. Where did information warfare originate, what are its effects, and how do we fix it? This week's podcast discusses the book, On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy with author Dr. Lee McIntyre. The book presents a chilling description of who creates disinformation, how subscribes to it, and its long term effect on free society. Fortunately, solutions are proposed that can help curb the penetration of disinformation, particularly as it becomes more effective through artificial intelligence.

Therapeutics Controlling Protein Turnover - Dr. Juliet Williams

Colabra — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

While DNA captures most of the fanfare, proteins are the catalytic and structural superstars of the cell. However, they can also become problematic. Cells have intricate mechanisms to remove damaged or mis-expressed proteins that could be deleterious to cellular function. This process is mediated by a process called ubiquitination, mediated by a special class of proteins called E3 ligases. Ubiquitin is the tag that's added that signals that a protein should be moved to the biochemical garbage can. Dr. Juliet WIlliams of Kymera describes how their company has used modeling and A.I. to design molecular linkers that connect a protein that needs to be degraded with the machinery to tag it for destruction. The goal of this line of therapeutics is to target a suite of proteins that need to be degraded for normal health and development. Their pipeline contains multiple clinical and pre-clinical trials, and the approach is an exciting complement to other drug discovery methods.

Biohacking, DIY Biotech- Opportunities and Ethics with David Ishee

Colabra — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Recombinant DNA technologies once confined to the laboratory are now available to just about anyone. Is this a good thing or an extreme risk? David Ishee is self-described biohacker, dog breeder and mad scientist, and merges these passions in cutting edge DIY projects and educational tools. We discuss the opportunities and risks in DIY molecular biology, biohacking and democratization of modern genetic plant, animal and microbial genetic tools.

Rapid Detection of Dangerous Pathogens - Dr. Brad Perkins

Colabra — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We're surrounded by microbes, many that are the basis of disease. Others have evolved resistance to our best antibiotics. Others may be weaponized for bioterrorism. Because microbial threats can evolve rapidly and grow quickly, early detection of a microbial threat is essential. Dr. Brad Perkins of Karius describes the threats of microbes, his company's novel approach to fast and easy test that can detect evidence of thousands of putative pathogens in a small blood sample, essentially overnight. We discuss the technology and its applications. The technology stands to be an important tool to ensure a lower-risk pathogen environment in medical facilities, as well as detect putative pathogens before they become major problems for a patient or broader population.

The Pawpaw: History and Genetic Improvement - Adam D'Angelo

Colabra — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest native North American fruit, and grows wild throughout most temperate forests of the eastern United States and Canada, from southern Ontario to the Florida border. Several breeding efforts have sought to improve this tree crop, seeking mostly to improve fruit quality, especially post-harvest. The fruits feature a tropical flavor, a flesh that has been described as everything from marshmallow to banana, in a custard-like texture. Despite its flavorful appeal, few have experienced this fruit, mainly because of its perishable nature, and the fact that wildlife appreciate the fruit before humans ever get to it. However, a new initiative called Project Pawpaw seeks to improve the species for fruit production. Director Adam D'Angelo speaks about fundraising efforts to grow breeding populations, and utilize modern approaches to hasten development of improved pawpaws.

Project Pawpaw website
Follow on Instagram

In The News: Citrus Greening Disease Update; Dangerous Seed Oils? Cameron English

Colabra — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 10:50:18 +0000

In today's episode I cover two topics with Cameron English, science journalist and podcast host. We discuss the current status of citrus greening disease in the USA, a disease that has ravaged the Florida juice industry. We also discuss the copious disinformation around seed oils, which many internet sources claim to be dangerous.

Dogmatism Meets Unpopular Evidence: the Case of Second-Hand Smoke - Dr. Geoffrey Kabat

Colabra — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 12:42:59 +0000

The connection between tobacco smoke, cancer and heart disease has been well established since the 1800's, with irrefutable medical evidence presented since the 1950s. There is no question that smoking has significant public health impacts. The effects of second hand smoke were examined in various studies and also claimed negative effects. But these reports has some significant limitations, and larger studies later showed no significant risk. One of the authors, cancer epidemiologist Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, recounts the publication, the fallout, the lack of defense from the scientific community, and later independent reports that would reinforce their findings of no association with lung cancer and heart disease. While predating social media, the findings that did not fit a public health narrative where harshly criticized, using arguments that failed to address the evidence. This example is a precursor to understanding the modern-day discussions about issues like vaccination, COVID19, glyphosate, and other topics where the evidence is strong, but public opinion often fails to accept it.

Dr. Kabat's accompanying article on Quillette.

A Non-Profit Biotech Model; Therapies for Rare Diseases - Dr. Ashley Winslow

Colabra — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

This episode has two parts. The first part discusses how Odylia Therapeutics is addressing rare disease, using a novel non-profit model. The second half address two rare genetic eye diseases and the approaches being designed to address them. Dr. Ashley Winslow, CEO/CSO of Odylia, describes how a non-profit is well suited to address these rare diseases, using strategies that leverage capacities in rare disease patient communities coupled to their expertise in drug discovery.

Understanding Your Genetics with 23andMe - Dr. Joyce Tung

Colabra — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The more information you know about your genetics the better, right? This is the idea behind companies like 23andMe, which offer platforms to understand your potential genetic predisposition toward a specific disease. The concept thrives on massive collection of public genetic data, coupled to extensive questionnaires that en masse, generate statistical associations between different genetic variants and various disorders, diseases, behaviors or drug sensitivities. These powerful tools are shaping our understanding of genes and genetic variants that contribute to our physiology, metabolism and psychology, and even aiding in drug discovery. Dr. Joyce Tung, Vice President of Research at 23andMe describes the technology, the evolution of the business, racial disparities, and what the future looks like for public genetic services.

Biotechnology in the Crime Lab - Brian Hoey

Colabra — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

DNA has been an invaluable tool to make certain matches between a suspect and a crime. Since its early use in the 1980s, we have seen an explosion in DNA sequence availability, allowing forensic scientists to identify hypervariable regions of the genome that can assist in confirming a person's identity. However, there are many ethical issues surrounding its implementation, such as use of public and private databases (like 23 and Me) to identify a suspect. The discussion covers a breadth of forensic applications with Brian Hoey, Director of the Missouri State Police Crime Lab.

The Shill Accusation and How to Respond - Dr. Chris MacDonald

Colabra — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

If you've ever publicly communicated enthusiasm for a new product or technology, you inevitably have been accused to being a shill for the company that produced it. It is a normal part of human psychology to assume there is an undisclosed motivation for someone's excitement, and it is based on legitimate concerns about how conflicts of interest can shape one's perceptions of associated science. We discuss the topic with Dr. Chris MacDonald from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Sustainable Chemistry through Synthetic Biology - Dr. Chance Elliott, Amyris

Colabra — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 16:31:41 +0000

Many consumer products contain chemistries that originate from an unsustainable source. Dr. Chance Elliott VP of R&D at Amyris describes how his company is using synthetic biology to engineer yeast to produce these same compounds from sustainable substrates. We also discuss the current business climate, how companies change with new technology, as well as how to prepare for a future for jobs in this rapidly evolving space.

A Look at the Color of Future Medical Care - Dr. Alicia Zhou

Colabra — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The company Color has taken innovative approaches to varied aspects of public health. From at-home kits that can assess cancer risk, to efforts to curb COVID19, to finding attractive ways to make health care more accessible, Color has launched an array of programs that seek to improve public health. Dr. Alicia Zhou is the Chief Science Officer of Color. We discuss Color's efforts in cancer and disease detection, it's inroads into personalized, precision medicine, and a look at how technology may enable improved access to quality health care. Color is also a leader in constructing modern biobanks, repositories of data that can help shape healthcare outcomes in diverse communities. We also discuss careers in this evolving space, and how the business is adapting to a changing health care delivery landscape in positive ways that benefit the patient and the system as a whole.

Breaking Barriers in Protein Therapeutics - Dr. Dan Mandell

Colabra — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

This is one hot tech discussion! Protein therapeutics have great potential, but significant limitations to their utility. Dr. Dan Mandell of GRO Biosciences explains how they are using a non-standard library of amino acids to increase protein presentation. Along with glycosylation and other modifications, the proteins are more therapeutically active, as such changes can improve issues like stability and visibility to the immune system. The technologies are being used to design therapeutic solutions for autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis. This is a technology dense episode that stretches the bounds of molecular biology.

Innovations in High Throughput Proteomics - Dr. Parag Mallick

Colabra — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

While many global genomics analyzes gene variants or RNA expression products, the levels of proteins are usually the most informative. At the same time, quantifying proteins is relatively difficult, especially when trying to obtain a snapshot of the proteome from a single cell or tissue. Dr. Parag Mallick of Stanford University and Nautilus Biotechnology describes the utility of high-throughput proteomics, and how the technology incorporates a novel detection method and machine learning to quantify large suites of proteins. The applications are almost endless and present great opportunities to understand how accumulation of specific proteins relates to biological function or disease states.

The Amazing Potential of Cell Transplants - Brian Culley

Colabra — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 11:00:03 +0000

Many diseases or disorders originate with a loss of cellular function. Cell death or damage is at the root of many problems associated with aging or injury. But what if the cells lost could simply be replaced to restore function? Brian Culley, CEO of Lineage Cell Therapeutics, discusses how his company has identified ways to generate specific cell types that can functionally replace lost cells in various contexts, restoring function. We discus applications in macular degeneration, hearing loss, and spinal cord injury, with potential applications in Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and many future applications.

Adjusting to the Changing Biotech Landscape - Dr. Mike Tarselli

Colabra — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:33:14 +0000

Dr. Mike Tarselli, CSO of Tetra Science and Kevin Folta have a conversation about careers in biotech, where the discipline is going, along with observations about what makes someone successful in the field. We share many personal experiences as well as projections, and lessons we learned along the way. This is a great episode if you are considering a career in biotechnology.

Drug Discovery in a Simulated Cell - Dr. Daniel Veres

Colabra — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0000

What can be learned about biology from massive datasets, and can that information unveil opportunities for new therapeutics? This is the approach by Turbine. Today's podcast discusses Turbine's approach with Dr. Dan Veres, CSO and Co-Founder of the company. He describes how data sets from multi-omics analysis are merged and analyzed to identify potential drug targets. and in silico information informs wet lab tests. The outcome is new therapeutics to treat recalcitrant disease.

Webiste: www.turbine.ai

COVID19 Misinformation "We Want Them Infected" - Dr. Jonathan Howard

Colabra — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The COVID19 pandemic was a challenge in public health, but became much worse through politicization of science and a thriving misinformation network. Over a short time, a cadre of personalities emerged in a willing media that made claims contrary to public health guidance, stoking suspicion and eroding trust in the messaging from public health experts. Dr. Jonathan Howard's book, "We Want Them Infected" is a collection of social and traditional media comments by contrarian physicians and media personalities that frame the dissent against public health guidance. Dr. Howard uses their own words to illustrate how a handful of personalities hijacked a health crisis to personally benefit, while providing false and dangerous information that clouded pandemic response, and eroded trust in vaccinations and other aspects of public health.

Buy "We Want them Infected" at Redhawk Publications
Or on Amazon

Rebuttal to RFKj's Glyphosate Comments on Joe Rogan

Colabra — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:55:46 +0000

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is recognized for his bad science around critical issues like vaccination and agricultural chemistry. Recently he enjoyed a long-form, virtually uncontested platform on the Joe Rogan Experience where he rattled misinformation after falsehood about everything from vaccination to disease to glyphosate to cell phones. Because Rogan has a massive audience, this information is particularly dangerous. Here I refute, point-by-point, the false assertions made by Kennedy, and clearly show that he is simply a motivated disinformation hustler, and his false information must be corrected. In this podcast I refute his points with evidence, and show why he should not be trusted for information about medicine or agriculture.

Happy Green Guacamole - The Non-Browning Avocado. Dr. Jeff Touchman

Colabra — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The avocado is a wonderful fruit that is gaining in popularity, full of healthful oils and other nutrients. However, consumers consistently note the obvious drawback of the short life of fresh avocados, especially when used in recipes, like guacamole. Oxidative browning occurs within minutes, and causes food waste and supply chain loss. Green Venus is a technology company that has used site-specific nucleases to edit the genome of avocado. Dr. Jeff Touchman discusses the challenges and opportunities, regulatory hurdles, and specifics of the edits, as well as the potential future of a genetically engineered avocado.

Talking Biotech Past, Present and Future

Colabra — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:38:22 +0000

The 400th episode also represents the first episode of the 9th year-- an amazing run for a tiny, self-produced podcast. Where did it come from? In this episode I talk about the genesis of the Talking Biotech podcast, from the Vern Blazek Science Power Hour, to an arm twisting by Joe Rogan, to being banned from podcasting by my university-- this is a behind-the-scenes history of this effort. I also recognize the guests that are no longer with us, yet remain a vital part of this archive.

Next Generation Livestock Vaccines - Joel Harris

Colabra — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 13:50:55 +0000

Vaccination is a cornerstone of animal health, and is critically important in animal agricultural operations. A number of devastating livestock diseases are prevented with vaccination, yet vaccines have not been developed for some of the most devastating diseases for several reasons. Long before the COVID pandemic and its slate of next-gen vaccine strategies, Harris Vaccines was using rapidly adaptable RNA-based vaccine technologies. The current suite of RNA-based vaccines have been used successfully in swine for years, with many others in development. Today's discussion is with Joel Harris, CEO of Genvax. We discuss the technology and its applications.

www.genvax.com
@genvax
@JoelTHarris

Telling Science's Story - Sam Kean

Colabra — Sat, 27 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Sam Kean is a prolific author that has a unique talent for sharing the stories of science. Trained in physics, Kean's work describes seminal events in science using a deeply researched narrative style that transforms textbook information into better-than-fiction stories of discovery. In today's episode guest co-host Gracelyn Byrd joins the podcast to discuss the state of science communication, how we can do better as scientists and science institutions, and discuss how today's events may be reflected in time.

Sam Kean on Twitter: @Sam_Kean

Constructing Brain Maps with Machine Learning - Dr. Stephan Doyen

Colabra — Sat, 20 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The human brain is complex, but over the years massive data have been gathered regarding the relationship between structure and function. From functional MRI to many other techniques, researchers slowly are resolving the relationship between brain anatomy and how it actually works. Dr. Stephan Doyen of Omniscient Neurotechnology have designed tools to parse massive collections of data relating brain structure to function, and now provide a set of tools to guide surgeons, as well as potentially serve as predictive tools in addressing challenging neurological disorders.

Website: https://www.o8t.com/

Novel Solutions for Chronic Kidney Disease -Dr. Andrew King

Colabra — Sat, 13 May 2023 13:17:27 +0000

The kidney is one of the organs necessary to filter blood, composed of tiny functional units that separate waste products from molecules the body should retain. Chronic kidney disease is a significant international problem, with up to 10% of the population requiring treatment, and extreme cases requiring dialysis and/or transplantation with significant personal and public health costs. In today's episode we speak with Dr. Andrew King, Chief Scientific Officer of Chinook Therapeutics. We discuss rare diseases of the kidney, such as disorders that lead to nephropathy, proteinuria, and oxalic acid deposition, along with how the next generation of drugs work to target these issues.

www.chinooktx.com

Synthetic Circuits in Plant Biology - Dr. James Lloyd

Colabra — Sat, 06 May 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Plant biologists use a set of tools to modulate gene expression. The well-established set of molecular switches are rather crude, with limited control of spatial or temporal expression. Dr. James Lloyd discusses the newest tools in synthetic circuits, molecules that can tailor a response with a given input. These new tools add needed nuance to the regulation of gene expression and stand to revise how we control specific genes in the lab and field.

The Uphill Battle Against Scientific Disinformation - Dr. Lonni Besançon

Kevin Folta — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Scientists are encouraged to step into the public conversation around controversial work, especially when that work seems to deliberately misinform, and can negatively affect public health. A series of authors have used to COVID pandemic to use the peer-reviewed literature to push claims that are poorly supported by legitimate evidence. These papers find favorable review from poor-quality reviewers, leading to eventual publication, and earning the patina of legitimacy, despite the poor quality of the work. Dr. Lonni Besançon and an expert team responded to a paper online that presented no original research-- just a hypothesis that is supported by cherry picked data to support a conclusion. The team wrote a response to the journal, which was peer reviewed prior to publication, yet the journal still declined to print it. This conversation shows that the claims of silencing and censorship are not stopping bad information-- but we can identify cases where efforts to correct the information are rejected.

The paper by Barrière et al.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12015-022-10465-2

How AI Has Changed the Business of Drug Discovery - Dr. Michael Zaiac

Colabra — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 05:26:14 +0000

The companies on the front edge of pharmaceutical development have identified the value of massive data sets in the future of drug design. Ironically, personalization of therapies will be improved tremendously through examination of massive data sets. Dr. Michael Zaizac from Novartis of Europe discusses how his company has they have integrated artificial intelligence and analysis of patient data sets for new discoveries in patient care.

Renewing This Old Brain - Dr. Jean Hebert

Colabra — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 12:54:55 +0000

As we age, the brain undergoes changes that lead to various disorders that affect physical ability and mental acuity. There are many processes at play, ranging from alterations in the extracellular environment, to accumulation of deleterious proteins, to a breakdown in connections between neurons. Can these processes be reversed? Dr. Jean Herbert from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine has led efforts to reconstitute brain function through use of stem cells. Current steps in animal models may one day contribute to human therapies.

Countering Livestock mRNA Vaccine Disinformation - Drs. Alison Van Eenennaam and Terry Lehenbauer

Colabra — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:37:57 +0000

The COVID pandemic accelerated development of a new class of vaccines. This class, called mRNA vaccines, allows ease in manufacture, rapid response to disease or disease variants, and many other benefits. But just like any technology, an industry has arisen to stand in its way, promoting false information that painfully mischaracterizes what these new veterinary tools truly are. A cadre of internet personalities now capitalizes off of the manufactured fear that can help farmers, consumers and the environment-- as well as fortify animal welfare. University of California scientists Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam and Dr. Terry Lehenbauer discuss what the mRNA vaccines are, and how efforts to oppose them defy science, especially when codified into law by clueless politicians.

The Changing Biotech Business and Big Data Ecosystem - Dr. Jeffrey Reid, Regeneron

Colabra — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 10:45:08 +0000

In a rapidly changing technology environment, how do established businesses tackle smart growth and continue transformative change? In this special edition of Talking Biotech Podcast we examine the business climate of Regeneron, and how growth in the era of genomics and massive data sets from human health changed the process of drug discovery, but also changed how the company would respond to new opportunities and challenges. Dr. Jeffery Reid, Chief Data Officer, explains where the company was, and how it has changed with the rocketing pace of data acquisition and integration.

Science Controversies in Social Media - Dr. Liza Dunn

Colabra — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode Dr. Kevin Folta shares a spontaneous conversation with Dr. Liza Dunn. Dr. Dunn is an emergency medicine physician with a specialty in medical toxicology, now working as the Medical Affair Lead at Bayer CropScience. The discussion covers the current scientific environment in social media, and emphasizes the need for scientists to be engaging. Topics from communication about vaccines to genetic engineering are covered.

Follow Dr. Dunn at @DrLizaMD

Biotech Potatoes and Food Security - Dr. David Douches

Colabra — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The potato is a world food staple, yet it is constantly threated by fungal and viral pathogens in all of its growing regions. Farmers combat these problems with chemistry, which cuts farmers profits and has potential consequences for applicators and the environment. Dr. David Douches from Michigan State University discusses the USAID project that installed a cassette of disease resistance genes from wild potato species in the cultivated potato. The result is a potato that can survive better in the Developing World, helping to ensure food security.

Students Against Misinformation -Special Episode-

Colabra — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:59:36 +0000

Whereas we used to be challenged with finding information, today we are flooded with information, and our job has switched to vetting it's merits. Three students from the University of Florida spoke to me about their efforts in a national competition to study the origins of false information and communicate how to identify good information to the public. Tammy, Heather and Courtney were amazing guests that discussed their mission, along with a suite of online resources to help guide the public to quality information.

Treating Mental Illness through Nasal Drug Delivery - Shawn Singh

Colabra — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. At the same time, treatment is frequently dependent on legacy drugs that oftentimes to do not work well, have drug interactions, or can lead to addiction or dependence. New therapies are also available, yet they they are systemic and can also have drug interactions and unfavorable side effects. New therapies are needed, especially those with more direct delivery to the relevant regions of the brain. Shawn Singh, CEO of VistaGen, describes their new drug candidates that target depression and anxiety. The novel compounds are delivered as nasal sprays, providing direct interaction with neurological pathways in the olfactory bulb that connect directly to the regions of the brain that affect mood and anxiety. These candidate therapeutics are less likely to drive side effects due to the low levels delivered and their direct interaction with the brain.

VistaGen
www.vistagen.com
www.twitter.com/VistaGen
www.facebook.com/VistaGen

Reinventing Lipid Nanoparticles - Dr. John Lewis

Colabra — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Lipid nanoparticles have been around for decades, but they took a spotlight in the delivery of the COVID19 mRNA-based vaccines. This chemical cage can fuse with cell membranes and deliver a specific payload to a cell. While the delivery to specific cells is routine, are there ways to improve the system to have more specific therapeutic benefit. Dr. John Lewis of Entos discusses lipid nanoparticle chemistry and new formulations that exhibit enhanced capacity to target specific locations and deliver payloads more effectively. We also discuss the current therapies that may benefit from the new technologies.

Gene Therapy to Cure Rare Disease - Dr. Gaurav Shah

Colabra — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

There are many rare diseases that originate with a single letter change in DNA, and they can cause tremendous physical and financial hardship for families affected. Viral-based gene therapies have been a promise for decades, and modern technology is now bringing these concepts to fruition. Dr. Gaurav Shah, CEO of Rocket Pharma, describes the power of the current gene therapy approaches, along with the pipeline of potential therapeutics that could represent cures for rare disease.

Inspiring Innovations; State of Alzheirmer's Therapies - Dr. Leen Kawas

Colabra — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 05:49:00 +0000

This week's podcast has two parts. Dr. Leen Kawas , Managing General Partner at Propel Biopartners, speaks about how biotech startups can benefit from skilled oversight and capital provided from experts that understand the business/science ecosystem. In the second part we discuss the latest therapies for Alzheimer's Disease, and how trials and regulation can't follow traditional trajectories. Alzheimer's has variation in etiology, patients start treatments after a diagnosis which may be years after the disease is well established, and progression is dependent on many genetic factors. All of these variables make any assessments problematic. At the same time several new antibody-based therapies show promise.

Nature's Transgenics - Evidence of Lateral Gene Transfer in Plants - Dr. Lara Pereira

Colabra — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000

As the amount of plant genomic DNA sequence increases, scientists have detected DNA sequence information that simply does not conveniently fit into genome assemblies, and clearly appears to be from somewhere else. Dr. Lara Pereira from the University of Sheffield explains the surprising frequency of lateral gene transfer between grass species. The mechanism of crossing the species barrier is discussed, along with the frequency of horizontal transfer. We discuss the ramifications of unregulated integration of DNA into plant genomes and the perception of transgenic plants in the EU and other locations where crop genetic engineering is not viewed favorably. The results also suggest additional care when monitoring gene escape in transgenic grasses like maize.

Follow Dr. Pereira on Twitter at @LarrLarrr

Status of the Biotech Salmon - Silvia Wulf

Colabra — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Salmon are outstanding table fare, featuring flavor and nutrition. The AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically engineered salmon that is resistant to changes in growth due to seasonal fluctuation or the stresses encountered in traditional ocean-net salmon farms. Despite the advantages, the salmon has been caught in deregulation for many years, limiting consumer access. Silvia Wulf of AquAdvantage talks about the current status of availability, the technology, the criticisms and the future of the AquAdvantage salmon.

Stopping Long-Term Disease by Arresting Aging - Dr. Eric Morgen

Colabra — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

The mythical Fountain of Youth may be an actual component of our physiology. Aging is not simply the body breaking down against the calendar, it is a coordinated series of molecular/biochemical changes that occur with time. There is an active hypothesis that later-life medical issues are not just happening as we age, but are actually caused by aging, meaning there are potential drug targets that may slow the process. BioAge performed -omics level analysis on populations of aging individuals, revealing patterns of proteins and metabolites that may be causal components of the aging process. New therapeutics seek to target aspects of human senescence, potentially delaying the onset of late-life disease. Dr. Eric Morgen of BioAge describes how his company has used a novel approach to identify new compounds that may play eventual roles in slowing the aging process.

The Risks of Manufactured Viruses - Dr. Kevin Esvelt

Colabra — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 11:02:01 +0000

What are the risks associated with being able to create custom DNA? Today's podcast discusses the potential weaponization of synthesized nucleic acid sequences. Dr. Kevin Esvelt discusses synthetic DNA and synthetic viruses, along with the possibility that they may drive the next pandemics or become the basis for future biological weapons. The dark realities are discussed, along with surveillance and mitigation strategies, as well as the broken social trust that could fuel a human-made pandemic.

Biotech Fetal Diagnostics - Daniel Weisman

Colabra — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000

If a genetic disorder can be detected in the developing fetus, it provides families and physicians vital information that can guide important decisions. From family planning to medical intervention, new molecular techniques are being employed to detect potential anomalies as early as 10 weeks after conception. The modern genetic counselor is an expert at communicating the results of these tests, building trust to advise decisions that benefit the parents and the child.

Brexit May Bring Gene Editing to the UK- Cameron English

Colabra — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

While there are many views on Brexit, one certain benefit is the UK's self-governing role in scientific regulatory affairs. The EU's position on genetic engineering has perplexed its scientists, as they create solutions for EU farmers that may never be implemented. Now out from the EU's onerous non-scientific regulatory oversight, the UK may choose to deregulate gene editing. Cameron English talks about the proposed regulatory changes and how they may benefit the UK's farmers and scientists. You can read his report here: https://iea.org.uk/publications/harvest-time-why-the-uk-should-unleash-the-power-of-gene-editing/

Releasing the Biotech Blight Resistant Chestnut - Erik Carlson

Colabra — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The American chestnut was a dominant tree in many forests in the eastern United States. In the late 1800's an imported fungus spread rapidly throughout the range, destroying most of the trees in a matter of decades. Scientists at the State University of New York have engineered trees to host a gene from wheat that disarms the fungal invader, breaking the production of an acid required for infection. This strategy allows the tree and the fungus to live together without infection. Erik Carlson discusses the problem, the project, the push back and the current deregulation efforts to release the tree in the interest of repatriating its native range.

Read the release docket and provide your comments here -- https://www.regulations.gov/document/APHIS-2020-0030-8291/comment

New Cancer Drugs: Breaking the Cell Cycle -- Spiro Rombotis

Colabra — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The "cell cycle" describes discrete steps in the process of cell division. The progression is mediated by a series of gatekeeping biochemical activities that ensure complete replication of DNA, and surveil it for fidelity. Precise execution of cell cycle is necessary for normal growth and development. At the same time, loss of cell cycle coordination can lead to aberrant cell proliferation that can become genetically unstable, a condition recognized as cancer. Many drugs target the enzymes that control cell cycle progression, and several appear to be attractive candidates for future therapeutics. Spiro Rombotis of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals describes targeting the cell cycle, along with new drugs that show promise in slowing, arresting, or possibly reversing some challenging subtypes of cancers.

Bioengineering Yeast for Better Beer - Dr. Charles Denby

Colabra — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Beer is a beverage derived from the fermentation of grain by yeast. Hops impart their specific flavor and aroma notes. Together these ingredients produce a vast array of flavors and aromas that have become extremely popular in modern beer circles. Like any industrial workhorse organism, brewing yeast is significantly different from its wild antecedents. It has been bred to perform in fermentation, while creating metabolites that touch the senses of the consumer. Berkeley Yeast is taking the genetic improvement of yeast one step farther. Using modern biotechnology, their yeast strains are designed to create novel flavor and exciting aromas. Their efforts define a faster way to control the chemistry of fermentation, producing better products for consumers.

Genes Controlling Plant Size

Colabra — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Bigger plants are better, right? Not always. Control of plant or tree size can have many advantages, and genetic control of 'dwarf' phenotypes has been important in feeding a billion people. The problem is that the changes induced by dwarfing genes can have a negative effect on other aspects of plant biology, so identifying new genes to control size is an important goal. Dr. Philippa Borrill is a group leader at the John Innes Center, and she recently discovered a gene that contributes to size control in wheat. The discovery establishes a new means to possibly develop more productive crop varieties.

As Gods: A Moral History of the Genetic Age - Matthew Cobb

Colabra — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The modern era of genetic engineering has opened tremendous opportunities in medicine and agriculture. But who governs when the technology should be applied? Similar questions were asked in the 1970s at the dawn of recombinant DNA technology. In his new book As Gods - A Moral History of the Genetic Age, Prof. Matthew Cobb discusses these watershed moments in molecular biology, and discusses his views on the newest applications in gene drives, human germline gene editing, and gain-of-function research.

Purchase at Amazon

The Genomes of Parasites - Dr. Jessie Kissinger

Colabra — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 16:03:35 +0000

Parasites are known contributors to human disease and suffering, spanning a wide range of organisms. Dr. Jessie Kissinger from the University of Georgia has spent the last two decades curating genomic data from hundreds of parasites, their vectors and hosts. The information helps researchers generate hypotheses about parasites, and presents a fertile resources for comparing genomes and understanding similarities and differences across this diverse set of organisms.

VEuPathDB.org (Vector and Eukaryotic Pathogens Resource Center)

ClinEpiDB.org (Clinical and Epidemiological resource with DIY analyses and many BGMF studies)

@jcklab (Dr. Kissinger twitter)

mango.ctegd.uga.edu (lab website)

Cancer Misinformation - Dr. Skyler Johnson

Colabra — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

"Cancer" is the generic term applying to any one of many cellular proliferative disorders that threaten normal physiology. Various cancers have specific etiologies and require expertise in detection and treatment. New therapies are as innovative as they are promising, and a once dreaded prognosis now may have increased opportunity for cure, with better therapies on the horizon. But as it goes, with innovation comes resistance, and false information about cancer and its treatment flourish on social media. Today's guest is Dr. Skyler Johnson from the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. He describes his work as a radiation oncologist and how misinformation permeates online discussion of cancer, oftentimes with tragic outcomes.

Livestock, Climate Change, and Attacks on a Scientist - Dr. Frank Mitloehner

Colabra — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 09:25:35 +0000

Animal agriculture contributes greenhouse gases that can influence climate change. One source in particular is cattle, as ruminant livestock produce methane from their specialized digestion, which is an especially potent greenhouse gas. Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the University of California Davis is an air quality expert in the area of ruminant biology. His research examines ways to mitigate the impact of livestock on climate, and his outreach efforts ensure that the information reaches the farmers and ranchers that can employ these strategies. In today's podcast we discuss the role of livestock in animal agriculture, as well as how he communicates new researchers to stakeholders. In the second half, we discuss an article in the New York Times that specifically targets Dr. Mitloehner, suggesting that big-money-industry taints his research and outreach outcomes. This baseless attack on a scientist's reputation is unsubstantiated by evidence, yet is penetrating, visible media clearly designed to harm a trusted public scientist and scholar. We discuss the impacts and how to scientists push through baseless allegations.

A Gene-Edited Vaccine Against Malaria - Dr. Stefan Kappe

Colabra — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The mosquito is the most deadly animal on earth. It vectors a plasmodium, a eukaryotic parasite that invades the liver of the host and ultimately attacks red blood cells. There are some therapies and preventatives, but a durable vaccine would be a game changer in the Developing World. Dr. Stefan Kappe and his team have developed a vaccine based on the weakened plasmodium parasite. They used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disrupt genes required for life cycle progression, so the vaccinated can receive a vaccination and invoke a strong immunological response against the actual pathogen if encountered. Clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy, and paved the way for even more effective approaches that may be significant public health advances throughout the Developing World.

Link to Dr. Kappe's Laboratory

Link to the accompanying paper here.

Seralini's Lumpy Rats - Ten Years Later

Colabra — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Ten years ago the biotech world froze and horrific images of three tumor-ridden rats penetrated the media. Social media erupted with messages of fear, and anti-biotech activists celebrated the scientific publication that conclusively linked biotech crops and an associated herbicide to cancer and early death. But at the same time a scientific community noted the shortcomings of the work. Eventually the paper was retracted, and independent research commissioned by the European Union failed to replicate the results. Still 10 years later, the three iconic rodents are used to dissuade the public from accepting biotechnology, and push a false narrative that was codified with the Seralini study.
This week's podcast features the views of scientists and journalists, including Dr. Mary Mangan, Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Jon Entine, Joan Conrow, Michael Robin, Dr. Stuart Smyth, Dr. Myles Power and others.

The opinions expressed are those of the individual guests and not necessarily those of Kevin Folta, Colabra, or the University of Florida.

New Therapeutics for Novel Problems through Collaboration - Dr. Betsy O'neill

Colabra — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Dr. Betsy O'neill, VP of External Innovation at Horizon Therapeutics describes how strategic partnerships can assist biotech startups in moving new therapies through development to deployment. She discusses her company's collaborative approach, and how working together can assist in efforts to navigate the challenging business and regulatory environment.

The Long COVID HERV Connection - Dr. Claudia Matteucci

Colabra — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genome-resident relics of ancient infections. They comprise 8% of the human genome, and are activated by viral infections. Proteins like HERV-W and HERV-K accumulate following infections and have been causally connected to Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Scientists have now observed that SARS-CoV2 infection also induces expression of specific HERV proteins. Prof. Claudia Matteucci discusses the role of HERVs and their tie to COVID19 diagnosis and potentially as central players in long COVID.

Purple Tomatoes and Health - Dr. Cathie Martin

Colabra — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Anthocyanins are a class of plant pigments associated with healthful qualities in food. While research continues to assess their true health benefits in vivo, there is no question that the attractive fruits stimulate the senses and bring novelty to the diet. Dr. Cathie Martin of the John Innes Center in Norwich, England discusses the technology behind the purple tomato, its potential benefits to animal health, its effects on tomato shelf life, and the recent USDA nod to release of the purple tomato in the USA.

Rapid Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections with Microfluidics - Dr. Anna Dixon

Colabra — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydial and gonorrhea are making a comeback, especially with younger demographics. Part of the problem is the stigma of examination and testing. These are not trivial infections, and can result in more complicated syndromes, which could include sterility or issues reproductive health. Early, discrete, confidential detection is key. Today's guest is Dr. Anna Dixon. She's the Chief Technology Officer of Binx Health. Her company has devised a lab-on-a-chip solution that provides fast and accurate diagnosis of specific infections in thirty minutes. Providing non-invasive, rapid and accurate, point-of-care detection can have profound roles in advancing patient care, as well as decreasing the incidence of disease in a population.

The Gut-Brain Axis: What it is, associated problems and new therapies. Nancy Thornberry

Colabra — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Communication between the digestive system and brain is much more intricate than previously thought. The digestive epithelium is laced with sensors that monitor the contents of the gut, reporting back to the brain, stimulating appropriate hormones and digestive action to guide motility, chemistry, and absorption. This network is frequently referred to as the 'second brain' because of the dense neurophysiology at work. Recently it has been hypothesized that dysfunction in the gut-brain axis may be the basis for several immune and neurological disorders, suggesting that this neurological system may be an excellent drug target. Nancy Thornberry, CEO and Founder of Kallyope (Cal-EE-O-pay) describes the gut-brain axis, its role in digestive signaling, her company's novel drug discovery methods, and potential drug targets that may lead to innovative therapies for human health originating here in the second brain.

Dr. Nikolay Kandul: Precision Insect Control with Gene Editing

Colabra — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 08:29:46 +0000

Insects cause massive losses in human health and agriculture. Scientists have implemented Sterile Insect Technique for over 50 years, a process to suppress populations by introducing genetically-damaged insects into natural settings. Upon mating, the offspring. Scientists have now used gene editing techniques to selectively suppress the Spotted Wing Drosophila, a costly pest in agricultural contexts. Today's podcast is an interview with Dr. Nikolay Kandul, a scientist working with a team that has used an innovative Cas9/gene editing approach to suppress populations of this devastating and costly invasive pest. The application seeks to cut insecticide use and costs for farmers and consumers.

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam: Update on Animal Genome Editing

Colabra — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 14:22:24 +0000

While the vast majority of gene editing efforts have been confined to crop plants, animal gene editing holds tremendous promise. Efforts have demonstrated that naturally-occurring alleles could be reconstituted using site-specific nucleases, creating hornless dairy cattle and beef cattle with sex ratios skewed towards a higher proportion of males. These breakthroughs are just a sample of the powerful technology. Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam is a Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California Davis. She has been an academic leader in animal genetic engineering and public communication about new technology.

Follow her at @BioBeef on twitter.

The podcast also features a conversation with Jilian Hendricks, a graduate student at the University of British Columbia. She is seeking assistance for a scholarly project, and would like to interview a number of scientists about gene editing. Her email is jhendric "at" mail.ubc.ca

Dr. Liang Schweizer: Creating Targeted Antibodies in Single Cells

Colabra — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Immunotherapies represent a powerful suite of treatments that co-opt the immune system to target deleterious cellular conditions. They have been effective with a series of cancers and other disorders. The problem is that development of new antibodies can be challenging for several technical reasons, but also because no two people are alike. Dr. Liang Schweizer of HiFiBio describes how her company is using single-cells and microfluidics to identify new antibodies that may be mobilized against discrete cellular targets, as well as what they have learned about heterogeneity between patients and how to identify specific biomarkers that could guide application of the most effective treatments.

Celine Halioua: Extending Health and Life, Starting with Dogs

Colabra — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Dogs are a recent species, and because of their close associations with humans have diverged into hundreds of breeds with specific behaviors, sizes and builds. There also is a great range in life expectancy and anticipated disease. Dogs therefore provide an excellent model to study aging and aging-related disorders, as well as understand the genetics and associated factors of aging. Celine Halioua, the CEO of Loyal, joins the podcast to discuss research into dog genetics and the factors that influence aging, along with her company's attempts to find drugs that can attenuate the process, and possibly be extended to humans.

Dr. Mallory Embree: Optimizing Animal Microbiomes

Colabra — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 04:09:19 +0000

A microbiome is described as a population of bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses that inhabit a specific environment. Animals, including humans, are composed of many microbiomes featuring trillions of microbes. There are different microbiomes found throughout the animal digestive tract, each with important roles in animal digestion, feed conversion, overall health. Dr. Mallory Embree is the co-founder and CSO of Native Microbials. Her company has explored relationships between microbial populations and important animal production and health metrics. They have devised custom mixtures of bacteria and fungi to supplement the diet, with positive results from cattle and chickens, and companion animals like dogs. Their pipeline features multiple products that specifically target aspects of animal husbandry. Their results verify that adjustment of the microbiome can have positive effects on animals, farmer profit, and even enhanced environmental sustainability.

Dr. Shelley McGuire and Gabe Ignetti: Glyphosate in Breast Milk? / Eco-Modernism

Colabra — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000

This week's podcast has two parts. In the first section University of Idaho lactation specialist Dr. Shelley McGuire discusses the recent paper that claims to have found the herbicide glyphosate in breast milk. In the second half Gabe Ignetti from the Ecomodernist Society of North America discusses an environmental movement that embraces science, including biotechnology and nuclear power.

Dr. Erica Barnell: Stool-Based Detection of Colon Cancer

Colabra — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death, but is remarkably treatable if caught early. Unfortunately, because of the invasive nature of the colonoscopy, many elect not to have this procedure done in a regular and timely manner. Colorectal cancers advance from normal cells through several distinct neoplasias, each with distinct patterns of gene expression. Today's guest is Dr. Erica Barnell from Geneoscopy. They have devised a test to identify evidence of precancerous gene expression in the stool. This advance makes early detection more feasible, along with a higher likelihood of frequent testing, at a significantly lower cost than outpatient procedures.

Genoscopy Information:
Website: www.geneoscopy.com

LinkedIn: @Geneoscopy

Twitter: @GeneoscopyCo

Facebook: @GeneoscopyCo

Dr. Scott Franklin: Microalgae - Factories for Improved Polymers

Colabra — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The foundation of many modern consumer products begins with petroleum. Fossil fuels contain the building blocks of higher-complexity polymers, and are used in the creation of everything from high performance plastics in medical devices to your computer screen. But using petroleum use is not sustainable and has impacts in climate and pollution. What if the same molecular polymer backbones could be produced using biological organisms? Dr. Scott Franklin from Checkerspot explains how microalgae are being used to manufacture the fundamental building blocks of high performance polymers in a system that creates zero waste. These chemical backbones are used to create high-performance polymers that are fashioned into sporting goods for consumers interested in sustainability.

Joel Rurik: CAR-T Therapies to Reverse Cardiac Fibrosis

Colabra — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 02:22:58 +0000

Injury to organs frequently results in impaired function due to the formation of scar tissue. Heart attacks and chronic high blood pressure can induce the formation of pathogenic fibroblasts, cells that lose their original function, yet maintain some structural element of the injured tissue. The formation of fibrogenic tissue affects a significant portion of the population, and contributes to decline associated with many diseases, such as congestive heart failure or liver cirrhosis. A new technology uses targeted lipid nanoparticles to reprogram T-cells to attack pathogenic fibroblasts.

Dr. Sandra Pritzkow: Prions and Chronic Wasting Disease

Colabra — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Prion disorders are rare neurological diseases where a protein within the nervous system converts to a pathological form. The change in conformation affects other proteins, recruiting them to the misshapen, deleterious type. Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease of deer, caused by prion conversion. In this episode Dr. Sandra Pritzkow from University of Texas Health - Houston describes prion related disease, and specifically the atypical transmission elements of chronic wasting disease.

Dr. Liza Dunn: Biotech, Pesticides, Toxicology and Food

Colabra — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 15:44:04 +0000

Specific chemistries are used to protect crops from insects, weeds, fungi and other microbes. Legacy issues with some older pesticides led to restrictions or bans on their use. Unfortunately, suspicion remains around contemporary solutions, even though today's chemistries are highly specific, with low toxicity to non-target organisms, including humans. Use of crop protection compounds is critical to all agriculture, including organic production. However, activist groups continue to manufacture fear, uncertainty and doubt to override what we really know about the detection of these compounds in food and the relative toxicity at levels found. Dr. Liza Dunn is an emergency medical doctor and toxicologist. For the last several years she has been working with the Bayer Corporation, and has been a leading important conversations about pesticides, residues, and their potential for impacts on human health.
Follow her at @DrLizaMD

Dr. Asaf Hellman: Methylation of DNA, Relationship to Disease

Colabra — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression occurs via many mechanisms. One method is the methylation of regulatory sequences that control the expression of specific genes. Methylation is the addition of a small methyl group to specific bases of the DNA helix. Addition of a methyl group can change how the DNA blueprint is accessed and expressed. Today's guest is Prof. Asaf Hellman. His group has found relationships between the methylation state of DNA and expression of genes associated with diabetes and cancers. Understanding these patterns may help inform predisposition to disease, as well as eventually causal factors and drug targets.

Dr. Tim Errington: Addressing the Issue of Scientific Reproducibility

Colabra — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Recent reports criticized the lack of reproducibility in scientific publications, and this has profound effects on the public's trust in research results. Today's interview is with Tim Errington, Director of Research at the Center for Open Science. The Center for Open Science has devised a series of strategies and tools that can help improve reproducibility, as well as offer collateral benefits to scientists.

Dr. Mathias Uhlen: The Human Protein Atlas

Colabra — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Proteins define the structure and function of cells. The human genome encodes tens of thousands of proteins, yet we know surprisingly little about most of their functions. The Human Protein Atlas uses labor-intensive methods to identify the tissue localization of a significant catalog of human proteins. The reasoning is that if we know where a protein is expressed, we can begin to infer roles in cellular processes. The Human Protein Atlas is an open source resource of over 15 million images that define where different proteins are located. This week's podcast discusses the Atlas with Dr. Mathias Uhlen of the University of Stockholm. We speak about the origins of the database, how the work is done, and potential applications of this incredible resource.

Dr. Dietrich Stephan: New Drugs that Repair Broken Genes

Colabra — Sat, 28 May 2022 04:33:27 +0000

Many diseases do not have cures, yet from deleterious mutations in the genome. Many of these are rare disorders that do not benefit from extensive research or drug development. Current therapies mask symptoms more than solve the basis of the disorder. Dietrich Stephan of NewBase describes a novel custom drug design platform that shows amazing potential in animal models. A small oligonucelotide with a specific backbone can bind to its complementary sequence in DNA or RNA, derailing RNA polymerase, or dissociating other regulatory proteins. The design is highly specific and shows great promise against a myriad of disorders, including Myotonic Dystrophy, Huntington's Disease, and various cancers. This episode features a deep dive into molecular biology, so please do not hesitate to ask questions, it is interesting technology.

Jon Guy: An Owner's Manual for the Mind

Colabra — Sat, 21 May 2022 22:36:35 +0000

We are bombarded by claims, and have access to the most information in human history, instantly. How do we sort it out? What is real and what's not? Who do we trust? These are major questions today, and affect everything from public health to the foundations of democracy in the USA. From the news to the internet to the dinner table we are immersed in suspect information. How do we recognize and address conspiratorial thinking? What mistakes do we make when analyzing a problem? How can we recognize disinformation? Jon Guy has written a new book, Think Straight, that that addresses these questions perfectly, by providing a tool kit for dissection of information and claims. He covers a broad section of topics in what might be the most complete work on the subject of critical thinking and skepticism.

Pre-Order on Amazon Here

Meredith Fensom: Update on Self-Limiting Mosquitoes

Colabra — Sat, 14 May 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Mosquitoes are the world's most dangerous animals, vectoring dozens of diseases. One of the major disease vectors is Ades aegypti, an invasive insect with an ever-expanding range. Municipalities have turned to insecticides for control, which can impact beneficial insects. Sterile insect techniques, performed by mutagenizing mosquitoes to sterility, can work well in controlling insect populations. Over the last decade, Oxitec has advanced technologies that use a molecular techniques to repress development of mosquitoes in subsequent populations. Release of their genetically engineered males leads to decreasing populations of resident mosquitoes. In this week's podcast we discuss the risks, benefits, and overall strategy, along with the company's public communications efforts, with the goal of increasing deployment of this technology when it can complement pubic health initiatives.

Dr. Oki O'Connor: New Drugs Targeting Dangerous Cholesterol

Colabra — Sat, 07 May 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death worldwide. Current treatments are aimed at prevention-- using various medications to control the health of the circulatory system. This week's podcast speaks with Dr. Oki O'Connor, Co-CEO of Underdog Pharmaceuticals. Dr. O'Connor discusses the cellular basis of atherosclerosis, and how modified cholesterol play a central role in its development. We then discuss the ability of a cyclical carbohydrate called cyclodextrin to sequester cholesterol, and how this company has used computer modeling to modify cyclodextrins to limit and potentially reverse cardiovascular disease. There are also potential ramifications in Alzheimer's Disease prevention and treatment.

Dr. Awais Khan: Breeding the Next Amazing Apple

Colabra — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Apples are a beloved fruit, with over 8000 varieties available worldwide. The apples in the grocery store represent just a tiny section of apple genetic potential, a few flavors that ship well and can be stored for a long period of time. But today in the genomics era new tools seek to speed the breeding of apples to create new varieties, flavors, and disease resistance packages. The goal is to help farmers and consumers produce the next generation of superior apple varieties. With Dr. Awais Khan, apple breeder from Cornell University.

Dr. Michael Levin: Biological Plasticity, Bioelectricity, and Limb Regeneration

Colabra — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The process of animal development is a complex coordination of different genes through time. At least that's what we thought. Dr. Michael Levin from Tufts University is forcing us to rethink these processes, with impacts in medicine, cancers, correction of developmental defects and limb regeneration. ,

Dr. Brandon McFadden: Consumer Sentiment and Gene Editing

Colabra — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 03:43:09 +0000

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas, TALEN or other tools allows scientists to make directed and precise changes in DNA. The technologies promise to transform agriculture and medicine. But the application of these technologies hinges on consumer sentiment. Dr. Brandon Mc Fadden is an agricultural economist that specializes in understanding what makes consumers tick. We have a conversation about gene editing, public sentiment, and how it varies between agriculture and medicine.

Joe Landolina: Stopping Bleeding with Algal-Based Polymers

Colabra — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A significant number of fatalities are due to blood loss following accidents, injuries or medical procedures. While many methods can stop catastrophic bleeds, they take time and are not always successful. This episode explores the process of inducing bleeding cessation with Joe Landolina of Cresilon. The company has devised a polymer from algae that is applied topically, and immediately stops the bleed. The science behind this innovation and potential applications are discussed.

Dr. Felicia Wu: Fungal Toxins in Food

Colabra — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Mycotoxins are carcinogenic compounds that arise from specific fungal infections in various crop plants, with corn and peanut being key examples. In the industrialized world, governments monitor relevant crops carefully, and install strict thresholds for presence of these dangerous compounds. But what about Developing World? Today's podcast interviews Dr. Felicia Wu, Professor at Michigan State University. Dr. Wu has analyzed the risk associated with mycotoxins, and has studied how various technologies mitigate their effects. This is a shocking revelation about world food security, and a hopeful glance into methods of surveillance and new technology to improve global human health.

Dr. Olly Peoples: Plastics and Fuels from Camelina

Colabra — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Camelina (Camelina sativa) is an oilseed brassica that grows fast and produces many seeds. It grows in marginal soil and great resistance to disease and environmental stress. That said, it is an ideal plant to use as a factory to produce a variety of metabolites that may be used in applications such as fuels and plastics, as well as a sources of healthy food oils and animal nutrition products. Their resilience as a crop and rapid growth means that they may offer farmers an off-season cover crop that can add to soil health and produce important products. This week's interview is an interview with Yield10's CEO Dr. Olly Peoples. Yield10 is advancing the genetics of camelina to produce a variety of useful key polymers, nutrition products and food for animals, inside a cover crop that can expand profitable options for farmers.

Visit Yield 10's Camelina website here.

Dr. Arvinda Nath: Endogenous Retroviruses and Disease

Colabra — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Upon sequencing the human genome, scientists were surprised to find that it is composed of about 8% viral sequence. These fossils are relics of ancient primate infections where retroviruses incorporated into the chromosome and became part of the human lineage. While these viral elements have contributed positively to speciation and development of specific human traits, they also have the capacity to become pathogenic. Dr. Advinda Nath is the Clinical Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. He joins Talking Biotech to share his experiences, knowledge and predictions in this exciting, emerging area of research.

Melanie Trecek-King: Evaluating Scientific Claims

Colabra — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0000

We are bombarded with information, but do we know what sources to trust and how to evaluate specific claims? Melanie Tercek-King joins the podcast to discuss some fundamentals of critical thinking, and implement her tool kit to evaluate which claims have merit, and which might be best disregarded.

Dr. Robert Paarlberg: Resetting the Table

Colabra — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 22:07:46 +0000

In his new book Dr. Robert Paarlberg describes the current state of the food system, focusing on issues like industrial farming, organic farming, restaurants, biotechnology, and how technology will impact farming in the future. In today's podcast we discuss some of the critical points of the book and what food and farming may look like in the future.

Dr. Monika Gulia-Nuss: Biotech and Tick Vectored Disease

Colabra — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 19:08:50 +0000

Ticks are significant disease vectors, with an emerging scope of pathologies associated with tick bites. New technologies have accelerated the ability to genetically engineer ticks, creating new opportunities to understand gene function in ticks, as well as potentially use gene editing to control numbers or affect disease vectoring. Dr. Monika Gulia-Nuss (University of Nevada, Reno) and Dr. Jason Rasgon (Penn State University) describe tick disease transmission, new transformation technology, and potential applications.

Dr. Anne Simon: Plant Viruses / X Files Science

Kevin Folta — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. Anne Simon is an expert in plant viruses. She describes some of the current threats to plant biology, and discusses ways that viruses may be used to work for us, rather than against us. She also discusses her time as a technical advisor to The X Files series, and how that experience helped her to share science.

Follow Dr. Simon on Twitter here!

Jesus Martin-Garcia: New Therapies for HERV-Based Disease

Colabra — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 17:51:17 +0000

Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) comprise 8% of the human genome and are relics of ancient infections, some dating back to pre-human primates. These resident viral elements can be awakened by viral infections, and have been shown to be tightly associated with diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). New data suggest a role for HERVs in the neurological symptoms of long COVID. Today's podcast features a conversation with Jesus Martin-Garcia, CEO and Co-Founder of GeNeuro. New therapies target the rogue proteins arising from these ancient viruses, and show promise in treating, if not reversing, disease progression.

Follow GeNeuro on Twitter
GeNeuro Website http://www.geneuro.com/
YouTube Videos of their technology

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The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Talking Biotech Podcast Changes and Future

Kevin Folta — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 17:37:56 +0000

As we enter our eighth year, the podcast is partnering with Colabra, experts in laboratory IT that will help and accelerate your R&D. You won't see changes in content, but you'll see improvements in website, podcast quality, transcripts and other improvements for the listener. I'm grateful for such substantial listenership and the opportunity to have this forum for my passion of sharing science.

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Eric Focht: Avocado Genetics and Improvement

Colabra — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 20:55:36 +0000

Avocado consumption is rapidly increasing, and global production booming. However, the diversity of fruit choices is typically constrained to Hass. There is tremendous diversity in avocado, featuring a range of flavors, oil content and seasonal availability. In this week’s podcast we speak with Eric Focht who has been running the breeding program at University of California in Riverside. We discuss the genetic origins, the breeding priorities, and next steps in the genetic improvement of the crop.

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Trish Jordan: Hollywood and the Percy Schmeiser Story

Colabra — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 05:00:07 +0000

The story of Percy Schmeiser is a well known tale of big biotech against the little farmer from rural Saskatchewan. Schmeiser grew canola, and his outstanding harvests were due to herbicide tolerant seeds that he grew himself from materials obtained from means other than purchase. This violation of patent rights became the fodder of activist organizations, and a test of how a large company would respond to an unlicensed use of their technology. Schmeiser became the darling of anti-GMO activists, and he became the figurehead of a conversation about technology, patents, farmers’ rights, and seed sovereignty. This week’s podcast analyzes the film Percy vs. Goliath, a film that attempts to tell Schmeiser’s story. But what was accurate and what was fictionalized in the film? I spoke with Trish Jordan, who at the time was a communications lead at the Monsanto Corporation and followed the story very closely. She had a front-row seat for the legal proceedings and provides her analysis of the film’s veracity.

Follow Trish on Twitter: @AggieCoolChick
IMDB page for Percy vs. Goliath

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Zack Johnson: The Importance of Telling Ag’s Story

Colabra — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 05:00:01 +0000

One of the criticisms of farmers is that they fail to engage the public to show what they do. It is understandable, their days are busy, competition is stiff, and farming selects for folks that shun the spotlight. Still it is critical to meet the public where they are, and that is exactly what Zack Johnson does. Zack is best known as Millennial Famer on YouTube. He posts video accounts of his daily work, but also interesting events that happen on his farm and around his area. The videos provide and educational and informative look at what happens on the farm, the technology, the hardships, the successes. In this episode we discuss his entry into public engagement, his motivations, and how being a celebrity farmer has affected his operation.

Watch Millennial Farmer on YouTube
Follow Zack on Twitter
Millennial Farmer Website

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Dr. John Houston: Attacking Disease by Targeting Proteins

Colabra — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:09:00 +0000

Many diseases are rooted in the incorrect accumulation of proteins that regulate key cellular processes. Dozens of proteins control processes like cell division and cell death, and aberrant accumulation of these regulatory molecules can have profound health impacts. The Arvinas company has developed a means to specifically target specific proteins for degradation, exploiting a system called ubiqitination. Ubiqutin is a small molecular tag that sentences tagged proteins for degradation. Dr. John Houston is the CEO of Arvinas, and he describes the company’s progress in this exciting area of research and development. We discuss the technology, the progress, and the Arvinas pipeline. This alternative approach to controlling cellular processes holds great promise in the treatment of a number of human diseases.

www.Arvinas.com

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Erik Carlson: Update on Transgenic (“GMO”) Chestnut

Colabra — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 05:00:37 +0000

The American Chestnut used to dominate Appalachian forests, but declined after a fungal disease was introduced to North America in the early 1900’s. Scientists have sought to restore the ecology and utility of this tree species by adding resistance through genetic engineering. For the backstory listen to Episode 9 (2015) of this podcast series. This week’s interview is with graduate student Erik Carlson. Erik recently published a paper in Molecular Plant Pathology that describes a new regulatory control of the gene that confers resistance to Chestnut Blight. We discuss the background of the project, where the project stands, and the regulatory environment of repatriating a forest with engineered trees.

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Cameron English: Is Biotechnology Just New Colonialism?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 05:00:25 +0000

Two unusually parallel articles emerged this week, both claiming that modern ag technology (as they say, “GMO”) is just another arm of colonial control of the Developing World. Both wordy, yet visible articles stoked remarkably common themes, without evidence, just opinion. Sadly, one of these was published in Scientific American, a popular magazine that continues to decline due to its injection of ideology in its opinion pieces that run counter to the scientific consensus. Cameron English is a journalist, the Director of Biosciences with the American Council for Science and Health. This week he wrote two stories this week, discussing these articles. In this episode of Talking Biotech Podcast we discuss the two articles, the decline of Scientific American, and how this new rhetoric is anti-biotech’s most recent salvo to stop technology from positively affecting the lives of the food insecure in the Developing World.

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Wine Flavor: Merging Grape and Yeast Genomes

Colabra — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 13:16:57 +0000

Wine is a fermented beverage that has been enjoyed for millennia. While many may feel that the grapes used produce the flavors in the wine, a substantial contribution comes from the yeast and specialized bacteria that performs feats of biochemistry on the components lent by the grape itself. It is the merging of microbial and grape metabolism that provides each bottle with its distinct qualities. In this episode we speak with Dr. Sakkie Pretorius from Macquarie University. He has enjoyed a long career as an expert at understanding how wine flavor is derived. In this episode we discuss how the metabolism of microbes and grapes contribute to wine flavors, as well as the future of biotechnology in shaping wine flavors. With co-host Emily Haile.

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Cindy’s Gift to End Glioblastoma

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 05:00:57 +0000

At the early age of 47 Cindy Lee Graham lost her battle with glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is an insidious cancer of the brain and central nervous system that slowly robs its victims of critical faculties, with a very low survival rate. This tragic loss is punctuated with an amazing gift of kindness, as Cindy and her husband Dr. Thomas Graham coordinated with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Sheila Singh to donate Cindy’s brain to cancer research. This unique gift provides an amazing resource that allows researchers to study the real-time evolution of glioblastoma cells, and understand how to eventually find their vulnerabilities. In the second half, Dr. Thomas Graham shares the story of Cindy’s illness, and the research and scholarship funds that have been established in her honor.

Please consider donating at cindysgift.com

Twitter: @Cindy_GBM_Fund @sheilasinghlab

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Gender Equity in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Colabra — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:00:17 +0000

The executive ranks of the pharmaceutical industry are populated with a clear over representation of older males. How did we get here, and how is the leadership in industry changing to seek qualified, yet diverse executives? This week the Talking Biotech Podcast features Kimberly Gentile, Senior Vice President of Clinical Research at Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. She shares her experiences as a woman in the upper echelons of the pharmaceutical industry, and describes how we got to where we are, and how we’ll move forward with more sensitivity to a diverse and equitable workplace.

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals on Twitter: @BiohavenPharma

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The Challenges of Growing Plants in Space

Colabra — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 00:39:21 +0000

Sustained space travel and colonization will depend on the ability to grow food in extra-terrestrial environments. The fact that plants evolved on earth with cues from gravity, photoperiod, barometric pressure and other signals means that plants growing on space stations or other planets will face unique stresses, never previously encountered. Add to this the challenges of watering plants in microgravity, a dependence on artificial lighting, and limited access to crop protection and fertilization strategies, and the ability to produce crops in space is a realistic limiter of long-term human colonization of space. Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul has studied plant biology in space and in extreme earth environments to learn about how plants adapt to these challenges, and even how humans might have to adapt to care for them.

Twitter: @UF_Space_Plants
Dr. Paul in other media:

* UF Space Plants Lab: https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/spaceplantslab/
* TEDxUF speaker, April 6th, 2019 – “Humans are explorers––go boldly”
* Women in Science Instagram story for Friday, Feb. 9th, 2018, ahead of the UN’s Women and Girls in Science Day. : https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/962796712241672192
* NPR Science Friday. For premier of “The Martian”; how real space plant biology is getting us closer to the goal of other planets https://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/plants-in-space/

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Tiredness: Time for DNA Repair!

Colabra — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 14:27:56 +0000

We all know the feeling of tiredness, but what causes the urge to sleep? Prof. Lior Appelbaum discusses the link between sleepiness and DNA damage, as sensed through the accumulation of a protein known as PARP1. PARP1 is well known for its roles in DNA repair. Prof. Appelbaum’s team has examined PARP1 accumulation in animal models and shown strong evidence that the desire to sleep is triggered by DNA damage, and the desire to sleep involves action by PARP1. The conclusion is that tiredness should not be ignored, as it is a signal that there is some DNA damage to be corrected, and may play a role in long-term brain health.

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Reprogramming T-Cells for Immunotherapies

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 05:00:26 +0000

T Cells are the body’snatural defenders against pathogens. In the past they have been reprogrammed to recognize specific surface antigens of cancer cells to attack and destroy them. The approach has worked well against a variety of cancers. The limitation is that they addition of genetic material is limited by transfer techniques. This episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast discusses the new approach with Dr. Ken Drazan of Arsenal Bio. They have devised a strategy to place genetic material into T-cells from an afflicted patient that can now work against the disease in question. The approach uses gene editing, adding genetic material to T cells that allows them to recognize specific antigens, such as those associated with ovarian cancer.

Follow on Twittter: @ArsenalBio

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Breeding Future Olives

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 05:00:43 +0000

Olives have a prominent role in the production of aromatic healthy culinary oils and brined olives for the table. Olive oil production occurs worldwide on old-growth orchards that are subject to a number of modern production challenges. Disease, pests, climate change and other issues threaten sustainable production. Today’s guest is Prof. Lorenzo Leon, an olive breeder from IFAPA in Cordoba, Spain. He has taken on the mantle of creating the next generation of superior olive cultivars. We discuss the challenges of olive breeding, the protracted timeline, and the fact that his crosses today may result in something in the field decades down the road. We discuss modern genetic tools and their implementation. The discussion is a great appreciation of plant breeders, their important job, and the challenges they face.

Follow Dr. Leon on Twitter: @OliveBreeding

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Insulin from Synthetic Biology

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 04:58:43 +0000

Thirty million Americans depend on daily doses of insulin to stay alive. This small protein hormone is responsible for the regulation of blood sugar, and plays a key role in all aspects of physiology, as well as long-term effects on health. Despite its importance, the vast majority of insulin is produced off shore, leaving it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions that could be hazardous for many Americans. Domestic production is hindered by a variety of barriers, from production to regulatory. Cameron Owen is the CEO and Co-Founder of rBIO, and they are using a specially designed E. coli bacterium that focuses strictly on insulin production. This streamlining of the process around bacteria that commit the majority of resources into insulin production leads to minimizing side reactions and higher yields of the desired product. Making the production process more efficient means that this critical hormone may be produced at a lower price and without fear of supply chain production.

Follow rBIO on twitter at @rBio_pharma

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What We Can Learn from Ancient DNA

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 00:00:03 +0000

How can analysis of DNA isolated from old, preserved organisms, bones, or tissues tell us about life today? Dr. Beth Shapio is a professor at the University of California Santa Cruz and an HHMI Investigator. She has studied the genomic information from ancient preserved sources to describe events and adaptations that underlie species evolution. In this episode we discuss the technology behind isolating ancient DNA, its utility in resolving evolutionary lineages, and understanding traits in populations and their relationships to their environment. We conclude with a discussion of gene editing ethics and application to conservation biology.

Follow Dr. Shapiro on Twitter at @BonesAndBugs

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Integrated Molecular Strategies in Combating Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 02:04:28 +0000

New strategies in gene therapy are integrating multiple modern techniques to take on contemporary challenging diseases, such as solid-tumor cancers. Dr. Eric Ostertag of Poseida Therapeutics describes their transposon-based gene therapies that deliver useful gene replacements through biodegradable, tissue-targeted nanoparticles. This contrasts against the older gene therapy technologies that relied on viral delivery. In addition, Poseida offers new approaches in CAR-T cell therapies, genetic adjustment of native immune cells to target cancers. These One-time treatments appear to be promising in treating a variety of cancers using innovative strategies.

Posieda Therapeutics Website

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Genetic Counseling in the Biotech Era

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 18:51:54 +0000

Genetic counselors play a critical role from pre-natal guidance to lifelong expertise in managing genetically-based disorders. With the tools of rapid sequencing and computational biology, the genetic counselor has new tools to predict genetic disorders and advise symptom management. Today’s guest is Pilar Magoulas, a Certified Genetic Counselor from Texas Children’s Hospital. She has won awards for her expertise in genetic counseling. We discuss the traditional roles of genetic counselors, how new technology aids in her work, and what the future holds for those interested in this growing career area.

Baylor School of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program

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Rediscovery of New Cancer Drugs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 19:42:23 +0000

Drug pipelines are thick with novel compounds that may have an effect on our most insidious diseases. However, most either fail early trials or are withdrawn because companies don’t see the return on investment of driving them forward. These shelved compounds still may have important roles in treating orphan diseases. The Children’s Tumor Foundation identifies these compounds lost to corporate expectations and re-analyzes them for therapeutic potential for other indications. Dr. Annette Bakker describes the process, the potential and the promise of compounds already identified in this partnership with pharmaceutical companies– testing their throwaways for new applications.

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Evidence that Modern Birds are Dinosaurs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 10:54:57 +0000

The classical assumption was that the modern dinosaur lineage led directly to today’s reptiles. However, a growing suite of evidence has shown that modern birds more closely emulate prehistoric creatures. Today’s guests are Profs Alexander Vargas (University of Chile) and Joao Bothelo (Catholic University of Chile). Their work on comparative anatomy in embryos has unveiled additional similarities between birds and dinosaurs, and pharmacological and molecular evidence has shown that chicken embryos can be affected to present subtle dinosaur-like traits. Their work provides additional evidence that modern birds are actually modern avian dinosaurs.

Here’s a link to the EU Commission’s public comment website.

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Debunking Jeffrey Smith

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 00:00:45 +0000

We must be dedicated to fighting back against false information in food and medicine. Jeffery Smith is a personality with no scientific training that has used disinformation to taint an important public discussion on biotechnology for over 25 years. One of the ways he does this is to hijack legitimate scientific venues, making them think he conveys actual information. He then uses their media to push his false information that ultimately affects the public trust in food, farming and medicine. Last week Smith was a guest on the Finding Genius Podcast, a podcast that features some excellent discussions with actual researchers. Smith and others like him have targeted science podcasts to promote their non-scientific ideas, using established scientific conduits to promulgate false claims. The point of this podcast is: 1. Illuminate how Smith propagates false information with uncited generalities, misrepresentation of actual science and innuendo. 2. Demonstrate how he (and folks like him) exploit credulous podcast/media hosts to gain an audience that may be unfamiliar with their misrepresentation of science and to promote their books/websites/documentaries. 3. To show how a reasonable podcast can fall prey to those that push false claims for agenda, politics and profits.

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Influencing a Conversation with a #ScienceHug

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:09:22 +0000

In this week of technical failures and personal challenges, this week’s podcast investigates the merits of civil conversation. In an angry online environment, can we use the tools of trust building, listening, and empathy to build trust and have greater influence? I discuss my current circumstances and the status of the social media discussion of vaccine hesitancy and genetic engineering. Can we influence the acceptance of good technology with a soft touch? Can we win more hearts and minds with kindness than with data? This is a very important episode I hope you’ll find illuminating.

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Relax and Enjoy Your Food

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 05:00:13 +0000

There is no such thing as bad food, it is just bad diets, so says Craig Good. Various life events caused him to rethink his relationship with food, and a keen skepticism led him to carefully evaluate the mistakes we make, the myths we accept, and the potential reasons we have an epidemic of diet-related illness and an internet packed with fad diets. The punchline is common sense, but comes after a discussion of food facts, psychology, and a prescription for healthy eating.

Follow Craig on Twitter (good follow)
Relax and Enjoy Your Food Website
Relax and Enjoy Your Food Trailer

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Misinformation and GMOs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 05:00:36 +0000

How does misinformation about genetically engineered crops (GMOs) start and how do we correct it? These are questions asked by Prof. Robert Bird of the University of Connecticut. Prof. Bird discusses how an errant article can become the basis of misinformation spread, and how communicators can help push back against misinformation.

Sign up for the online class here.

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Glyphosate Residues and Dietary Exposure

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 05:00:32 +0000

The herbicide glyphosate has been used for decades, with increased use paralleling the adoption of genetically engineered crops. The compound has a strong safety record and international regulatory consensus stating no unique health risks when used as directed. However, claims of cancer risk have increased in social media and websites, despite only cursory and/or circumstantial evidence of any actual causality. Juries have supported class-action lawsuits with substantial payouts based on cancer claims.

The claims hold no weight if there is no exposure, and anti-glyphosate groups know this. Over the past decade there have been regular reports of finding glyphosate in beer, wine, hair, cereal, crackers and dozens of other products– with the implication that its presence is a cancer risk. However, there are two problems. First, most were performed with methods that could not be used for legitimate detection, and second, levels detected were extremely low, well below any levels that would constitute a health risk.

A recent published peer-reviewed scholarly review by a team from an expert team from Bayer CropSciences compiled all of the claims, peer-reviewed and otherwise, and analyzed their methods. The synthesis is that many reports use methods that may not be extended to the specific analysis, they report insufficient results, or have legitimate detection with low amounts found that do not constitute a health risk.

Here is a link to the review

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Florida’s COVID Response / Long COVID

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 05:00:48 +0000

Today’s podcast features two interviews about COVID19. The first is an interview with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. Commissioner Fried has been an outspoken critic of the state’s handling of the pandemic, she pulls no punches about the errors in policy, and discusses her efforts and vision for a COVID-free future. In the second half Brady Holmer discusses long COVID. As the pandemic continues unfortunate patterns are emerging with regard to chronic cognitive, pulmonary, cardiac and other effects of the SARS-CoV2 infection. These two interviews will help you evaluate the realistic risks of the pandemic and share important public health information with others.

On Twitter:
Commissioner Nikki Fried : @nikkifried
and Brady Holmer : @bradyholmer

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Early Cancer Detection with Liquid Biopsy

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 05:00:01 +0000

Many cancers are much more curable if detected early. However, the current suite of detection methods are slow, expensive and can’t detect a problem until it is advanced. Dr. Steven Quake of the Chan-Zukerberg Biohub is working with a group to perfect the liquid biopsy. Using just a patient’s blood, the test strive to identify cell-free RNA and /or DNA that often is shed into the bloodstream from solid tumors. Detection of such molecules may help diagnosticians identify cellular transformation events before symptoms ever are experienced. The relatively inexpensive and non-invasive test will likely be a central part of every annual physical, as it can detect problems long before they become problematic.

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Last Minute Guests!

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 05:00:57 +0000

Yay for gremlins! Technical difficulties precluded the planned podcast, but that didn’t stop two good interviews from materializing a the last minute. Cameron Siggs is an attorney in south Florida. He came into a conversation in a Whole Foods Market that demonstrated the power of engagement and kind dialogue. In the second half we visit with registered dietitian Leah McGrath about farmers markets, seasonal produce and strange consumer expectations. Two great interviews with excellent information and ways to think about communicating our science.

Follow Leah McGrath on Twitter : @LeahMcGrathRD
The article about farmers markets in the Cook’s Cook

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Activating Suites of Plant Genes with Cas9

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 05:00:07 +0000

The role of Cas9 as an editing/deletion nuclease has been well established, but can it be used to turn genes on? Dr. Yiping Qi of the University of Maryland has developed a system where Cas9’s specificity is used to recruit gene expression activation factors to plant promoters. The approach allows activation of sets of genes associated with disease resistance or other useful plant traits.

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COVID19 Detection in Masks and Wearables

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 05:00:20 +0000

COVID19 is the spectrum of pathologies caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. While the pandemic moves well into its second year, the importance of detection in populations cannot be overstated. However, testing methods typically include visiting testing centers, and it is hard to find a test that is both rapid and precise. Dr. Peter Ngyuen is a scientist with the Wyss Institute that has designed wearable sensors to detect specific viruses. We talk about the amazing synthetic biology technology and how it is now being applied to face masks that can detect the presence of the virus in the breath of someone wearing the mask. The rapid detection can help guide behavior as well as provide an early detection to potentially seek medical care to minimize long-term health implications.

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Virus Resistant Cassava in Kenya

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 05:00:29 +0000

Cassava is a staple for one in ten people on earth, grown mostly by small famers tending a few acres. One of the challenges is insect-vectored virus Cassava Brown-Streak Virus that destroys the root. Scientists from Africa and the Danforth Center in St. Louis MO, USA have collaborated to create a cassava line that is genetically engineered to suppress the virus. The approach is similar to what was done to save the papaya in Hawaii, essentially using a portion of the virus sequence to shut down viral infection. In this week’s podcast Dr. Douglas Miano, Professor at the University of Nairobi, describes the problem and the solution. as well as how the technology may serve farmers in Kenya and the entire African continent.

KARLO Website
CassavaPlus Website

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Revisiting Huber’s Claims

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 05:00:11 +0000

He jet-sets around the planet and writes letters to government officials, brandishing academic and military credentials. He speaks with authority as an affiliate of a land-grant university. His claims rattle audiences and frighten regulators in the Developing World. Dr. Don M. Huber is a Professor Emeritus at Purdue University. Over the last decade he has taken the point to denigrate agricultural biotechnology and its associated chemistries. Many of his fantastical claims are patently false, such as his discovery of a new life form that was thriving on Roundup herbicide and causing disease in humans, animals and plants. When challenged, he attacks his critics, even resorting to false claims to their employers to silence them. Still he circles the globe in a Quixotic attempt to end implementation of useful technology. What is the motivation? Why does it continue? Today’s episode analyzes the claims and outcomes with Rob Wager, retired faculty member of Vancouver Island University in Naniamo, Britsh Columbia. Rob has been a remarkable voice in identifying false information and helping correct it, with expertise in the literature and the personalities that push false information agendas.

Follow Rob Wager on Twitter: @RobertWager1
Link to Huber’s talk at Plant Animal Genome Conference 2019 (from PAG website; I’m on Page 10).
Link to his complaint letter to my employer (available via public records request)

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Good Science Information vs Disinformation Feedback Loops

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

The Genetic Literacy Project is a popular science news website. A diverse set of articles and viewpoints are presented, with original articles and news aggregated from the internet. Over the last decade the website as been accused of simply being a “front” for the seed industry, even though there is no such tie to these businesses. Such accusations are levied by websites and NGOs that reject the science presented. A recent expose’ in the Genetic Literacy Project analyzed the organizations and their funding. It turns out that the organizations that criticize the science have intricate direct links to each other, as well as to law firms that have associations with Scientology. The take home message is that the disinformation these groups present is echoed by the other related “disinformation feedback loops” multiple presentations in the media that appear to be independent, but are all part of a connected and intricate scheme to tarnish the perception of actual scientific information, the scientists that produce it, and the outlets that present it.

Jon Entine on Twitter: @JonEntine
Genetic Literacy Project Website
Genetic Literacy Project on Twitter: @GeneticLiteracy
A link to the original story here.

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Smart People, Bad Food Choices

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 05:00:58 +0000

Jack Bobo has been studying food, farming and the associated psychology for decades, asking questions about the choices people make around food. His recent book Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices addresses the psychology of value, risk and food choice.

Follow Jack Bobo on Twitter : @Jack_A_Bobo
Futurity website here.

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Turning Plastic Waste Into Vanilla

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 05:00:16 +0000

We have two major problems. Vanilla is mostly produced in a narrow set of unstable economies and the supply chains are especially vulnerable. There is massive demand for vanilla flavoring. The other major problem is plastic bottles. Plastic waste from PET bottles creates a massive environmental hazard, and is purely unsustainable. What if those bottles could be used as a substrate to produce useful compounds, like vanilla flavoring? Dr. Joanna Sadler asked that exact question and using the tricks of synthetic biology installed the enzymatic steps to convert PET bottles into vanillin, the central compound of vanilla flavoring. A genetically engineered strain of E. coli efficiently converts trash into treasure, and is a great harbinger for the future of synthetic biology in waste remediation.
Follow Dr. Sadler on Twitter: @JoSadler10

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Evidence of Widespread Gene Transfer

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 05:00:21 +0000

Analysis of massive genomic DNA sequence data indicates that gene transfer between similar species actually happened, and did so at a surprising rate. Today’s podcast with Dr. Luke Dunning of University of Sheffield discusses his recent findings that indicate grasses are sharing genes with each other. It is an interesting discussion about horizontal gene transfer, from its mechanism, to its outcomes, to its effect on genetic variation and evolution.

Follow Dr. Dunning on Twitter
Dunning Lab website

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Widespread GMOs in Nature

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 May 2021 05:00:34 +0000

One of the major objections to genetic engineering is that a DNA segment is transferred to the crop, and lands in a somewhat random location. That’s because genetic engineering largely uses Agrobacterium to perform the genetic exchange. But Agrobacterium came from nature, and there is significant evidence that DNA transfer events have been happening for thousands to millions of years. Dr. Leon Otten has been studying Agrobacterium for decades, and now is identifying recent evidence that the bacterium has littered the plant world with random DNA insertion events. It is likely that these events had important roles in plant evolution, potentially around agronomically important traits. We discuss this natural phenomenon and how it may change the dialog on genetic engineering and regulation.

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Debunking the Disinformation Dozen

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 May 2021 05:00:37 +0000

Dr. Dan Wilson is a rising star of science communication. His popular YouTube channel Debunk the Funk provides entertaining and evidence-based dissection of issues around science, vaccination and COVID19. In this issue of the Talking Biotech Podcast we discuss science communication, his motivations, and the recent dissection of the Disinformation Dozen. We cover recent vaccine disinformation as well as the role of universities and younger scientists in science communication.

Follow Debunk the Funk on YouTube here.
Follow Dr. Dan Wilson on Twitter here.

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Peptoids as Therapeutic Tools

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 May 2021 05:00:06 +0000

Peptides have increasingly emerging roles in cellular signaling and anti-microbial applications. Peptioids are cousins of their active peptide analogs, only synthesized with a durable bond that helps the molecule evade cellular turnover mechanisms. Dr. Gill Diamond of the University of Louisville discusses the chemistry of peptoids and their applications as anti-virals, including targeting SARS-CoV2. The pipeline of new compounds is discussed with a myriad of potential application in human disease. Dr. Diamond also serves on as a scientific advisor to Maxwell Biosciences.

Maxwell Biosciences on Twitter

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Kleptoplasty and a Solar-Powered Animal

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 May 2021 05:00:52 +0000

A solar-powered animal? There are species of sea slugs that consume algae, then integrate the chloroplasts into their own digestive cells. There they function to fix carbon and essentially power the organism. This phenomenon is known as kelptoplasty- stealing the autotrophic capacities of one organism for the slug’s benefit. This week’s podcast is a conversation with Dr. Sonia Cruz, a Principal Researcher at the University of Averio. Her work seeks to unravel many of the intriguing questions about this unusual relationship between photosynthesis and animals.

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Methylation Clocks, Aging and Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 May 2021 05:00:35 +0000

The basis of aging and long-term degenerative disease have been formidable questions for scientists. Over the last decade several “methylation clocks” have been devised to examine modifications of DNA that match well with developmental state and disease presentation. Dr. Ekaterina Rogaeva from the University of Toronto studies methylation clocks, especially as they associate with specific neurodegenerative diseases. The discoveries in this discipline delineate diagnostic patterns of epigenetic changes that could be critical in disease prediction and treatment, as well as monitoring overall health.

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The GalSafe Pig and Xenotransplantation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 05:00:55 +0000

Last week’s episode covered Alpha Gal Syndrome, the tick-induced allergy to beef and pork. The same immunological response could also limit a recipient’s access to xenography or xenotransplantation, that is, the introduction of pig and cow tissues and organs for human benefit. From valves to tendons to organs, the use of non-human animal parts is becoming increasingly common, but so is the instance of immune response to them due to a response to alpha gal. Today’s guest is Dr. John Bianchi, VP of Product Development at Revivicor. Revivicor has developed the GalSafe Pig, a genetic engineering step that eliminates the production of Alpha-Gal, making organs compatible with sensitive recipients. While solving the key problem of xenographic transplants and tissue donation, the pork may also be consumed without incident. Again science rises to solve an important problem.

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Alpha Gal Syndrome

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 05:00:15 +0000

You find a tick on your skin and remove it. The next day you eat a sausage and wind up in the emergency room in anaphylaxis. After that, you can’t eat beef or pork without experiencing an intense allergic reaction. This is alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy induced by the saliva of ticks bearing a simple oligosaccharide (compound sugar), and the body mounts an immune response against it. The same oligosaccharide is also found in beef and pork. This strange condition is becoming increasingly more common. Dr. Jeffery Wilson is a physician at the University of Virginia who studies alpha-gal syndrome. We discuss this strange disorder, and consider strategies to solve it that will be discussed in the next episode.

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Bioluminescence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Science Communication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:43:29 +0000

Today’s podcast is an interview with New Zealander of the Year Dr. Siouxsie Wiles. Dr. Wiles’ program uses bioluminesence as a marker to follow bacterial growth and disease progression. Her work seeks to identify new antimicrobial compounds. However, Dr. Wiles has become a go-to person in the discussion of COVID19, and has led public discourse on the realities of the pandemic. Her written work, video and cartoons around COVID19 have contributed to New Zealand’s low incidence rate, and world leadership in how to handle a pandemic. We discuss her work and efforts in science communication.

Follow Dr. Wiles on Twitter: @SiouxsieW
Her website is here
Some of the COVID19 cartoons with Toby Myers can be seen here.
Dr. Wiles TEDx Talk.

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Identifying Rare Compounds with A.I.

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 05:00:18 +0000

While genomics approaches have opened a universe of new compounds in plants, the vast majority remain uncharacterized. Brightseed has employed an artificial intelligence platform to scan for novel compounds, with a goal to identify new chemicals that may play a role in human health. Today’s podcast features Dr. Jim Flatt, CEO and Co-Founder of Brightseed. He discusses the company’s pilot products and the pipeline of compounds that may enhance human health.

www.brightseedbio.com

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Your DNA Sequence, Benefits and Risks

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 23:31:03 +0000

Your DNA contains all of the information that makes you, you. With increasing understanding of the genetic basis of disease, the information in every cell may help anticipate, correct, or otherwise treat latent medical issues. The good news is that the cost of obtaining your personal DNA sequence is now less than the cost of a couple of concert tickets. At the same time, how is that information safeguarded? Who has access to it? Can it be used to exclude you from insurance coverage or open the door to genetic discrimination? Today’s guests are the CEO and CSO of Nebula Genomics. CEO Kamal Obbad and CSO Dennis Grishin share their insights into the benefits of personalized sequencing, along with a discussion of how they mitigate risk of malicious dissemination and/or use of genetic data.

Follow Nebula Genomics on Twitter.
Follow Kamal Obbad on Twitter.
Follow Dennis Grishin on Twitter.
Here is the website for Nebula Genomics.

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Combating Vaccine Hesitancy

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 11:13:31 +0000

The COVID19 vaccines were produced in record time, an amazing feat. However, additional challenges have been revealed in their distribution. Perhaps the most formidable barrier is the very last one– executing the vaccination. For years anti-vaccination groups have soiled the internet and public discourse with false or exaggerated claims of vaccine dangers. They have appealed to the emotional weak spots of concerned parents and the conspiratorial leanings of fringe science and politics to forward their crooked cause. Dr. Rahul Gupta is the Chief Medical and Health Officer of March of Dimes, and organization with a commitment to child and mother health that started when the scourge of polio ravaged so many. We discuss the problem of vaccine hesitancy and philosophies to change hearts and minds over emotional influence.

March of Dimes website: www.marchofdimes.org/
Dr. Rahul Gupta: DrGuptaMD
March of Dimes: MODTwitter

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Misinformation vs. An Honest Conversation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 05:00:49 +0000

This week’s podcast is a dissection of another popular podcast that features self-proclaimed experts in genetic engineering (familiarly GMO), and the falsehoods they propagate. Podcasts are great conduits to spread scientific information, but non-scientific views thrive also. It is amazing to listen to the bad information, and the participants’ willing acceptance and amplification that goes unchallenged. The episode is not mentioned by name, nor are the participants. This is not a personal criticism. I present a point-by-point refutation of their claims to show how misinformation is propagated inside echo chambers, and the lack of critical analysis that is undertaken. It is unfortunate, because the folks in this podcast likely have the best intentions at heart, they just don’t know anything about the topic they criticize. They then use a healthy pipeline to provide false information that confirms the biases of their audience. This is why we can’t have nice things.

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An App to Identify On-Target Gene Editing Variation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 05:00:45 +0000

At its core, gene editing works to break gene function by creating errors in a DNA sequence at a specific location. The process works by creating a precise cut that is repaired by the cell’s repair mechanisms, and those processes can be error prone. Those errors are the basis of the gene’s disruption. But in a population of cells, how do you account for and catalog all of the changes? Kevin Bloh is a research associate and a Ph.D. student with Christiana Care / University of Delaware. He describes computational tool that help define the variation around gene edited sites. The new tools help refine cells possibly destined for research or therapeutic applications.

DECODR software link. www.decordr.org

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COVID19 Testing and Personal Cancer Screenings

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 12:33:38 +0000

One of the major failures of addressing the COVID19 pandemic is the breakdown of testing. The NFL and White House were able to maintain business as usual because of daily, accurate testing. When the disease is detected, its spread can be controlled. Jo Bhakdi of Quantgene talks about testing and how his company has scaled up testing solutions to at least apply them commercially to businesses wishing to maintain operations and protect their employees. We talk about testing and how it may be scaled to a national level. In the second half we talk about early cancer detection in a blood draw, an exciting possibility that would save lives and money through the earliest possible detection of several major cancers.

Website: https://chooseserenity.com/covid
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SameDayCOVIDTestinghttps://www.instagram.com/choose_serenity/https://twitter.com/quantgene
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choose_serenity/
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/choose_serenity/https://twitter.com/quantgene

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Greenpeace Beginnings, and Golden Rice

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:55:50 +0000

Dr. Patrick Moore was a founding member of Greenpeace. In the years past its inception he worked tirelessly on ecological issues. Over time, he saw the group’s positions as less than scientific, leading to his defection. Soon after he became a leading advocate for the deployment of Golden Rice, the pro-Vitamin A rice that was invented to alleviate blindness and illness caused by a missing micronutrient in the Developing World. We discuss his roots, his efforts for Golden Rice, and conclude with his new book which addresses his controversial stance on climate change.

Follow Dr. Moore on Twitter: @EcoSenseNow
Golden Rice Project: www.goldenrice.org
The link to his new book

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New Technology to Save Bananas

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 05:00:51 +0000

Bananas and other tropical crops have tremendous value, not just to farmers in the Developing World, but also as products that are enjoyed widely in highly industrialized nations. However, crops like bananas and coffee are threatened by pathogens that could severely curtail cultivation and availability. Tropic Biosciences is taking on these problems using a unique approach– using gene editing to adjust genetics in a way that attacks the pathogen without consequence in the original plant itself. Dr. Eyal Maori is the Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Tropic Biosciences, and discusses the problem and their innovative approach.

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Gene Editing and Recovery from Radiation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 05:00:18 +0000

Radiation is a natural energy that constantly bombards us. At the same time we have harnessed its power for medical imaging, therapeutics, energy and warfare. Collateral damage from radiation exposure, even in critical therapeutic contexts, can have profound effects on cellular health and ultimately survival. Dr. Fyodor Urnov of the University of Berkeley and the Innovative Genomics Institute is part of a team seeking to use gene editing as molecular medicine to speed recovery from radiation damage. The concept is to identify the genes that play a role in recovery, and then use gene editing strategies to temporarily excite them. The goal is to produce ways to recover from acute radiation sickness and exposure, which can have profound effects from radiotherapy to space travel.
Follow Dr. Urnov on Twitter: @UrnovFyodor

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SARS-CoV2: Immune Response and RNA Vaccines

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 05:00:32 +0000

The story of biotechnology’s response to the pandemic is an amazing one, and we continue coverage of these events as they arise. Today guest host Dr. Asha Brunings speaks with virus and immunology expert Dr. Brianne Baker. They discuss various topics of immunology with respect to the virus, discussing the new variants, the new vaccines, and a deep dive in to the mechanisms of immunity to the COVID19 symptom spectrum.

Follow Dr. Barker ; @BioProfBarker
Follow Dr. Brunings: @AshaBrunings
And Dr. Barker is a co-host of the podcast This Week in Virology

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Amazing Products from Algae

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 05:00:38 +0000

Algae efficiently convert carbon dioxide into oils, and they are now being bred to generate a suite of compounds that may be synthesized into fuel and polymers that are the basis of biodegradable plastics. Dr. Steve Mayfield is a Professor at the University of California San Diego, and the Director of the California Center for Algal Biotechnology. His work with algae shows how this rapidly growing photosynthetic organism can generate everything from fuels to plastics, from gasoline to surfboards to veggie burgers. Future plastics from algae promise to be biodegradable, curtailing the tremendous problem of plastic pollution.

Dr. Mayfield’s Website Here

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Targeting Cancers with Gene Editing

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 05:00:44 +0000

Certain aggressive cancers have profound effects on lifespan and quality of life. Patient prognosis can be grim, and therapies are harsh. Dr. Dan Peer of the University of Tel Aviv leads a group that has targeted gliomas and ovarian cancer with gene editing. Specifically, lipid nanoparticles are produced that target cancer cells, and introduce gene editing hardware that specifically inactivates genes required for cell division. The breakdown in proliferation impedes the cells’ growth. In animal models this single-treatment approach has shown benefit in increasing lifespan and presumably quality of life. We discuss the details of the technology and its potential translation to humans.

Peer Lab Website
Follow on Twitter: Peer_Lab

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GE Crops: What do Consumers Really Think?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 11:48:34 +0000

Consumers have many opinions about food, and are continually bombarded by information from manufacturers to self-proclaimed experts. To gauge what they really think economists formulate approaches to learn what they are thinking and how they might behave in a purchasing scenario. Dr. Stuart Smyth has studied the interface between consumers and agricultural biotechnology. In this episode he presents the work from his group’s recent publication that discusses how consumers ultimately feel about purchasing products with ingredients from GE crops.

Dr. Smyth’s website for SAIFood
Follow him on Twitter @stuartsmyth66

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2020 Science Stories

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 15:18:49 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic overshadowed an incredible year of innovation in biotechnology. Today’s podcast is a simulcast between the Science Facts and Fallacies with Cameron English and Talking Biotech. We discuss six science stories that were true highlights of an incredible year in science, along with stories that help us understand the state of the science/society interface.

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Immune Response to COVID19 and its Vaccines

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 08:48:45 +0000

The COVID19 vaccines have the potential to squelch a dangerous pandemic. However, the public has many questions about their safety and efficacy that could limit their broad administration. Some of the questions concern the immune system, how it is affected by the vaccine, why two doses are necessary, and if the response is durable. Today’s podcast interviews Dr. Asha Brunings about the immunology of the COVID vaccine and the disease itself.

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mRNA Vaccine Mechanism, Safety, Communication

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 18:36:00 +0000

Two mRNA vaccines have been approved to lead the fight against COVID19. Both have been rapidly approved with Emergency Use Authorization, which does not build public trust. Ultimately compelling the vaccine hesitant to receive the vaccination may be the most significant hurdle in the process. The science is complete, now the challenge is public acceptance. Today’s podcast is more detail on the vaccine, how it works, and the reasons for hesitancy. The New England Journal of Medicine published clinical trials are described as well, along with strategies for effective communication.
With Allison Kennedy and Dr. Asha Brunings

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Apple Domestication and Variation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 05:00:48 +0000

Apples seem rather ubiqutous, but what we see in the stores are just a sample of the genetic diversity that is out there. Today’s podcast discusses apple domestication and diversification with Dr. Norm Weeden. its early history and radiation are discussed. as well as an understanding of its genomics and genetics.

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The Ag Innovation Ecosystem

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 05:00:51 +0000

Despite its essential role in the economy and food security, agriculture has lagged behind with respect to adoption of new technology. This has happened for many reasons, partially from technology companies not realizing the opportunities in agriculture, and partially from high costs, and agriculture’s adherence to current practices. Dr. Adrian Percy has been a leader in agricultural reserach innovation and venture capital. We discuss the opportunities in agriculture and the limitations to successful deployment in the newest innovation.

Follow Dr. Percy on Twitter: @adrianpercy
His podcast is here: AgTech360 on iTunes
Follow on Twitter: AgTech360 @AgTech360

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What is an mRNA Vaccine?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:12:55 +0000

mRNA vaccines have recently been in the news as an exciting potential preventative of SARS-CoV2. The technology seems new, but has roots in the 1990’s and a long history of maturation, plagued by technical barriers and skepticism. However, the efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials is promising, and suggests that mRNA-based strategies may have a prominent role as vaccines and therapeutics against some of our most insidious diseases.

Resources for this podcast:
Hilleman 1994 – a conceptual review of the potential for mRNA vaccines, predicing many of its challenges.
Kariko et al, 2005 – This paper contains information on how mRNA may be modified to limit its inherent antigenic activity.
Schlake et al., 2012 – A very good primer to the history and theory of mRNA vaccine development.

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Genetic Engineering in Animal Agriculture

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 10:29:54 +0000

Technology is driving innovation on the farm, and there have been significant efforts in improving livestock. Whether it was to produce a novel therapeutic or to solve a critical disease in animals, genetic engineering techniques have been used to target significant animal and human problems. There are many more successful innovations than commercial successes, as the regulatory climate is highly unfavorable to animal recombinant DNA technology. Dr. Mark Westhusin from Texas A&M University has been a leader in application of these tools to animal systems. In this episode we discuss the innovations, the regulations, and some of the solutions to animal agriculture problems worldwide.

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Gene Writing: New Tech to Correct Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 16:19:02 +0000

Gene editing is a relatively new technology that has revolutionary applications in agriculture and medicine. The drawback to the technology is that it typically can only be used to disrupt a deleterious gene underlying a specific trait. Gene writing exploits a natural process in cells that allows researchers to install genes of interest, allowing replacement of damaged sequences that lead to negative health outcomes. Dr. Geoff von Maltzahn of Tessera describes what the new technology is and its most likely applications, particularly in the area of correcting genetic disease.

Twitter: Tessera @TesseraTx
Dr. Geoffrey von Maltzahn; @GVMaltzahn

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Onion Domestication and Improvement

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 05:00:12 +0000

The onion has tremendous value in culinary applications all over the world. Where did it come from? What are the major breeding efforts and the important traits. Today’s podcast discusses the onion’s origin and future directions with Dr. Michael Havey, USDA-ARS/University of Wisconsin onion breeder. He speaks of the onion’s interesting background, its surprising genome, and traits that will define the onion of the future. A very interesting discussion of an important world food crop.

Havey Lab Website

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What are Pumpkins?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 05:00:40 +0000

On Halloween it is hard to remember that the pumpkins used for decoration are actually an important food for indigenous people of the Americas. There are multiple species of pumpkins that originated in North and South America, and primarily used for food. Dr. Harry Paris is a retired Senior Researcher and fruit breeder from the Volcani Center in Israel. We discuss the origins of pumpkins, how they moved in the New World, as well as the diversity and uses for this important fruit.

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The Ethics of Gene Editing

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 05:00:33 +0000

Gene editing moved quickly from the lab to application, so fast that the public is unsure how to think about it. We can cure disease, but are we playing with the natural order of things? These are questions that philosophers and ethicists wrestle with every day. in this week’s podcast we discuss the recent events in germline gene editing and how it is perceived by the public and by scientists.

Follow Dr. Gyngell’s group: @Berg_MCRI

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New Technology Same GMOs : My Commentary

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 09:49:38 +0000

This week two scientists pioneering gene editing won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Days later, a group of perennial naysayers gathered to denounce the technology. Gene editing is a revolutionary technology that already has had amazing effects on medicine and some applications in agriculture. The potential is limitless. But this new technology can install precise changes in genes, emulating natural mutations. They also cannot be detected, at least discernably from naturally-occurring mutations. This threatens the anti-GMO movement and its many tentacles, especially the Non-GMO Project, an organization that profits from brokering fear around safe food. These new technologies will evade their detection, making their meaningless label even more meaningless. The “esteemed panel” is composed of individuals that have been fighting technology for years. I play their roundtable discussion, and provide my commentary in real time, illuminating their deception, their disinformation, and tactics to create fear, uncertainty and doubt around a good technology.

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Vaccines Against Digestive Cancers

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 05:00:07 +0000

Digestive cancers are among the most common and deadly cancers in the world, comprising metastases of the colon, esophagus, stomach and rectum. These all share some cellular commonalities, namely the presentation of a molecular signature that can now be a target for engineered therapies. Dr. Adam Snook has been studying the fingerprints of gastric cancers and developing gene therapy approaches that target cancer cells. He discusses the technology, and describes how it works, and how the technology has changed in response to new findings. Dr. Snook provides a forward-thinking and hopeful view of how this technology may soon provide a needed therapy against common cancers.

Follow Dr. Snook on Twitter: @adamsnookphd
Dr. Snook’s website is here.

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Communicating Ag in an Attention Economy

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:00:02 +0000

Dr. Cami Ryan has examined the social factors that underlie decisions. Today these human tendencies are critical to understand, as everyone is bombarded by information through social media. How do issues like misinformation and disinformation erode the trust of scientific authorities? How do scientists and farmers, the experts, grab a piece of the pie in the new attention economy? Time is a commodity in short supply, and Dr. Ryan provides insight into how we can maximize our time in communicating science.

Follow Dr. Ryan on Twitter: @CamiDRyan
Here’s Cami’s website:

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Drug Targets for HIV

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 15:30:16 +0000

The human immunodeficiency virus remains prevalent in the population, yet it as silently moved out of the public’s consciousness, overshadowed by COVID19 and drug cocktails that can control its progression. Over the last three decades great progress has been made in understanding the virus and how it interacts with cells. This, plus the identification of genetic determinants of resistance to HIV have presented researchers with new drug targets. These may represent future therapies and perhaps cures. Today’s guest is Dr. Luca Vangelista from Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. His research examines a protein receptor called CCR5 that is a critical player in the HIV infection cycle.

Dr. Vangelista’s recent review may be accessed here.
Here is Dr. Vangelista’s website.

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Rapid Detection of Bloodborne Pathogens

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 05:00:15 +0000

Sepsis is an infection of the blood. It can be critical and life threatening, and can complicate other co-morbidities. One of the main problems is that a number of bacterial and fungal pathogens can cause a septic state, so physicians are tasked with rapid identification of specific pathogens to render the most appropriate method of care. Unfortunately this usually involves broad treatments with multiple antibiotics and antifungals, as tests to identify discrete pathogens can take days. Dr. Alon Singer is the CEO of Helixbind. They have developed a new technology that allows rapid detection of bloodborne pathogens, eclipsing many of the barriers that previously led to longer detection times and greater patient risk.

More information at www.helixbind.com

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Plants Engineered to Remove Indoor Air Toxins

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 18:36:00 +0000

Indoor air contains a variety of harmful compounds. We invite many of these compounds into our homes in electronics, and others occur spontaneously from our water supply, and as homes become more energy efficient and dependent on air conditioning, these chemicals concentrate in our homes. Dr. Stuart Strand of the University of Washington explains what they are and their relative risk. He also describes a solution– plants genetically engineered to scrub these molecules from the indoor atmosphere. A variety of plants have been engineered to remove these molecules, including pothos ivy and tobacco, and he is setting his sights on crop plants that could affect the molecules that contribute to climate change.

The work needs additional sponsors. Even a small donation to the University of Washington Foundation can help this research continue.

Look for more details on the Plants Enhanced Facebook page.
You also can donate directly to the program at the University of Washington here.

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Communicating COVID19; Careful with Cancellation

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 13:09:09 +0000

This week’s guest is the host! It was important to discuss communication tips during a pandemic, especially around popular myths and news stories involving COVID19. Kevin Folta provides counterarguments to today’s most prevalent claims around hydroxychloroquine, disease incidence, and the flu shot. It also marks five years since the New York Times story that portrayed Folta as a corporate patsy. While many aspects of his research and communications efforts thrive today, this deliberate act of cancel-culture now diminishes his impact in other arenas, such as discussing COVID19. This is a rallying cry for more scientists and science enthusiasts to engage the public with science communication.

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GE Mosquito Release in Florida

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 05:00:41 +0000

Florida is the canary in the coalmine for mosquito-transmitted disease in the USA. The Florida Keys are especially vulnerable. Traffic through this sensitive string of islands allows infected insects to be rapidly vectored to other areas of the keys, as well as to the mainland. Over the last decade there have been notable incidents of Zika, Chikunguna, Denge and other mosquito-borne diseases. Over the same time a self-limiting mosquito technology has been developed by Oxitec. The mosquitoes have been programmed with genetic changes that render the next generation unable to develop, and it has been extremely successful in Brazil and other locations. The technology is now poised for release in the keys and has received all needed approvals. Today’s podcast speaks with Meredith Fensom, the Head of Global Public Affairs with Oxitec. She discusses the technology, the release in Florida, and its potential risks and benefits.

Here’s Oxitec’s website for the Florida Keys — There are MANY resources here on this page, too much to list. If you have questions you’ll find an answer here. And of course, I’m always glad to answer your questions. - Kevin

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Penguin Genomics and Adaptation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 05:00:19 +0000

Penguins are charismatic, flightless, diving birds. While typically associated only with Antarctica, their center of origin, radiation and speciation has been widely debated. Dr. Juliana Vianna is part of an Antarctica Genomics Group at the Catholic University of Chile. Her team has analyzed the genomes of penguins and compared it against other data, including the fossil record. They have provided new information to inform our understanding of the evolution and distribution of this interesting group of birds.

Follow Dr. Vianna on Twitter here. @Ju_A_Vianna
Link to the paper in PNAS

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The Race to the COVID19 mRNA Vaccine

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 04:15:25 +0000

Most experts agree that the COVID19 pandemic will not end until a vaccine is available. But traditionally, vaccines take a decade to develop and test. The crisis has ignited efforts from over 130 companies, all racing to develop vaccines to render the population immune to the virus. One exciting new development is the mRNA vaccine, a case where humans are injected with the genetic material of the virus, that ignites an immune response. The advantage of these vaccines is that they are easy to manufacture and quick to test. Boston Magazine Senior Editor Catherine Elton has followed the development of these vaccines, particularly from the company Moderna. They moved from RNA sequence to human trials in only 43 days demonstrating the speed by which these new strategies may be employed. We discuss the discoveries and the regulatory hurdles, along with public perception in what appears to be a rapid way to immunize large populations.

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Prions: Infectious Proteins

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 00:00:59 +0000

A number of strange, devastating and lethal diseases are caused by prions. The most famous of these disorders in animals is Bovine Spongiform Encelapathy, or “Mad Cow Disease”. Unlike other infectious agents like viruses, bacteria or fungi, prion-based diseases are caused by a misfolding of proteins resident in the body. Essentially, this is your own chemistry turning against itself. In this week’s podcast I speak with Dr. Cassandra Terry from London Metropolitan University. She speaks about prion related diseases, their causes, and how what is learned from prions has illuminated an understanding of other complex neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson Disease.

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The Bull that (probably) Sires Mostly Bulls

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 10:42:19 +0000

Male cattle (bulls) convert feed calories to weight gain more efficiently than females (cows). If more bulls could be put into beef production, the process would be even more sustainable. Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam and her research team attempted a clever trick to skew the ratio of males to females in cattle offspring. Sex determination in mammals is driven mostly by a single gene on the Y chromosome. So what if this gene was duplicated elsewhere in the genome? Using CRISPR gene editing, this is exactly what they did. “Cosmo” the bull should produce 75% male offspring. Dr. Van Eenennaam talks about the gene, its mechanism of action, the process of editing a bull’s genome, and the regulatory climate around gene-edited beef.

Dr. Van Eenennaam on Twitter: @Biobeef
Dr. Van Eenennaam’s website here.

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The Unfortunate Casualties of an Anti-Biotech Attack

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 12:34:55 +0000

In 2001 the Earth Liberation Front bombed the office of Dr. Toby Bradshaw at the University of Washington. The damage was massive, especially toward non-targeted labs. This is a great story of how misguided activism can have damaging collateral effects, and work against the efforts of scientists that are performing great work for people and a planet.

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Circadian Clocks

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 05:00:08 +0000

Most organisms on earth evolved under constant intervals of light and darkness. The regular intervals led to the evolution of internal clocks that are trained by the light/dark patterns, and condition responses from gene expression to higher physiology and morphology. Dr. Eva Farre of Michigan State University has a notable career in circadian rhythm research in plants. Today she joins the podcast to discuss the value of an internal oscillator to fitness, trait presentation and domestication. We also discuss the fundamental nature of chemistry that controls timing. Co-hosted by Michigan State University graduate student Miles Roberts.

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DNA Demystified

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 05:00:49 +0000

Dr. Alan McHughen has been a leader in biotechnology education for decades, and has served in public academic research as well as an advisor to the State Department in the Obama Administration. He has assembled a book about DNA, the basics of DNA biology and some of the modern applications from ancestry to biotechnological solutions. We have a discussion about the content of DNA Demystified.

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A Science-Based Glyphosate Documentary

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 10:22:16 +0000

The documentary space is littered with videos that misrepresent science, especially around agriculture. Dr. Hidde Boersma is a trained scientist that has taken up the mantle of making high-quality documentary films and other media to tell the real story, without the hyperbole and fear found in most video efforts. The plan now is to tell the story of the activist and attorney assault on glyphosate. Glyphosate is perhaps one of the safest agricultural chemicals, used without incident for over 40 years and reviewed extensively by the world’s foremost regulatory bodies. Since 2014 the compound has been targeted by those wishing to end its use, as well as profit massively from malicious lawsuits that ignore the real science. Dr. Boersma seeks to create a film to tell this story and is soliciting donations to make it happen. Please consider supporting his efforts, as his budget is reasonable and he does a great production with minimal support.

Donate to Make the Film Here.
Visit Sugar Rush Films Here You can contribute directly to the project and see his other excellent work
Dr. Hidde Boersma on Twitter: @Hiddemhigh

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Gene Editing in Species Conservation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 05:00:02 +0000

Analysis of populations of animals can be problematic, especially when individuals of different species share similar visual characteristics. Dr. Melinda Baerwald has developed a field-friendly way to identify individual species with great sensitivity and specificity, without a complicated DNA prep or temperature cycling equipment. The application of the SHERLOCK method was used to monitor populations of endangered species in Northern California. She describes the application of the assay and its application.

Follow Dr. Baerwald on Twitter: @MelindaBaerwald

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COVID19 Update — What is Circular Health?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 18:08:35 +0000

Dr. Ilaria Capua is one of the world’s most prominent virologists, and a Professor at the University of Florida and the Director of the One Health Center of Excellence. In this week’s podcast she updates us on the current state of COVID19 with some important philosophical approaches as to how we should think about the virus. In the second half we discuss her new book, Circular Health, a concept that focuses on the interconnectivity between human actions and outcomes.

Her book is available here.
Follow her on Twitter at @IlariaCapua

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The Dawn of Plant Genetic Engineering

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 04:23:35 +0000

Today’s podcast marks five complete years of podcast episodes, and there’s no better guest than someone on the Mount Rushmore of plant genetic engineering. We’re joined today by Dr. Robb Fraley, who was at ground zero of the first transformed plants. He recalls the race to transform plants, his time as a leader in the Monsanto company, and his vision for the future.

Follow Dr. Fraley on Twitter: @RobbFraley

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What is Aflatoxin? What is Aflasafe?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 04:26:03 +0000

Aflatoxin is a natural poison emitted by several species of fungi. They infect grain, and exploit insect damage. Millions of people are affected by these toxins that invade world food staples, mostly with a higher incidence of specific cancers, like liver cancer. IITA is an organization committed to improving food staples in the developing world. Dr. Ranjit Bandyopadhyay and his team have discovered a fungal species that out-competes the toxic species, and is being distributed under the Aflasafe label. This product has great potential in assisting in food security and long term public health goals. Co-Hosted by Chalese Brown.

* Website: www.aflasafe.com that also carries an e-newsletter, ATTC News
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aflasafe/
* Twitter: https://twitter.com/aflasafe

We’re also on:
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCux7qcOzLELrE5D3aD0c4ow
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aflasafe
* SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-280541779
* SlideShare: https://www.slideshare.net/Aflasafe

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The Klamath Basin Water Crisis; Your Questions Answered

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 May 2020 21:17:33 +0000

Today’s podcast starts with answering your questions, covering biodynamic farming, cover crops and my financial transparency. The second part discusses a battle between sensitivity to endangered species and farmers’ freedom to operate. Environmental policy designed to protect a regional fish species has called for strangling limitations on water use for farmers in the Klamath River Basin in Northern California and Oregon. To protect the fish, farmers will lose this year’s crop, and family businesses are threatened. Ben DuVal is a farmer in the region, farming land handed down from his grandfather. He discusses the situation, the history of the restrictions, and how farmers have continued to do more with less– but can’t do anymore on only 7% of the needed water. It is important to understand what our agricultural producers face, as well as effects on families and national food security.

WEBSITE: ShutDownFedUp.org
Twitter Hashtag: #ShutDownFedUp

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Inside Monsanto; Communication in Science and Agriculture

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 May 2020 05:00:03 +0000

Vance Crowe has a background that shifted between the Peace Corps in Kenya, a deckhand on an ecotourism ship, and a position with the World Bank. All had a common thread of situational communication and unique challenges. The biggest challenge came as an opportunity to work for Monsanto as the Director of Millennial Engagement. Vance discusses work inside the company, as well as his experiences with company culture and objectives. He also discusses his time since serving in that role, working to help train agriculture professionals in effective communication. He brings a wealth of information and advice to fellow communicators, and shares his passions of connecting people with credible information.

Vance Crowe on Twitter – @VanceCrowe
Vance’s podcast is here.

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COVID19: Do Masks Matter?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 May 2020 05:00:32 +0000

Throughout the COVID19 pandemic we have heard various opinions about wearing face coverings and protective masks. Some see them as critical components of public health. Others see them as a senseless violation of their personal freedom, and claim the masks have absolutely no effect on infectious disease. This week’s podcast is an interview with a world expert, Dr. Raina MacIntyre of the Kirby Institute. She is a leading scholar in the area of PPE and public health and infectious disease, and has been involved in many studies, including comparisons of different kinds of masks, their use, and compliance in disease transmission.

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Closing theme is Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny (1959)

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Pandemic Cuisine: COVID19 and Food Trends

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 May 2020 13:58:13 +0000

Leah McGrath is a Registered Dietitian with a great presence in social media. She is the corporate dietitian for a major grocery chain, and has had an important role in shaping the messaging around the multitude of food issues. She has been instrumental in debunking bad information in social media space. In this podcast we discuss how the COVID19 crisis has reshaped shopping and consumption patterns, some maybe for the better.

Follow Leah on Twitter: @LeahMcGrathRD

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COVID19 Epidemiology Trends

Kevin M. Folta — Mon, 04 May 2020 14:46:29 +0000

From the dawn of the pandemic there has been a notable rise in false information that clouds public perception and harms trust in scientific guidance. To remedy this situation it is critical that we step into conversations with the best possible information. Dr. Natalie Dean is a biostatistican that studies emerging infectious disease at the University of Florida. In this episode we discuss the current situation, the reporting of statistics, the current trends, and then answer questions from social media. The intent is to provide you with accurate information from the world’s foremost authorities so that you may engage critical conversations with confidence.

Follow Dr. Dean on Twitter: @nataliexdean
And her website is here.

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The Vaccine Manhattan Project

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 May 2020 05:00:40 +0000

The wartime response of the Manhattan Project streamlined production of weapons to revolve World War II. The plan involved massive redundancy, streamlining and parallelization of approaches to ensure the most rapid progress in technology development. Dr. Hannu Rajaniemi of HelixNano called for the development of a Vaccine Manhattan Project in a recent article on Medium, suggesting a pathway to widespread immunization in six months, and at a fraction of the cost of sustained shutdown or consumer reluctance to participate in the economy. He examines the current state of the pandemic, the proposed methods of mitigation, and what the path to a vaccine in six months might look like.

Dr. Hannu Rajaniemi on Twitter – @Hannu

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Molecular Studies in Weed Science

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 05:00:31 +0000

Weeds are a tremendous problem in agriculture, costing farmers billions a year in crop loss and the cost of control. In Europe one of the critical weeds is black grass, which causes great losses in wheat and other grass crops. However, little is known about this weed, especially the molecular basis of herbicide resistance. Dr. Dana MacGregor came to the daunting task of attacking the molecular biology of a non-model organism. She has applied an ambitious toolbox from basic science to an aggressive agricultural pest. You can genuinely sense her passions in how to solve problems that matter using the tools of basic biology.

Follow Dr. MacGregor on Twitter: @plantenv
Dr. MacGregor’s laboratory website is here.

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Cattle Domestication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 05:00:53 +0000

Cattle are currently used for meat, milk, hide products and as work animals. Where did they come from? Who are the wild relatives? Dr. Hans Lenstra from the Utrecht University describes the domestication of cattle, their radiation throughout the world, and the traits that humans have selected. We discuss the current state of genomics as well as how genomic selection, artificial insemination and gene editing might influence the future of cattle production.

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Stewardship of Biotechnology Crops in Africa.

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 12:32:54 +0000

Western Africa holds many nations of substantial population and an emerging economies. The nation has recently approved the use of the Bt cowpea to farm without applied insecticide, and with the new technology comes the need to ensure that it is used correctly. Today’s podcast features Francis Onyekachi, Program Officer, West African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). AATF helps with training farmers around the proper stewardship practices and connecting them with national extension experts. He describes the infrastructure that came with deregulation of the cowpea, and describes how the country’s regulators and oversight agencies will work with them to ensure successful application.

Hosted by Modesta Abugu.
Modesta on Twitter: @modestannedi
AATF Website here.
AATF Twitter: @aatfafrica
Frances Onyekachi on Twitter: @FrancisOnyek3

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Apples to Oranges: Abuse of Meta Analysis

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 10:22:04 +0000

The meta-analysis is traditionally considered to be a high synthesis of extant scientific literature. Their implicit power places them in headlines and they are used to sway policy and reshape fields of research. However, over the past three decades there has been an explosion in meta-analyses. There are many reasons for this increase, but like everything, as more people are involved, we see a tendency toward abuse of the instrument. There is a trend toward inappropriate comparisons, statistical massaging, and overstepping of data to draw sensational conclusions. Today’s guest is Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, he’s a senior researcher and epidemiologist that has been critical of headline-grabbing syntheses that are rife with author bias, mis-integration of data, and inappropriate comparisons. Dr. Kabat talks about the problem, its effects, and poses some solutions for researchers and other science consumers.

Follow Dr. Kabat on Twitter: @GeoKabat
Also at geoffreykabat.com

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Special Topics in COVID19

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 13:15:13 +0000

In this special edition of the Talking Bitotech Podcast Dr. Kevin Folta covers recent topics in COVID19. These topics are pulled from the headlines and distilled to that you can better communicate the current state of this health crisis.

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The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Grafting

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 05:00:35 +0000

Grafting is an age-old practice of connecting a set of roots to an aerial portion of a separate plant. Together they typically exhibit enhanced productivity, disease resistance, or other trait that makes grafting a useful practice. But why does it work? How does it work? What happens at the cells in the junction where different plants collide? Dr. Charles Melnyk from the Swedish Agricultural University sheds light on this mysterious process. We cover the history, applications, and what’s happening at the interface of two very different biologies uniting as one.

Follow Dr. Melnyk on Twitter: @CharlesMelnyk

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A Deeper Dive into COVID-19

Kevin M. Folta — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 05:05:42 +0000

As of 3/11/2020 COVID-19 is emerging as a significant health threat worldwide. This pandemic is on the rise, and public health suffers from politicized spin, misinformation, and a lack of good information. This episode is targeted to the Talking Biotech listener that can connect with family and friends, sharing the facts of this outbreak. Today’s guest is Dr. ChubbyEmu, the YouTube physician that has been at ground zero in discussing the coronavirus outbreak. We dig a layer deeper into the disease, its physical manifestations, and the current state of the disease as it spreads into the USA.

Watch ChubbyEmu on YouTube
Follow ChubbyEmu on Twitter

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A Universal Flu Vaccine

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:46:37 +0000

Seasonal influenza causes thousands of deaths annually. Part of the problem is that the vaccine must be administered annually because the virus presents different immunological faces to avoid detection. Dr. Peter Palese is a pioneer in studying the molecular biology of the influenza viruses. Today he and colleagues are on a quest to identify a universal flu vaccine that would provide one-time durable immunity. We discuss the strategies and progress toward this public health milestone.

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Improved Oils from Plants with GE

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 05:00:18 +0000

Plants produce a variety of oils, many that are critical to the human diet. The precise chemical qualities of plant oils dictate its stability, use, nutrient quality, or even its use as fuel. Dr. Surinder Singh is an expert in plant oils at CSIRO, the Australian National Research Laboratory. His laboratory has been working on projects in a variety of crops to improve the oil quality for human nutrition, but also as a potential fuel. Such efforts provide a renewable and more sustainable source of valuable oils, taking pressure off of fisheries and carbon-intensive practices.

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Anti CRISPRs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 05:00:21 +0000

The gene editing explosion has accelerated discovery, food and therapies by defining a new toolbox of useful ways to manipulate DNA. The “Cas” series of enzymes are the core machinery of the editing process, and now scientists are identifying new molecules that inhibit these molecular scissors. Dr. Joseph Bondy-Denomy rides at the front edge of this discovery, and his program is characterizing the naturally-occurring factors in a bacteria/virus arms race that play a role in modulating Cas activity.

Follow Dr. Bondy-Denomy on Twitter: @joebondydenomy
The Bondy-Denomy Lab website: Here.

Conclusion music is Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny, 1959.

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Remembering Dr. Chad Finn; Intro to the Global Gene Editing Tracker

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 09:51:40 +0000

In the first part of today’s podcast Dr. Kayleen Schreiber and Jon Entine discuss the latest addition to the Genetic Literacy Project, a website called the Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker. This online resource provides instant access to the current state of gene editing approvals, along with information on gene drives and other important regulatory updates. In the second half Dr. Bernadine Strik remembers her colleague Dr. Chad Finn. Dr. Finn contributed in massive ways to plant breeding, particularly in the development of new berry varieties for the Pacific Northwest. He also shared a tremendous interest in service to his community and to the scientific community, and was invested in students and the development of others. He was everyone’s friend. He left us suddenly and unexpectedly and leaves a palpable gap in our community. Dr. Strik memorializes his contributions and character.

The Global Gene Editing Tracker can be found here.
Follow the Genetic Literacy Project
Follow Dr. Kayleen Schreiber
Follow Jon Entine
Follow Dr. Bernadine Strik

The music in the conclusion is Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny (1959)

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Fake News Survivor, and Coronavirus Update

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 03:00:25 +0000

Dr. Ilaria Capua is an internationally recognized virologist, and a world expert in avian influenza and other animal viruses. Following her effort to make genetic information about viruses more accessible in the interest of finding faster cures, she was unknowingly put under investigation, as she was central in moving viral information and samples to colleagues worldwide. Wire taps and clandestine evidence gathering filled a file, that eventually would be discovered, leaked and maliciously reinterpreted, alleging that Dr. Capua was the mastermind of an international virus trafficking ring. She was accused in the media, without evidence, of providing viruses for others to spread so that she could profit from vaccines produced. These false allegations left her facing life in prison. Years later the charges were completely dismissed as manufactured claims by the media. However, the events were life changing. Today Dr. Capua has channeled her energies into broadening science education, and continuing her outstanding work as a virologist. In the second half of the podcast she provides her expert interpretation of the 2019 nCov Coronavirus outbreak, its origin, risks and concerns.

Follow Dr. Capua on Twitter
Dr. Capua’s Website
This is a link to a documentary on Dr. Capua (Italian with English subtitles)
This is a link to Dr. Capua’s books (in Italian, English version coming)
Also the hashtag #BeautifulScience
Support the podcast on Patreon. Every cent invested in improving science outreach.

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Opportunities with American Society of Plant Biologists

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 05:00:13 +0000

The American Society of Plant Biologists is the largest professional society for plant biologists. Dr. Mary Williams discusses some of the ways that ASPB can mentor young scientists, develop careers, partake in ambassador programs, interact with others, and learn communication skills. Hosted by Modesta Abugu.

Mary Williams on Twitter: @PlantTeaching
Modesta Abugu on Twitter: @modestannedi

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Women in Genomics

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 05:00:26 +0000

Like many areas of science, the early days of genomics quickly became a male-dominated discipline. While more women were earning advanced degrees and training in this area, fewer were finding a place in faculty and other leadership positions. Dr. Kellye Eversole and others developed a group to advance networking channels, provide career advice, and relay funding opportunities with the interest in connecting women scientists with others in genomics. For over twenty years this organization has helped to raise opportunities for women in genomics, especially early-career scientists. Their support has helped accelerate the careers of many women in science. Hosted by Modesta Abugu.

www.womeningenomics.org
On Twitter follow #womeningenomics
Follow Modesta Abugu on Twitter

The Talking Biotech Podcast is produced and funded by Kevin Folta outside of business hours. The information provided is that of the hosts, guests and producer, and is in no way intended to reflect the views of the University of Florida, its administration, faculty, staff, or students.

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Cassava Innovation in Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 05:00:55 +0000

Cassava is a staple food crop in Africa and Asia, yet is widely unknown by the industrialized world. While almost a billion people depend on this crop, production is limited by a series of diseases, and it also lacks critical nutrients that could help reverse local deficiencies. Dr. Chiedozie Egesi is a scientist dedicated to cassava improvement. He discusses the crop, the challenges to growth, and how biotechnology solutions could help facets of production. They also discuss some of the recent momentum in biotech adoption in Africa. Hosted by Modesta Abugu.

Follow Dr. Egesi
Website
Twitter
Follow Modesta Abugu on Twitter

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Talking Biotech Hiatus

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 02:31:46 +0000

I’ve dreaded this day. I have not missed a Saturday in a long time, but after being told to end the series by the institution I have not been able to find someone that can do the work to host the podcast on a weekly basis.

I hope that those that complained to the university feel good about their accomplishment. And it is people that claim to be friends of science, BTW.

Right now the most prudent move is to go on a hiatus. I need time to regroup. My feeling is that I’m just going to come back, continue the podcast, and navigate the consequences.

It does not make it easy.

Sharing science is my passion and communicating the truths and deciphering the evidence is more critical than ever. It is a shame I work for an institution that does not share that view.

Please do not unsubscribe yet. Stand by. I should know more about the fate of this vehicle by the end of January.

Thank you for listening to the Talking Biotech Podcast, and I’ll talk to you soon. Thank you.
Kevin

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Biotech Cotton Comes to Kenya

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 10:25:03 +0000

Kenya is an emerging economy and has significant investment in advanced technologies. However, a 2013 ban on biotech crops has limited farmer access to the most needed technologies for the field. That moratorium is finally being lifted, as biotech cotton has been approved and will be available to farmers in 2020. Farmers recognize the potential for Bt cotton to reduce or eliminate dependence on the insecticides currently required for production. Today’s guest is Daniel Magondu, Chairman of the Society of Biotech Farmers of Kenya. The episode is hosted by Modesta Abugu, a graduate student studying tomato improvement.

Follow Modesta Abugu on Twitter: @modestannedi
About the Society of Biotech Farmers in Kenya (SOBIFAK)

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International Biotechnology, Policy and Future

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 05:00:55 +0000

Dr. Stuart Smyth is no stranger to anyone that has watched social media. As a leading ag economist he has consistently represented science and technology fairly and accurately, and tethered to his prolific publication of books and scholarly publication, he is a visible influencer in scientific and social media circles. In today’s podcast we discuss his views on risks and benefits of GE crops, the rules of the EU and his home country of Canada. We discuss the future of new technology, and made a few predictions about the next decade.

Follow Dr. Smyth on Twitter: @stuartsmyth66
His website at University of Saskatchewan: Is here!

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An Engineered Cowpea for Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 05:00:11 +0000

The cowpea is a high-protein food staple in parts of Africa, particularly in the growing countries of Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina-Fasso. Production is predominantly on small holder farms. Production is threatened by the pod borer, the larvae of a moth referred to as Maruca, that limits yields and causes farmers to apply large amounts of insecticide to protect their crops. Dr. TJ Higgins and his team from CSIRO have worked with African scientists to develop a Bt-expressing cowpea. These lines produce the protein that targets maruca larvae, decreasing insecticide use and producing higher yields in field trials. This innovation is now available to Nigerian farmers and represents a major step forward in sustainability and food security.

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Precision Medicine

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 10:29:26 +0000

There is a massive amount of human genomic DNA sequence data, and it is now possible to identify correlates with specific disease, drug sensitivity and physiological variation. The concept of “genomic medicine” or “precision medicine” is that therapeutic interventions are guided by genetic information. In today’s podcast we speak with Dr. Julie Johnson. Dr. Johnson is a Dean and Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Florida. She outlines what precision medicine is, along with some of its strengths and limitations, as well as some predictions of new approaches on the horizon to improve delivery of specific therapies. Co-hosted by Dr. Karla Claudio.

The views and opinions of this podcast do not necessarily those of the University of Florida, its faculty or students, and it is produced entirely separately from the university with all funding provided personally by Kevin Folta

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Bacteria Fixing Nitrogen in Plants

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 05:00:49 +0000

Nitrogen is essential for crop growth. That reality has led to intensive crop fertilization using nitrogen fixed through the Haber-Bosch process, which has energy costs in production and transport. At the same time there are well known examples of nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with plants, as well as some that colonize within the plant itself. Can these naturally occurring bacteria actually be used within the plant to assist in the nitrogen fixation process? Nolan Berg joins the podcast from Azotics, a company with a pioneer product. This bacterial strain lives within the plant, fixing nitrogen and limiting the need for exogenous application.

Visit the Azotic North America website here.
Follow Azotic North America on Twitter: @AzoticNA

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The GE Crop Ban in South Australia

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 05:00:05 +0000

While the country of Australia has been growing genetically-engineered crops for over 15 years, the state of South Australia has banned their use. This moratorium has been in place since 2004, and requires farmers to shift to alternative crop protection strategies that often have a significant yield penalty. Recent changes in political representation in the region appeared to be more farmer friendly, and many felt that change was coming. Unfortunately, local activists connected to Green Party representatives in Parliament, were able to derail efforts to end the moratorium. Today’s podcast meets with Caroline Rhodes, CEO of Grain Producers South Australia. She describes the rationale behind the ban, the effects, and next steps to ensure seed sovereignty. Ultimately this is a case of restricting farmer choice, and a look into the playbook of how to manipulate politicians with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Follow this story: @GrainProducerSA
Follow Caroline Rhodes: @bespoke_rural
The song “A Little Help From GM” played can be heard here:

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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 05:00:37 +0000

The genomics era has generated tremendous data sets, yet the information they reveal is limited by the human biases that search them. Are there ways to examine complex data sets for hidden patterns that can unearth new perspectives in biology? This is the role of machine learning, and the patterns form the basis of artificial intelligence that then executes new tasks. While these concepts seem difficult to fathom, Dr. Gabe Musso makes them understandable, and describes the ways they may be applied in contemporary contexts.

The BioSymetrics website is here
The BioSymetrics Twitter feed is here.

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Egg Production and GE Ethics

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 05:00:46 +0000

There is an unfortunate side to egg production. Only female chickens produce eggs, so layers are selected at hatching. Chicks are sexed with a vent inspection. Females are kept for egg production. Males live a short ride down a conveyor into a chipper, where they are instantly killed. This practice raises ethical and practical questions. Dr. Nigel Urwin and his collaborators devised a way to identify the sex of eggs before hatching, allowing male eggs to be saved for direct consumption or vaccine manufacture. The concept is brilliant yet unfortunately stalled. It is a great solution to an important problem with interesting ethical edges.

The Original Article in The Guardian

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Food Bullying

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Michele Payn is a much sought after speaker, author and podcast host. She has introduced the third book in her trilogy, this one about the phenomenon of others taking issue with someone’s food choices. The book, aptly titled “Food Bullying”, explores the social-psychological basis of food bullying as well as important issues in agriculture that conjure the response. She presents an important snapshot of the current state of food discussions, as food is not just something we eat, it is the basis of a much deeper connection to social status and group identity.

Michele’s website
Follow Michele on Twitter: @mpaynspeaker
Purchase the book at her site here
Find the book on Amazon here

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CAR-T Cells: Engineered to Attack Cancer

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 05:00:18 +0000

Can we use genetic engineering to help the body’s immune system target cancer cells? This is exactly what happens with CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy. CAR-T cells are T-cells, immune cells of the body that are reprogrammed to identify specific surface signatures that define specific types of cancer cells. It allows these immune agents to seek and destroy cancer cells with great accuracy and with fewer side effects to traditional chemotherapy or radiation. While in their infancy, these techniques show great promise for future therapies. Today’s guest is Dr. Joe Fraietta, a leader in CAR-T cell solutions. He explains how the technology works, describes its applications and future uses.

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Impossible Burgers and Biotechnology

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 05:00:59 +0000

The Impossible Burger is meat alternative that gets its meat-like qualities from a combination of plant-based ingredients, plus “meatiness” from a biotech-derived product. There is a lot of discussion about the product, and the internet has even questioned the safety of the biotechnology steps used in its creation. This episode discusses the Impossible Burger with Dr. Chana Davis, a scientist familiar with the product. We discuss questions about meat alternatives, processed food, and if this truly is a vegetable replacement. We also share thoughts on the future of food and if everything will someday be derived from a manufacturing process.

Follow Dr. Davis on Twitter:
The Fueled by Science Facebook Page
Her blog, Fueled by Science

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Edible Cotton Seed

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 05:00:15 +0000

Cotton production is massive, but mostly used for fiber. The cotton seed is a tremendous potential resource as it contains high amounts of oil and high-quality protein. However, the seeds are not directly edible by most mammals because they contain a toxic chemical called gossypol. Gossypol is a terpenoid that the plant produces as a natural insecticide. A team led by Dr. Keerti Rathore at Texas A&M University has worked for decades to produce cottonseed without gossypol. The plants have now been approved for production by USDA-APHIS and the FDA. The technology may now be used to produce new cotton lines that generate massive amounts of high-protein seed, leading to new human food and animal feed, ultimately benefitting farmers, the environment and the food insecure.

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Farm Aid: Anti Biotech and Farmer Choice?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 05:00:02 +0000

The Farm Babe Michelle Miller is a farmer, speaker, columnist and blogger that advocates for agricultural producers, and seeks to better connect consumers to agricultural reality. She recently attended Farm Aid, the annual concert event that originally was held to provide funding to struggling farmers in the 1980’s. Since then farming has become even more challenging, but Farm Aid has seemed to shift its focus to more political causes than direct farmer assistance. Michelle reports what she experienced at a recent Farm Aid concert and its associated press conference. It is clear that they have minimal interest in supporting large “factory” producers and are focusing on practices and production techniques that are more compatible with a specific agenda about food.

Follow Michelle on Twitter: @TheFarmBabe
And her website.

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Engineered Microbes to Fix Nitrogen

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 05:00:38 +0000

Nitrogen is a reality of growing plants, and must be supplied to maximize crop yields. At the same time our atmosphere is >70% nitrogen that is not usable by plants in its atmospheric form. Humans have devised processes to “fix” nitrogen into plant usable forms, but they require energy and the products need to be transported, both leading to a substantial carbon footprint. A number of microbes naturally fix nitrogen, yet do not form good associations with all plants. Joyn Bio is a collaborative effort by a number of companies in chemistry and synthetic biology. Their CEO Dr. Michael Mille talks about efforts to engineer microbes that can form tight associations with crop plants and fix the nitrogen they need. These strategies seek to lower the carbon footprint of farming, at the same time limiting nitrogen pollution by producing it directly in association with the plant that needs it.

The JoynBio website
Follow Joyn Bio on Twitter at @JoynBio

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The Ugly Politics of Glyphosate Litigation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 05:00:39 +0000

Dr. David Zaruk has become the foremost authority on the questionable practices within the IARC and their decision-making process. Over the last several years he has taken a key point position in interpreting the IARC’s 2015 decision and the political landscape around the agricultural chemical glyphosate. While controversy swirls, he brings it back to reality with deep dissections of the politics involved in the IARC guidance and other regulatory decisions. He has paid a personal and professional price for telling the truth. He is undoubtedly the leader in communicating the facts about the activist assault on science, reason, and a low-toxicity agricultural chemical.

Dr. Zaruk’s website.
Follow Dr. Zaruk on Twitter: @zaruk

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Mosquito Biotech Solutions – Getting the Story Straight

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 05:00:23 +0000

The tiny mosquito is a nuisance in the industrialized world, yet around the world it is a ruthless killer, spreading blood-borne diseases that bring about pain and suffering, particularly in developing nations. In many regions these are invasive species with little to no ecological role. For years scientists have used “sterile insect technique” to control them, a process that treats sexually compatible insects with radiation, rendering them infertile. The low-fertility insects are released into the wild and crash problematic populations. The Oxitec company has a genetic solution. Mosquitoes have been genetically engineered to contain a lethal gene that can be turned off in the laboratory with a simple chemical. Upon release, these mosquitoes breed against target populations, spreading the lethal gene, and leaving the next generation inviable. The process creates a reproductive dead end. While amazingly successful, these trials have suffered from a lack of public acceptance. This week an article in Scientific Reports from a credible lab introduced language that bred fear, uncertainty and doubt in the Oxitec approach. This unwarranted speculation was then amplified and exaggerated by the credulous anti-biotech media, further eroding public perception. In this episode I spoke with Dr. Kelly Matsen, Research and Development and Operations lead at Oxitech. She described the experiments in question, the actual results, the published paper, and how Oxitech’s technology actually has worked in field releases.

The Oxitec Website
Follow Oxitec on Twitter, @Oxitec
Link to the EPA Public Comment Period on Mosquito Release

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Plagiarism and Image Manipulation in Scientific Pubilcation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 05:00:54 +0000

Dr. Elisabeth Bik is a hero. Classically trained with plenty of lab-bench expertise, today she patrols the best scientific literature in search for plagiarism and image manipulation. Her expert eye identifies manipulated images in our best scientific publications, including the revered science weekly journals that present allegedly breakthrough work. Dr. Bik talks about her path to become a publication sleuth, a high-resolution machine with an eye for things that just don’t look right. She talks about her work, its repercussions and how pervasive plagiarism and image manipulation are in contemporary science.

Please follow her on Twitter. @MicrobiomDigest
And her blog: Microbiome Digest

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An HIV Preventative in GE Rice

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 05:00:23 +0000

While HIV incidence has remained stable in the industrialized world, the virus is still transmitted in the Developing World. The development of methods of prophylaxis are critical to disease containment, yet moving products into affected areas is not practical or affordable. Dr. Evangelia Vamvaka was part of a team that placed anti-HIV proteins into rice. The rice produced a transgenic protein that inhibited the virus, and did so with great efficacy in the presence of other compounds from the plant. The rice can be ground to a powder and potentially be used as an HIV preventative wherever rice is grown. Co-hosted by Lethbridge Canada high school student Michelle Wu.

The original paper in PNAS
Follow Dr. Vamvaka on Twitter: @VamvakaEv

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Supporting Farmer Choice in South Australia

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 05:00:06 +0000

Australia has welcomed the use of genetically engineered crops, and farmers have found particular benefit from broad acre canola and cotton cultivation. However, the benefits were not realized by some states because of local moratoriums imposed by state governments. Farmers in South Australia grow wheat, canola and pulses, along with wine grapes, olives and other horticultural crops. They would like the option to grow GE canola, as it may offer some benefits. More importantly, new technologies in gene editing may permit rapid response to new threats as well as tackle current issues in drought, frost, and pathogens. Fortunately, a science-minded change in government has led to discussion of removing the ban. I speak with four agricultural leaders from the Grain Producers SA, a non-profit organization coordinating grower advocacy and communications. With Tanya Morgan, Adrian McCabe (@AdrianMcCabe6), Wade Dabinette and Dion Woolford (@rudigermaxpower).

Twitter: @GrainProducerSA
Website: Grain Producers SA

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A Bioengineered Hangover Helper?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 05:02:49 +0000

Genetically engineered microbes commonly manufacture our vitamins and amino acid supplements, but can they be supplements themselves? Zbiotics has developed genetically engineered bacteria that may help to metabolize the residues of alcohol consumption, altering the accumulation of the compounds that lead to next-day malaise. These microbes are consumed as a pro-biotic, fortifying the digestive system with a means to break down deleterious metabolites. Today’s podcast covers the technology with Dr. Zack Abbott from Zbiotics, including a discussion of how a “proudly GMO” product resonates with consumers.

Zbiotics LInks:
https://www.instagram.com/zbiotics/
https://www.facebook.com/ZBiotics/
https://twitter.com/ZBioticsCompany

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Food 5.0 -How We Feed the Future

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 17:41:23 +0000

Robert Saik is an agronomist and entrepreneur with a lifetime of experience in farming. For years he has been a leading advocate for farmers, and a passionate voice promoting the newest technologies, whether they are genetic or engineering marvels on the farm. The 200th episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast aptly hosts Rob and the introduction of is new book, Farming 5.0, How We Feed the Future. Rob discusses the five waves of agricultural history and speaks to their convergence in the modern farm. It is an accessible and important text that helps everyone understand the modern tenor of food and farming.

Food 5.0 on Amazon
Follow Rob on Twitter @RSaik

Thanks to Sci Babe Yvette D’Entremont and Vern Blazek for flexing their thespian muscles in the voice over!

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Gene Editing and Sickle Cell Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 05:00:00 +0000

Tweet

Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that predominantly affects people of African descent. The disease results in chronic pain and early death, and is caused by a misfolding of oxygen-toting hemoglobin, a central protein in red blood cells. Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the CRISPR Therapeutics companies have combined to test a potential therapy. A patients stem cells are gene edited using CRISPR/Cas9 so that they stop producing adult mutant hemoglobin, and produce a fetal version instead. The engineered stem cells are returned to the patient, who then manufactures fetal hemoglobin in their own blood cells, potentially curing the disease. Clinical trials have just begun. Dr. Brenda Eustace, Director of Discovery Research, takes us through the problem, its effects and the Vertex solution that could bring needed relief to millions worldwide.
Website: VRTX.com
Twitter: @VertexPharma

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The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Nano Bar Codes and Product Fidelity

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 05:00:07 +0000

Products move from producer to consumer through complicated networks called supply chains. These routes of custody involve many people and organizations, and oftentimes cross international borders. All of these product touch-points are opportunity for contamination or willful adulteration of the product. High value products like authentic high-end wine, honey or olive oil can be diluted with lesser value amendments, which misleads the consumer and can introduce food safety issues. Carverr Inc has a solution. Today’s podcast speaks with Dr. Ellen Jorgensen and Vishall Bhuyan, the co-founders of the company. They use a signature blend of probiotics in the products that can be detected with a simple assay. This specific signature beacons the presence of adulteration and ensures fidelity and transparency throughout the supply chain, ensuring customers are receiving exactly what they purchased.

Follow Carverr on Twitter: @CarverLabs
Carverr Inc Website: www.carverr.com

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Citrus Greening Disease Update

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 05:00:20 +0000

What is the current state of the devastating citrus greening disease, Huanglongbing (HLB). Dr. Jude Grosser from the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center discusses the current state of the disease, the current therapies and the future possibilities of leveraging genetics and nutrition to help keep citrus in production.

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Immunotherapies Against HIV

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 05:00:31 +0000

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causal agent of the spectrum of disorders known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). For decades, those infected have found relief from anti-retroviral therapies that suppress viral numbers. However, the treatments are difficult, require strict compliance and are not 100% efficacious. New therapies have been developed that target the virus using Chimeric Antigen Receptor engineered T cells. These immune cells have been armed with genetically engineered receptors and localization signals that home in on a target, like HIV. Dr. Pamela Skinner is a Professor at the University of Minnesota. Her group collaborates with other leading labs to develop CAR-T cell based therapies for HIV, and she is optimistic about the success of these new approaches.

Dr. Skinner’s Website is here.

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Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 06:10:32 +0000

Bangladesh is a population dense country with relatively little farmland. Subsistence farmers make a living by growing, harvesting and selling brinjal, or the fruit westerners know as the eggplant. The biggest threat to production is the fruit and shoot borer, an insect larvae that digs into the fruit, leaving its waste, and inviting pathogens and decay. To combat this, farmers traditionally use massive amounts of insecticides, upward of 80-100 sprays per season. It is their family’s livelihood, so sprays protect the crop, and protect the family. The Bt brinjal is genetically engineered to produce a natural protein that stops the fruit and shoot borer. The plants need minimal spray application and are more profitable for growers. Today co-hosts Modesta Abugu and Kevin Folta speak with Arif Hossein, leader of Farm the Future Bangladesh about the brinjal and its adoption by Bagladesh farmers.

Farm the Future Bangladesh Facebook: Farming Future Bangladesh
Follow him on Twitter: @FarmingFutureBD

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Countering Disinformation in Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 05:00:10 +0000

The African continent is emerging in many ways, yet still is developing economically. Technology is a huge part of the African transformation, yet farmers there are often forbidden to use crop technologies that were developed for Africa, by African scientists and governments. The resistance is rooted in a vigorous disinformation campaign by European NGOs that spread fear, uncertainty and doubt among the African populations. In June 2019 these organizations funded a meeting on Agroecology in Nairobi Kenya. Part of the conference was a performance by four all stars of the anti-agriculture, anti-technology-for-Africa movement. Tyrone Hayes, Giles-Eric Seralini, Don M. Huber, and Judy Carman all alarmed a diverse audience of farmers, students and politicians about the dangers of biotechnology and agricultural chemistry. But one man stood in the way of the campaign. Rob Wager is a faculty member at Vancouver Island University. He attended the conference, asked tough questions (when allowed), interacted with media, and spoke with students. He provided a scientific counter to the disinformation being launched with the intent of skewing public opinion away from potentially life-saving technologies.

Visit Rob’s website: www.robertwager.com
Follow him on Twitter: @RobertWager1

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Domesticating Bacteria for Industrial Production

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 05:00:48 +0000

Bacteria surround us and have specialized functions in adaptation and metabolism. Could they be helpful as micro machines that catalyze key reactions? Could teams of collaborating bacteria be combined to perform important industrial processes? Dr. Sarah Richardson from MicroByre asks that question. She is in the business of bacterial discovery and domestication, bringing wild bacteria that perform important chemistry into human control. Her company then uses collaborations of microbes to take on important production jobs.

Follow Dr. Richardson on Twitter: @theGermWrangler
Microbyre’s website: http://www.microbyre.com/

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Curing PRRS with Gene Editing

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 05:00:33 +0000

Pork production worldwide is limited by a series of viral pig diseases that slow growth, cause illness and restrict reproduction. One of these is known as PRRS, Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome. PRRS has a massive cost to producers, as they either have to manage the disease or spend significant resources in vaccination and biosecurity. Dr. Christine Burkard of the Roslin Institute has a solution. Her team has studied how the virus docks with cells and replicates. They have successfully edited the viral attachment domain from the receptor protein using Cas9-mediated gene editing in pig zygotes. The resulting animals are resistant to the disease, and are being incorporated into breeding programs. Thanks to Dr. Burkard and others studying pig diseases, there will be improvements in animal health and economic benefits for producers.

Follow Dr. Burkard on Twitter: @Cburkard4

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Indian Farmers Protest for Technology Access

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 05:00:36 +0000

While Indian farmers have realized benefits from GE cotton, food crops have been forbidden from this growing country. Their neighbor to the west, Bangladesh, has realized great gains from the “Bt” Brinjal (eggplant). Farmers there used to spray 80-100 times a season to protect their crop. In 2014 the Agriculture Minister approved the “Bt” Brinjal, a variety that protects itself from the pest using a naturally-occurring bacterial protein that is toxic to fruit-boring insect larvae. The number of sprays declined to 1-2 per season. Indian farmers wanted the same benefit, and seeds have been making their way into India, despite the fact that they have not been approved. In this episode Dr. C.S. Prakash explains the current protests, as Indian farmers plant symbolistic areas of Bt brinjal, defying laws and potential penalties in the name of technology sovereignty. Dr. Prakash has been contributing to the biotech crop discussion for decades, he has been recognized with the CAST Borlaug Ag Communications Award, and here tells the story of the situation in India.

Follow Dr. Prakash on Twitter: @AgBioWorld
And his website: AgBioWorld.org

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Glyphosate: The Murder of a Molecule

Kevin M. Folta — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 03:50:56 +0000

The war against agricultural biotechnology shifted in the last several years. Carefully constructed steps by those opposed to technology have managed to malign a relatively innocuous compound– the herbicide glyphosate. The compound is used in many applications, from GE crops to drying down some grains prior to harvest. Armed with analytical chemistry, activist groups claim to detect glyphosate everywhere, of course in minuscule amounts. But when those amounts are not zero, it provides a means to stoke fear and drive policy change. It is amazing to watch what is happening around glyphosate, a compound with a long regulatory history and years of safe use. The way that activists attain their goals is by manipulating the media, organizations that are willing to tell any story that can raise fear. Children being poisoned by breakfast cereal is just the ticket. But are they being honest? In this week’s 5th Anniversary podcast I dissect a recent CBS Television News story on the subject. Do they get it right?

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Dinosaurs, DNA and De-Extinction

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 05:00:45 +0000

The visions of Jurassic Park are an extrapolation of actual research being performed all over the world. Research has shown that avian dinosaurs (birds) possess latent genes that can be re-activated to restore forelimbs, hands and teeth. Dr. Jack Horner is a world-renowned paleontologist that has been involved in the efforts to adjust modern avian traits to demonstrate morphological f Brain Bar in Budapest, Hungary, May 31, 2019.

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The Future of Fruit and Vegetable Production

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 09:33:35 +0000

Technology is exploding in all areas of life, but sadly has been slow to reach agriculture. We are stuck in the rhythms of old unsustainable practices. But things are changing quickly thanks to data, robotics, revival of old practices, new technologies and better genetics. This episode is Kevin Folta speaking to Brain Bar in Budapest, Hungary, May 30, 2019.

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African Biotechnology Update

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 May 2019 05:00:49 +0000

There is sad irony that the African continent has the most potential benefit from crop biotechnology, yet has the least access to the technology. The bottlenecks are political, not scientific, as excellent technology is being developed and procured by African agricultural technology groups. Much of the anti-biotech sentiment is shaped by U.S. and E.U. non-governmental organizations, particularly activist organizations that flood the continent with disturbing disinformation. The technology deficits affect smallholder farmers, particularly women. Professor Jennifer Thomson has been a leading voice in biotechnology and women’s advocacy in Africa. She shares her stories and views, and helps us understand the complexities of getting the best technology to people that could benefit from its implementation.

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Blackberry Domestication and Breeding

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 May 2019 05:00:17 +0000

Blackberries are a popular, healthy fruit with increasing availability to the consumer. Over the last century significant progress has been made in its genetic improvement. In this episode the history, breeding efforts and future of blackberry are discussed by Dr. Chad Finn, USDA-ARS Plant Geneticist and Small Fruit Breeder.

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A Potential Cure for Citrus Greening Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 May 2019 05:00:46 +0000

Huanglongbing, or HLB, is the Chinese term for the Yellow Dragon Disease– usually referred to as Citrus Greening. The disease first appeared in the USA in the Miami area in 2005, and since has spread to every grove. The disease is a terminal infection of the tree, culminating in its decline and death. Currently there is no cure. The Florida industry is crashing, the disease is found across citrus producing states, including California. Scientists have attempted many strategies to solve the problem, from nutrition to transgenics. The problem is that the most likely solutions do not have public buy-in, as genetic engineering strategies are hampered by a tragic misperception. One solution is an outstanding intermediate. The Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) is ubiquitous in citrus trees, now infecting most trees with zero consequences. Scientists have co-opted the virus to deliver an anti-microbial payload, a peptide that may interfere with the bacterium, without harming the plant or making the plant “genetically engineered”. The solution allows producers to generate “Non-GMO” orange juice while still saving the industry. Dr. Steve Savage explains the technology and its application.

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Psychophysics, Smell and Taste / Women in Science

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 May 2019 05:00:51 +0000

Dr. Linda Bartoshuk has been recognized as an expert on interactions between the smell, taste, psychology and the brain for many decades. While so important to our experiences, smell and taste are poorly understood by the general public. Dr. Bartoshuk explains some of these important nuances of how we sense the world around us, and how that integrates with perception and liking. In the second part we discuss her experiences as a woman navigating overt sexism, harassment and discrimination as she moved from high school, through her education and into her faculty positions– even as a recognized world expert and leader in her field.

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Banned But Doing It Anyway!

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 05:00:29 +0000

I was very excited to be participating in the Southern Seed School here in Gainesville, FL. I had talks prepared on three cool topics– the history of the University of Florida plant breeding programs, plant breeding and genetic improvement, and new crops for Florida. I was not being compensated for my time on a Sunday, which is perfect. The group was a a paying audience of plant enthusiasts and gardeners, all excited to learn more about seed saving. Genetics, I feel, is a huge part of that, and non-scientists don’t think of it very much. My job was to fill that gap. The Wednesday before the event I read that I was cancelled. Not the whole event, not other UF speakers, just me. The organizers apparently received complaints, and certainly the bogus Twitter accounts were in high gear complaining about my participation. They succeeded in removing a scientist from a scientific presentation. Sadly, it makes the “seed savers” and organic gardeners look like they are offended by science, a charge frequently levied in social media. I disagree with that stance, but their actions reinforce those negative perceptions, which is a shame. Since I have been eliminated I will present the lectures in a separate venue in the same building. This way students that wanted that information are welcome to have access, and their education will not be interrupted by bad leadership decisions. I also applaud what the leadership does in their other efforts, so I don’t want negative fallout for them. I’m just disappointed that they rolled over when it was time to stand up for science.

UPDATE: The organizers moved the Seed School off of the campus, so participants will not have access to the lecture materials. We will present these at a meeting for gardeners in the Fall. I’m very sorry.

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Insect Resistant Cowpea in Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 05:09:15 +0000

Cowpea is a critical crop in Western Africa. It is consumed by millions daily, but also feeds livestock, all the while providing important nitrogen fixation for the farm. Cowpea cultivation is threatened by Maruca vitrata, a butterfly who’s caterpillar stage feasts on the beans within the cowpea pod. Scientists in Nigeria have implemented a strategy using the Bt protein to fight against this pest. Today’s podcast interviews Francis Onyekachi, Program Manager for the West African Maruca Resistant Cowpea Project. He talks about the crop, the technology, and the strategy to ensure its continued efficacy. Co-hosted by Nigerian native and University of Florida graduate student Modesta Abugu.

Here is a link to the project.
Follow Modesta Abugu on Twitter @modestannedi

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A Synthetic Light Switch Increases Photosynthesis

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 05:00:12 +0000

One of the limiting factors in photosynthesis is the plant’s ability to take up carbon dioxide to assimilate into carbohydrates. At least part of the problem is the size of the small pores, or stomata, that are used for gas exchange between the inside of the leaf and the outside environment. Pore size is dictated by guard cells, two sausage-shaped cells that swell and deflate to open the pore. The process can be triggered by an influx of potassium ions. Prof. John Christie and collaborators at the University of Glasgow and Milan, Italy designed a light-activated potassium switch, a channel that would allow the light influx when the plants were treated with blue light. The resulting plants incorporated more carbon into their biomass. The results show that a synthetic molecule can be used to open one bottleneck in photosynthesis, and the technology may be helpful in increasing plant yields in the future field.

This is the the Christie Lab website and Here is a link to the recent paper.
Check out Amber Boas Medium Page and follow her on Twitter @ABoasGardens

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Sleep: A Time for DNA Repair

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 05:00:19 +0000

Sleep remains a mystery to science, as it is a state where an organism is vulnerable to potentially deadly forces. It therefore must be important to physiology and survival. Prof. Lior Appelbaum and his team have examined the effect of sleep on brain activity using zebrafish embryos. Chromosomes were colored for visualization, and dynamic movements are imaged for analysis. The results show that when a fish is sleeping, chromosomes in the brain are very active and undergoing repair. The interpretation is that sleep is an essential state where neuronal activity is put on hold why the cells can repair their genetic materials. Co-hosted by University of Florida graduate student Brady Holmer.

This is the the Appelbaum Lab website and Here is a link to the recent paper.
Check out Brady Holmer’s blog and follow him on Twitter @B_Holmer ‏

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Genetic Engineering and Healthier Soybean Oils

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 05:00:42 +0000

Soybeans are legumes that produce abundant oil. The oils have been popular for consumers and in food service, but they could have improved performance in cooking applications and also did not have the heart-healthy profiles of other plant-derived oils. With a simple genetic tweak scientists were able to radically change the oil content of soybean oil to high oleic content. This type of oil has no trans fat, less saturated fat, and a significant level of monounsaturated fat. The process has been achieved by traditional breeding as well as by gene editing, producing a soybean oil with improved cooking performance and health properties. Today’s podcast features a discussion with Kim Nill, Director of Research and Development with the Minnesota Soybean Council.

Follow AquaBounty on Twitter
This is the Minnesota Soybean website.
This is the Plenish Oil website.

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A GE Salmon Comes to Market

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 05:00:22 +0000

The transgenic, fast-growing salmon was first developed in 1989. The goal was simple, use fish genes to remove seasonal growth effects, with the hopes of creating a fish that could grow faster. Faster growth means fewer resources to produce an equivalent amount or finished food product. This results in greater availability of a sustainable, consistent, high quality source of salmon, a great protein source with oils suggested to have positive roles in health. However, the road to approval has been long. As the first GE animal, the AquaBounty salmon had navigated a complex regulatory maze, that now has finally allowed it to be produced and marketed in North America. This episode speaks with Sylvia Wulf, CEO and President of AquaBounty Technologies. We discuss the product, the regulatory situation, and when the products may be finally available to consumers.

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This is the AquaBounty website.

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The Angry Chef- Food, Fat and Fads

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 05:00:57 +0000

Anthony Warner is known as The Angry Chef, achieving notoriety as a food-fad/social critic. He has roots in biochemistry and trained as a chef, with years of experience in a variety of cooking venues. He is recognized for his books, columns and blogs, where he provides scientifically consistent critical analysis of current food trends and historical food foibles. His new book is entitled The Truth About Fat.

Follow Anthony Warner on Twitter
This link goes to the blog One Angry Chef
Buy the book, The Truth About Fat

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Early Career Scientists – Research and Communication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 05:16:05 +0000

Today’s graduate students understand that participation in science communication can significantly enhance a scientific career. While there are challenges, the idea of being willing to share science with the public can have tremendous benefits, yet there are few universities that stress the mechanics and psychology of public engagement. The Cornell Alliance for Science held a science communication workshop in San Diego, geared toward graduate students. Three of the participants, Andrew Katz (Colorado State), Bliss Betzen (Kansas State) and Saarah Kuzay (UC Davis) join Drs. Kevin Folta and Paul Vincelli to discuss their projects, their projects, and their long-term aspirations.

Bliss Betzen on Twitter @bmbetzen
Andrew Katz on linked in
Saarah Kuzay via UC-Davis, Dubcovsky Lab

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Plants Engineered to Remediate Military Toxins

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 10:54:09 +0000

Military preparedness means testing ammunition and ordinates in controlled field trials, as well as decommissioning of obsolete weaponry. The result is a significant environmental deposit of residues of TNT and RDX, two explosives used in the production of military hardware. These compounds are environmentally persistent and leach into groundwater. They represent significant environmental toxins near military bases. Dr. Liz Rylott and her team at the University of York have developed plants capable of inactivating these compounds. Plants take up RDX and TNT, however, these compounds remain stable within the plant. Using genes from unusual bacterial species, plants have been engineered to inactivate these compounds, turning them essentially into fertilizer. This work is an exciting example of how genetic engineering can be used to solve a critical environmental problem.

Follow Dr. Rylott at @LizRylott

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A Cancer Epidemiologist Discusses Glyphosate Claims

Kevin M. Folta — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 03:24:53 +0000

The report saturated the popular media, claims that the herbicide glyphosate increased cancer risk by 41%. This alarming statistic punctuated news reports, based on a new analysis of old data performed by a statistics team at the University of Washington. These claims did not study cancer in general, but instead focused on a rare cancer known as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). Their conclusions were generated from re-analysis of previous reports, the most powerful of which showed absolutely no association between glyphosate use and NHL. So how do reports with marginal/no associations and a powerful report with no association morph into a report claiming a definitive association? In this week’s podcast I discuss the analysis with Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, retired cancer epidemiologist and risk expert. We discuss the new report, its strengths and weaknesses, and his concern that the data put into the study may have been selectively chosen to produce the desired outcome.

Follow Dr. Kabat at @GeoKabat and www.geoffreykabat.com

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Ethos Chocolate – Ingredients from GE Plants

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 00:36:46 +0000

In the days of fear-based food labeling the market has been screaming for a science-friendly alternative. Ethos Chocolates are distributed for free by A Fresh Look, an independent organization of farmers that want to set the record straight with regard to crop technology. Today I speak with Dr. Rebecca Larson, Scientific Director for A Fresh Look. We discuss the motivation behind Ethos Chocolates and the overwhelming reception the product has enjoyed.

Learn more at Ethos Chocolate

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The AAAS Glyphosate Award Controversy

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 05:43:22 +0000

This week the American Association for the Advancement of Science announced an award to two Sri Lankan researchers for their research showing that glyphosate was a “deadly herbicide” that was causing kidney disease in farmers. Of course, I remember some work they did in forming a hypothesis and eventually measuring heavy metals and farm chemicals in urine, but I never recall such a definitive conclusion. Because there was none. The research is what the research is, but AAAS made a huge blunder in allowing a completely incorrect interpretation of the current literature to hit their pages. Of course, now this has blossomed in to a claims of multinational corporate conspiracy of censorship and suppression, when it really was just an organization likely posting what they were told was the actual science.

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Bees Delivering Pesticides

Kevin M. Folta — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 05:00:16 +0000

The relationship between pollinators and crop protection strategies has always pitted them against each other, with concern about how insecticides and herbicides might affect charismatic non-target insects like bees. A new technology by the company Bee Vectoring Technologies rewrites the definition to the relationship. In this approach, bees exit the hive to deliver a fungicide to the flower, a biological control that competes against pathogenic fungi that start their damage early in fruit development. In this episode I speak with representatives from the company about the technology, its application, and its safety with regard to pollinators and the environment.

Company website: BeeVt.com
Follow BeeVT on Twitter: @BeeVTech

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Genetically Engineered Animals- Regulated as Drugs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 15:42:30 +0000

The new techniques in gene editing have made rapid, precise genetic changes possible in animals. Some of the greatest benefits are genetic resistance to disease, generation of less waste, and more rapid growth on the farm. The world has adopted these new techniques and devised sensible and appropriate mechanisms of regulatory oversight. However, in the USA regulation of genetically-engineered animals is cumbersome, and arrests solutions from reaching the field. In short, a GE animal is regulated as a drug, whereas a GE plant is regulated as a GE plant. Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam sets out to correct this discrepancy. She points out the problems with burdensome regulation and how it will affect American scientists and ultimately the American farmer, rancher and economy. As a solution, she requests that you sign the petition below, as she will use your name and interest in changing the rules to bolster her efforts in supporting rigorous, thorough, yet reasonable regulation.

Dr. Van Eenennaam on Twitter: @BioBeef
HERE IS A LINK TO THE PETITION! PLEASE SIGN!

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What We Know vs. What We Think We Know

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 13:05:57 +0000

Researchers and communicators in biotechnology have experienced it for a long time– the people that oppose genetic engineering frequently know the least about it. This observation was studied formally by a group of cognitive and social psychologists. Their conclusion: The people with the most extreme attitudes about genetic engineering also have the least working knowledge about the science behind it. In this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Fernbach from the University of Colorado discusses the results of the study, along with a deeper discussion into the ramifications of these findings as they apply to science communication.

Link to the paper discussed:
Dr. Fernbach’s website: www.philipfernbach.com
Website at University of Colorado:
Here is his book: The Knowledge Illusion: Why we Never Think Alone

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Help Researchers Save Threatened Forests

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 00:01:09 +0000

Our forests are critical to ecology. They sequester carbon from human activity, and serve as great resources for renewable building materials, fuels and recreation. However, our forests are threatened like never before. Rapidly changing climates, human activity, and new pests and pathogens have caused massive change in forest populations over a very short time, with some species driven nearly to extinction. Scientists are poised to meet these problems with modern biotechnology. The problem is that the certification and regulatory bodies that govern the work have great restrictions on the kind of research that may be performed, and they all but forbid any types of genetic engineering. Ancient language installed by activist groups is difficult to overcome, and stops the best tools from being utilized in tree improvement. Dr. Steve Strauss discusses the recent National Academies Report on forests and technology, and introduces a petition for scientists and concerned citizens to sign. The hope is that regulators and certification bodies will maintain rigorous assessment, yet will allow new technologies to at least be considered and tested as scientists search for answers.

Please click here to go to sign the petition.
Read the full petition and related scientific background.
View a press release on the petition here.

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Engineering Indoor Air Cleaning Plants

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 11:05:48 +0000

Indoor air is filled with hazardous trace compounds that arise from flooring, furniture, and even showering. While they pose a minor risk, they are present, and more so in our energy efficient homes. Dr. Stuart Strand has devised houseplants that express a detoxification gene from the human liver. The plants remove these compounds from the air, and may be important contributors to public health in the future.

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Two Critical Updates – Brinjals and Chestnuts

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:47:01 +0000

This week’s podcast features and update on two critical technologies– the Bt Brinjal (eggplant) in Bangladesh and the blight resistant American Chestnut. Both of these were covered in earlier episodes, and an update on their status is long overdue. Dr. Tony Shelton of Cornell University and Dr. Bill Powell from SUNY share their stories.

Follow Dr. Powell on Twitter @ChestnutPowell
Follow Dr. Tony Shelton’s Progress here and download the recent paper here.

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Evolution of Weed Resistance

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 09:44:23 +0000

Weed resistance is a complex problem with incredible ramifications for agricultural production. It also provides an outstanding opportunity to examine how resistance happens– is it continual development of new mutations, new mutations in the same genes, or is it simply spread of already resistant material? Genome sequencing and comparative genomics indicates that it is all of the above. A recent paper by Kreiner et al tells the story of Amaranth resistance and its origins, particularly with presence in Canadian agriculture.

Follow Julia on Twitter @jmkreinz
And here is Julia’s website

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Brockovich’s Deceptive Guardian Article

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 14:19:54 +0000

On December 6, 2018 environmental advocate Erin Brockovich published a high-profile opinion piece in The Guardian. The piece was laced with scientific inaccuracies and inflammatory rhetoric about glyphosate, indicating in no uncertain terms that it causes cancer and is present in just about all food. None of these claims are supported by peer-reviewed literature. Further examination shows that Brockovich is a consultant for the law firm that is managing the class action against one company that manufactures the compound. In this week’s podcast Rob Saik and Kevin Folta sit down and discuss the piece and the sad tale of a powerful voice for environment and consumer protection selling out to non-scientific interests.

Follow Rob on Twitter @RSaik

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Biotechnology Outreach and Extension

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 13:38:49 +0000

Dr. Thomas Zinnen has worked with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service for almost three decades. His principal job has been sharing information about technology with the state through creative programs and activities. He shares his thoughts on communication with the public, along with some excellent examples of how to get non-scientists to implement scientific reasoning.

Follow Tom on Twitter @tmzinnen

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Thoughtful Questions from a Listener

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 05:00:37 +0000

Gary Nolan works in marketing, but enjoys science podcasts, including Talking Biotech. He also frequently blogs about politics, social trends, and science. He finds that he still wrestles with some of the concepts around genetic engineering. This week’s podcast is dedicated to Gary and folks like him– those that want to ask their questions and get honest answers. This week Dr. Kevin Folta answers Gary’s questions about gene editing, transgenic plants and a host of other issues.

Follow Gary Nolan on Twitter @lgcllibertarian
Website : Logical Libertarian

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Careers in Plant Breeding

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 13:21:39 +0000

Plant breeding is an important discipline, and the foundation of plant genetic improvements. While modern techniques like gene editing sometimes steal the spotlight, the foundational varieties must have outstanding performance before such amendments are remotely relevant. Today plant breeders are in high demand, both in industry and academia. Drs. Patricio Muñoz and Marcio Resende are two early-career plant breeders, working on blueberry and sweetcorn, respectively. Both implement the most modern genomics approaches to breeding and selection, with an eye on accelerating production of new varieties. As relatively recent graduates, both provide their insights into the preparation necessary to find a fulfilling career in plant breeding.

Follow Dr. Patricio Muñoz on Twitter @BBerryBreeding
Website : Muñoz Lab, Blueberry Breeding at University of Florida
Follow Dr. Marcio Resende on Twitter @MarcioResendeJr
Website : Resende Lab, Sweet Corn Breeding at University of Florida

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Conflict of Interest

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 13:10:49 +0000

The term “Conflict of Interest” is thrown around a lot these days, mostly to sully reputations or cast doubt on quality research. That perception of what a conflict of interest is, is quite different than what it actually is. Dr. Chris MacDonald is an expert in Conflict of Interest, disclosure and transparency at Ryerson University. We had a great discussion about what a conflict of interest is, how to avoid them, and how to operate in a climate where the term is so frequently misapplied.

Follow Dr. MacDonald on Twitter @ethicsblogger
Read The Business Ethics Blog
The Concise Encylopedia of Business Ethics

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Supporting Farmers, Fighting “Non-GMO”

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 11:06:37 +0000

They are farmers. They also own A&C Liquid Assets, a liquor store in Hoxie, Kansas. Allison and Cole Nondorf saw the Smirnoff commercial where they proudly proclaim that they reject “GMO” seed technology, the same seeds that the Nondorf’s (and most of their community) use on their farms. The idea of selling Smirnoff products when the company brazenly rejects the technology your community depends on, seemed to be incompatible ideas. A&C Liquid Assets pulled all of the products and hopes to bring attention to how companies that support non-scientific, anti-farmer positions need to be called out and not supported.

Please be sure to “LIKE” A&C Liquid Assets on Facebook!

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A Look Into the Future of Technology

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 05:00:22 +0000

The future gets closer every day, and many argue that technology will radically change the world for the better in the next 20 years– if we have the courage to let it. Matt Ward is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and host of the Fringe FM Podcast. He shares his provocative view of how technology is shifting life and priorities, and how the strangling force of regulation stands to slow progress.

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Solving the Animal Feed Problem

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 05:00:13 +0000

What do we use to feed our food? From cattle to fish, livestock require substantial inputs to thrive, and a substantial part of that is their feed. This has measurable impacts from the environment to producer costs. Sam Glickstein of Biotrophics has a solution. Sustainability might be surprising, but he offers an excellent solution.

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Mango Domestication and Diversity

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 05:00:39 +0000

The mango is an incredibly important fruit worldwide, yet little is known about its precise origins or domestication. Today’s podcast explores this important fruit with Dr. Emily Warschefsky, who studied this fruit during her doctoral training. She reveals a surprising background story about this popular fruit.

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Listener Questions; LaCroix Water Lawsuit

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 10:59:34 +0000

Today’s episode is where Kevin Folta answers common questions from listeners. In the second half, we discuss the recent lawsuit against LaCroix and the alleged insecticides used as ingredients.

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Nitrogen Fixing and Corn

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 05:00:16 +0000

Nitrogen is required for plant growth, and is a significant input in terms of cost and environmental impact. While plants are literally surrounded by nitrogen, it is present in the atmosphere in an unusable form. Some plants (like legumes) have the ability to fix nitrogen, converting it from a gas into a form the plant can use. The idea of somehow moving this important trait from legumes (or microbes) to grain crops has long been considered a holy grail of plant biotechnology. However, the problem is much more complex, and after decades of research it has not been possible. But a land race of maize deep in the heart of corn’s domestication region, selected and cultivated by Indigenous People, may have solved this problem. Researchers, led by Dr. Alan Bennett at UC-Davis identified this type of corn that produces aerial roots that exude a clear mucilage. This carbohydrate-dense liquid hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria that render atmospheric nitrogen usable by the plant. The hope is that the study of the genes that control the plant’s association with the microbes, and study of the microbial communities, may bring about new technologies to help crop plants be less dependent on supplied nitrogen.

The article on PLoS Biology
The article at The Atlantic

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Thalidomide- Molecular Mechanism of Action

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 05:00:28 +0000

The drug thalidomide was developed with tremendous promise in managing a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and morning sickness. However, a few years after its common use it became linked to a suite of birth defects, primarily defects in limb development. For almost sixty years scientists have tried to unravel the molecular basis of its action. Dr. Katherine Donovan is a postdoctoral researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University. She was the primary author on recent work that describes the molecular basis of thalidomide-based disorders. Ironically, understanding its roles in developmental disorders also illuminates possible roles in disease treatment, as it is used in treatment of some cancers and may find wider application in the future.

Dr. Katherine Donovan’s website
Follow her on Twitter @kdonovan1008
The Eric Fischer Lab at Dana Farber

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Vanilla Uses, Diversity and Improvement

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 05:00:22 +0000

There is a vanilla crisis. The familiar flavor agent is a mixture of chemicals from an orchid- and there’s not enough being produced to satisfy demand. But Dr. Alan Chambers knows that crisis and opportunity travel together. He is currently engaging in breeding of vanilla orchids, hoping to improve yields and product quality. In this episode he covers vanilla’s natural history, its current challenges in cultivation and future outlook.

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Effectiviolgy – Sharpening Critical Thinking Skills

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 09:52:24 +0000

In framing effective discussions about any subject it is important to understand human psychology, and the mistakes we make in debate. It also is important to understand how ingrained human tendencies shape our perceptions and skew our willingness to accept new information. In this episode Itamar Schatz discusses these concepts, concepts that are the basis of his website Effectiviology. We discuss critical thinking and the issues that cloud discussion like confirmation bias, logical fallacy, and other aspects of logic and reason that sometimes are lost in contentious discussion. The goal is to understand these concepts to make us better communicators about science.

Visit Itamar’s website: effectiviology.com

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Glyphosate Trends in Agriculture

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 05:00:08 +0000

The herbicide glyphosate has been in use for over 40 years. It is non-selective (kills all plants), it is inexpensive and has extremely low toxicity. These attributes made it an important tool for municipalities, farmers, and homeowners. Use increased starting in 1996 with the advent of glyphosate-tolerant (marketed under the brand name “Roundup Ready”) crops, which have expanded in acreage ever since. Rob Saik (@rsaik) is an agronomist with significant experience and accolades in Canadian agriculture. Along with his collaborator Chris Dufault, they compiled and analyzed Ontario government data on glyphosate use, and reported these trends. Rob describes the report and its findings.

Download the report at : robertsaik.com

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Transparency vs. Confidentiality

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 05:00:31 +0000

This last week podcast host Kevin Folta found himself in a difficult predicament. There was palpable outrage by those affiliated with a science website where he participated in some of their activities. Turns out that Folta also did paid work outside of his university job, which is normal. He was retained by a law firm as a special matters expert, someone to analyze some data in a private mediation. He was bound my confidentiality to not discuss the details of the case. The folks from the science website used public records requests to obtain Folta’s confidential internal university documents requesting permission to perform outside work. These are forms where universities approve participation in paid activities beyond the normal job description. Those requesting the documents read details about the confidential work, and then posted a damaging website where confidentiality was broken, and Folta was accused of being non-transparent.
The instance triggered the need for an important discussion. Scientists typically have non-disclosure agreements. Such agreements demand confidentiality. At the same time, we expect them to be completely transparent.

Can we simultaneously honor confidentiality and transparency? Probably not. So how can we be trusted communicators in a space where collaborators don’t want their information shared?

This discussion between Drs. Paul Vincelli and Kevin Folta hopefully will seed a much needed conversation.

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Malaria, Artemisia and Artemisinin

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 05:00:25 +0000

Malaria is a tremendous world health problem, affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the developing (and industrialized) world. One of the most effective therapies is derived from a natural compound produced in the plant Artemisia annua. In this week’s podcast Dr. Ian Graham from the University of York describes the problem of malaria, historical treatments, the use of artemesia and the isolation of artemisinin. Breeding and engineering of plants and microbes to enhance production is discussed.

Link to Prof. Graham’s website.

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Chicken Domestication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 05:00:14 +0000

The chicken is by far the most abundant animal farmed on earth, grown for meat and eggs. But where did it come from? What kinds of birds were domesticated? When? Where? What were the traits that came from wild jungle fowl that give us today’s familiar bird? These questions and more are answered by Dr. Greger Larson from Oxford University. Dr. Larson combines data from genomics, archaeology, and anthropology to reconstruct the ancient history of various animals, illuminating how they became part of agriculture. This episode of explores the fascinating history of domestic chickens.

Follow Prof Larson: @Greger_Larson

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Plant Disease Networks

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 05:00:42 +0000

Plant disease resistance is a complicated arms race between the plant and pathogens. Bacteria, viruses and fungi evolve in lock-step with plants, creating new ways to overcome new disease resistance strategies. Resistance to disease has a foundation in the gene-for-gene model, a model that hypothesizes that plants and pathogens have a molecular relationship with each other that mediates pathogenicity. Today’s podcast features Drs. Lida Derevnina and Chih-Hang Wu, postdoctoral researchers with Sophien Kamoun (@KamounLab) at the Sainsbury Laboratory (@TheSainsburyLab) in Norwich, England. They describe the new thinking of disease resistance as a number of complex layers that integrates many gene-for-gene interactions with other mechanisms in mediating plant defense. Hosted by Paul Vincelli (@pvincell).

This is a link to the article in Science.

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Psychology, Consumers and Decisions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 05:00:48 +0000

Dr. David Just studies human behavior and how psychology ties in with economic decisions. His work at Cornell examines the interesting overlays that cause consumers to behave how they do. In this podcast we examine consumer decisions in food, including a discussion about soft drinks, ketchup, meat, and ingredients from genetically engineered crops. We also touch on the “GMO labeling” issue.

Follow Dr. Just: @DavidJust1
Also follow his podcast discussions at @MadHatEconomics
And download here.

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Aflatoxin, Problems and Solutions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 05:00:50 +0000

Alfatoxins are a significant threat to human health and world food security. They are naturally-occurring toxic compounds produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and other species. These fungi thrive on corn, peanuts, wheat, rice and other food staples, and grow well in stored food supplies. The compounds are potent carcinogens, and it is estimated that billions of people suffer from chronic exposure. Today’s guest is Dr. Peter Ojiambo from North Carolina State University. He describes the current state of the problem and solutions, ranging from biocontrols, cultural adjustments and even modern biotechnology techniques.

Dr. Ojiambo’s website
74 –Safer Foods with RNAi (beating aflatoxin in maize with HIGS)
104 — Postharvest Solutions in Food Security
114 – Aflatoxin and Groundnut

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The Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato in Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 05:00:15 +0000

The 2016 World Food Prize went to a group that coordinated the breeding, promotion and distribution of the orange-fleshed sweet potato in Africa. One of person on the team was economist Dr. Jan Low. The sweet potato grows well in many parts of Africa. It is not the sweet potato known to westerners. It is white and dry, and more like bread than the well known Thanksgiving sweet potato. At the same time there is widespread vitamin A deficiency, especially among children. Could the orange sweet potato help solve a critical micronutrient deficiency? Dr. Low and her team introduced the orange fleshed sweet potato to Africa, breeding them against locally adapted varieties. The new potatoes were introduced with marketing campaigns, helping introduce new populations to this novel product. Soon, the orange fleshed sweet potato was aiding the diet, saving lives, and creating new entrepreneurial opportunities for African farmers and commerce.

Follow Mark: @JanLow1
www.sweetpotatoknowledge.org

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Barley Domestication and Breeding

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 05:52:22 +0000

Barley is an important grain, with prominent roles as the foundation of bread and beer. Dr. Sheila Adimargono shares the interesting stories around barley’s history, the traits that early domesticators found useful, and information about its modern production. The discussion covers everything from the evidence of barley’s origin to modern genomic analysis.

Follow Sheila: @seminisa

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Russia’s GMO Disinformation Campaign

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 08:56:42 +0000

When social scientists examined messaging in new media around GE crops, a few trends became apparent. Surprising evidence emerged that showed that the Russian Federation is actively participating in a campaign, here in the USA, to malign GE crops with a goal of influencing public opinion. In this week’s episode Dr. Shawn Dorius from Iowa State University talks about the recent findings. He describes a literal propaganda campaign designed for English-speaking countries. The apparent goal is to erode public trust in American agriculture, and influence opinion away from technology that Russia does not have. Hosted by Paul Vincelli (@pvincell).

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Seeds of Science

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:39:19 +0000

Mark Lynas believed in his heart that he was doing the right thing. He was joining others in tearing out field trials of GE crops, and effectively arrested research and development around crop biotechnology. He participated in a movement that significantly shaped public opinion that influences policy to this day. But Mark is a scientific author, and when writing about climate change understood the need for rigorous evaluation of scientific evidence. When he applied the same thinking to GE crops, it was apparent that he was not following the evidence – and changed his mind. Mark treats the topic of plant biotech with refreshing nuance, sitting cleanly in the interface of sound science and responsible social application. His book details his journey, and is a refreshing primer for all of us that need to check ourselves for self delusion, and ensure that we are pursuing the truth in our discussions.

Follow Mark: @Mark_Lynas
Order Seeds of Science at Amazon

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Recognizing Dr. Rosalind Franklin

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 05:00:15 +0000

The race to determine the structure of DNA has a dark subtext that is frequently ignored when discussing this seminal discovery in biology. Competing groups at Cambridge and King’s College set their sights on resolving this important question. King’s College recruited a bright young x-ray crystalographer, a scientist that used energy to examine molecular structure. Her name was Dr. Rosalind Franklin. While teams in this old-boy’s network pushed forward, Franklin used her skills to generate data to answer the question. Her data would provide the information needed to determine the structure of DNA. However, she was not credited beyond a tiny footnote, and died at 37 never realizing how her data illuminated the discovery of DNA’s double-helical structure. The story is told by Dr. Mark Lawler of Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Dr. Lawler’s article in The Conversation
Dr. Lawler’s accompanying article in The Irish Times

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Maize, Mexico, and Transgene Flow

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 05:00:55 +0000

Mexico is the center of origin for maize, and there is a substantial interest in protecting the genetic integrity of this limited resource. At the same time Mexico’s population is growing, and farmers potentially find utility in growing genetically-engineered corn, as resistance to insects and lower pesticide use are attractive traits. There is an intricate balance between feeding a population and ensuring farmer profit versus preservation of a genetic resource. In this week’s podcast Dr. Paul Vincelli (@pvincell) interviews Dr. Sol Ortiz Garcia, the Commission on Biosafety of Genetically Engineered Organisms. How much GE maize is cultivated in Mexico? Is it a threat? Is there evidence of transgene flow from imported feed? These are important questions, as the topic of genetic integrity of natural populations is a frequent area of discussion and debate.

Citations on Transgene Flow:
Claudia Colmenarez Ortiz & Sol Ortiz García, 2016. Policies and Regulations in Mexico with Regard to Genetic Technology and Food Security: Country Report: Mexico. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 355. R. Norer (ed.), Genetic Technology and Food Safety, Ius Comparatum – Global Studies in Comparative Law 14, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-23995-8_11. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-23995-8_11
Reynaldo Ariel Álvarez Morales & Sol Ortiz García. 2011. Administrative Systems for Handling Biosafety Issues in Mexico: Emerging Experiences and Lessons Learned. Biosafety Protocol News. 9: 14-15. https://www.cbd.int/doc/newsletters/bpn/bpn-09.pdf
Sol Ortiz García. Biodiversity and International Law in Mexico´s Implementation of the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol in the GMO era: Challenges in Principles, Policies and Practices. Herrera, Juan A., 2010 (Saarbruken, Alemania, VDM) pags.35-84. ISBN 978-3-639-00224-9.
Martha G. Rocha Munive, Adriana Otero Arnaiz, Exequiel Ezcurra, Allison A. Snow & Sol Ortiz García. 2008. A recent survey to detect transgenes in local maize varieties in Sierra de Juarez Oaxaca Mexico. Book of abstracts. 1st Global Conference on GMO Analysis. 107.
Sol Ortiz-García, Exequiel Ezcurra, Bernd Shoel, Francisca Acevedo, Jorge Soberón & Allison A. Snow. 2006. Transgenic Maize in Mexico. BioScience 56:709. https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/56/9/709/262869
Sol Ortiz-García, Exequiel Ezcurra, Bernd Shoel, Francisca Acevedo, Jorge Soberón & Allison A. Snow. 2005. Reply to Cleveland et al.’s “Detecting (trans)gene flow to landraces in centers of crop origin: lessons from the case of maize in Mexico”. Environmental Biosafety Research 4: 209-215. https://www.ebr-journal.org/articles/ebr/abs/2005/04/ebr0605/ebr0605.html
Sol Ortiz-García, Exequiel Ezcurra, Bernd Shoel, Francisca Acevedo, Jorge Soberón & Allison A. Snow. 2005. Absence of detectable transgenes in local landraces of maize in Oaxaca, Mexico (2003-2004). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 102: 12338-12343. http://www.pnas.org/content/102/35/12338
Exequiel Ezcurra. Sol Ortiz-García & Jorge Soberón M. 2002. Evidence of gene flow from transgenic maize to local varieties in Mexico. In LMOs and the Environment: Proceedings of an International Conference.

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Modern Wheat and Celiac Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 05:04:00 +0000

The internet claims that the increases in celiac disease is rooted in modern wheat varieties, as human intervention in plant genetics must be the cause of human disorders. But what does the evidence tell us? In this week’s episode we’re joined by Dr. Senay Simsek from North Dakota State University. Dr. Simsek is a recognized chemist that specializes in wheat composition. Her recent paper in the journal Food Chemistry examines the levels of gluten in modern varieties and compares it to what was present in heritage varieties. The results show that associations between modern breeding and gluten sensitivity are not likely due to genetic improvement of wheat varieties.

Here is the link to the paper discussed.
This is a link to a related review by Dr. Simsek.
And this the review that highlights efforts to reduce allergenicity.

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Food Labeling

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 05:00:14 +0000

Are food labels adding clarity or confusion? Focus groups show that consumer sentiment toward food labels is changing. Colleen Parr-Dekker is the Director of Communications at Elanco. They have performed extensive focus group analysis and consumer surveys to understand how consumers feel about labels and food. The excess of abstract information and claims has left most consumers unsure what labels even mean. Consumers are clueless about terms like “antibiotic free” or “free range”, while companies use these tactics as marketing angles to differentiate their products. Surveys show that terms like “natural” or “organic” are losing influence. The results are surprising!

Colleen Parr Dekker – @ColleenParr

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Engineering Plant Virus Resistance

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 May 2018 04:05:19 +0000

Dr. Devang Mehta has been working in virus suppression in cassava, a key food staple in the Developing world. In this week’s podcast he speaks about the RNAi and gene editing approaches that are used to engineer resistant plants. Dr. Mehta describes the. nuts and bolts and successes and failures in applying new technology, and the things that are learned along the way. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@pvincell).

Dr. Devang Mehta – @drdevangm

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Biotech, Farming and the Developing World

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 May 2018 05:00:14 +0000

Those that live in the affluent countries of the West have little clue of the challenges of farming in the Developing World. In this special episode, Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam (@biobeef) of the University of California Davis interviews three experts that understand food security in their respective countries. Dr. Emma Naluyima of Entebbe, Uganda is a veterinarian that feeds an extended family from one acre of land. She shares her innovative methods and experiences. Nassib Mugwanya of Kampala, Uganda works with the Uganda Bioscience Information Center as an outreach officer. Dr. Marlene Ortiz Berrocal is a researcher in the Centre for Genomic Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. These three experts share their thoughts on biotech innovation and how it relates to food security in their respective nations and worldwide.

Follow Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam – @biobeef
Dr. Marlene Ortiz Berrocal – @MOBerrocal
Nassib Mugwanya – @nmugwanya
Dr. Emma Naluyima – @DrNaluyima

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An Extension Agronomist’s View of GE Crops

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 May 2018 09:43:43 +0000

The Extension arm of the Land Grant University system provides a link between university research and the farm. Extension specialists are professional liaisons that understand pressing issues, and seek remedies in the brain trust of the university. At the same time they communicate university-derived solutions to statewide clientele, providing a critical link that ensures relevance in research and rapid application of new findings. Dr. Chad Lee is an extension agronomist at the University of Kentucky. His central role is in agronomic crops, principally soybeans and corn. His career has coincided with the development and application of GE crops. In this week’s podcast he discusses the on-farm use of these technologies and associated products, and his objective evaluation of their strengths and limitations. Dr. Lee does an amazing job at debunking common myths from a boots-on-the-ground perspective.

Follow Dr. Lee at @kentuckycrops

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Indian Suicides and Farmer Debt

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 May 2018 05:00:25 +0000

The problem of farmer suicides in India is very real, and has been for some time. Suicides are driven by indebtedness, and there are many reasons that farmers find themselves in financially challenging times. In the context of the biotech debates, some of seized on this tragedy and exploit it for political gain, blaming biotech crops for acrued debt. Vaishnavi Tripuraneni is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin. She is from India, and used the opportunity to study the question of farmer debt for her dissertation. She discusses the central drivers of debt from her research.

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Engineering Functional Foods for Human Health

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 05:00:02 +0000

Dr. Monica Schmidt from the University of Arizona has an interest in using technology to make foods that are better for people. Elimination of fungal toxins and enhanced production of key nutrients are two major areas of interest, and she has created lines that clearly are better for human health. She also has an interest in using plants as factories for key proteins and enzymes. Her laboratory’s extensive work is discussed on this week’s podcast. Co-hosted with Cat Cropsey (@CatCropsey).

Dr. Monica Schmidt’s website

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Transgenic Plants and Industrial Protein Production

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 05:00:40 +0000

Many important enzymes, industrial and therapeutic proteins are manufactured using transgenic plants. Plants offer many benefits to protein production over animal cells and microbes for many applications. In this episode Dr. Beth Hood from Arkansas State University and Infinite Enzymes joins the podcast to talk about the history of making proteins in plants, the rationale, and the exciting future. She also discusses why her company uses the corn kernel as the optimum production machine, and their efforts to manufacture the enzymes required for paper pulp processing and biofuel production.

Dr. Beth Hood’s website
Infitite Enzymes website

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Rice Domestication and Diversity

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 05:00:46 +0000

Rice is a world food staple with an incredible story. Dr. Susan McCouch from Cornell University has been studying rice genetics for decades, and directs efforts in rice education in conjunction with the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. This episode features interesting stories about rice origins, early selection, variation and domestication. It is a fascinating look at the details behind an important food crop.

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Insect Gene Drives (Part 2)

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 05:00:27 +0000

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma received her training in biochemistry, and then later found herself working in social sciences. She is now the Co-Director of the Genetic Engineering and Society program at North Carolina State University. Dr. Kuzma speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell) about the social and political considerations of gene drives. She discusses ethics, policy and regulation, as well surprising imperatives where gene drives may be necessary for conservation or human health. This is part 2 of the series. Part 1 discusses the technology and its ecological implications, and may be accessed here.

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma’s bio at https://facultyclusters.ncsu.edu/people/jkuzma/
See the papers associated with the following: A Roadmap to Gene Drives: A Deliberative Workshop to Develop Frameworks for Research and Governance online athttps://research.ncsu.edu/ges/research/projects/gene-drives-grant/

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Insect Gene Drives (Part 1)

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Gene drives are a powerful technology that may be used to control pests. The concepts key off of exploiting genetic vulnerabilities that are rapidly inherited, and cause populations to crash over a short time. Such instances happen naturally, but now scientists are engineering the genetics of pests to induce steep population declines from gene drives. Dr. Fred Gould from North Carolina State University discusses the technology, its risks, regulation and some of the social aspects of application of the science. Interviewed by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@pvincell). This episode is part 1 of two parts, and covers the technology and its ecological implications. The social considerations are discussed by Dr. Jennifer Kuzma in this episode (released 4/7/2018).

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Pandora’s Picnic Basket; Talking to the Public

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 04:16:56 +0000

Over the long history of biotech crops and microorganisms Dr. Alan McHughen has been part of the conversation. His 2000 book Pandora’s Picnic Basket examined the promise and risk of biotech crops. Since then he has been an important voice in helping others separate fact from fiction, and has been a leader in describing and shaping public policy in this arena. In this episode from Denver, CO we discuss the modern manifestations of Pandora’s Picnic Basket. We also sit down with a local woman to listen to her thoughts and concerns about food and farming, simply to understand what people are thinking and who are their central influencers.

Follow Dr. McHughen @mchughen

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USAID, Political Stability and Food Security

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 00:49:58 +0000

Dr. Angela Records joins Chris Barbey to discuss the mission of USAID. USAID is committed to remedies in world food insecurity, with an emphasis on examining current opportunities and meshing new technology and crop biology with the most benficial impacts in global food security.

Follow Dr. Recordss @AngelaRecords

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Why Sweet Corn is Sweet

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 01:55:56 +0000

When we think about corn, we usually think about sweet corn. It is a departure from its cousins that are grown on the vast majority of the acreage, the corn bred for use as animal feed and fuel. Sweet corn was specifically discovered and selected because of its sweetness. But how does a kernel of corn divert the resources used for starch production into simple sugars? Dr. Curt Hannah has been studying starch production over his 45 year career at the University of Florida. Along the way, he interacted with the University of Florida Sweet Corn Breeding Program down in Belle Glade, FL. The discussion covers the genetic differences between sweet corn and corn-corn that lead to sweetness, but also some of the issues with production, breeding, and genetic engineering.

Follow Dr. Hannah at @FloridaCornMan

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Farm Babe Michelle Miller

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 17:27:01 +0000

Michelle Miller grew up in Wisconsin and always had an interest in agriculture. When she reached college she traded in rural life for the big city, working in LA at designer stores and living a big city life. But has Farm Babes go, she would find her way from Rodeo Drive to driving to the rodeo. Since, she has been critical of those that marginalize farmers and farming, and has been a powerful voice for agriculture and associated technologies.

Follow Michelle at @TheFarmBabe
Michelle’s Facebook page

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Disease Resistant Bananas

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:17:33 +0000

The Cavendish banana is the standard banana of commerce, yet it is under threat by a devastating disease that is spreading quickly around the world. Dr. James Dale and his team have identified a banana resistance gene that confers resistance to the disease, and they have shown that it can fortify otherwise susceptible plants. These exciting findings aid food security issues as well as ensure the future of this important fruit crop. Hosted by Chris Barbey @crbarbey

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Fighting the Fall Army Worm

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 16:31:33 +0000

The Fall Army Worm is a moth larvae that is incredibly destructive. It causes widespread crop losses in the Americas and now has been found in Africa. This pest consumes everything in its path, and can travel many miles on the wind. It is believed that this organism could cause widespread famine in Africa. Oxitec has proposed a solution, keying off of its current suite of insect control strategies. Today we speak with Dr. Simon Warner, CSO of Oxitec. He describes the problem and proposed solutions.

Follow Oxitec on Twitter: @oxitec
Oxitec website

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GMOs in Milk, Meat and Eggs? / Edited Animals

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 01:07:03 +0000

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam is arguably the most effective voice in communication about biotechnology, especially in animals. In today’s podcast she makes her third visit to Talking Biotech. In 2017, she and co-author Amy Young published a review of the literature that examined the presence of transgenic DNA or proteins in milk, meat and eggs. The data show that DNA and proteins from plants are digested to their component parts and pose no unusual risk. Milk meat and eggs from animals consuming GE products are no different from the same products from animals on alternative diets.

Follow Dr. Van Eenennaam on Twitter: @biobeef
And Dr. Van Eenenaam’s blog

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Know Ideas Media, Nick Saik

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 04:55:30 +0000

When we talk about food and farming, Nick Saik has been excited to tell the story through the camera lens. Nick has built quite an empire by telling the story of food and farming technology. Please check out Nick’s videos and support his efforts.

This is the Know Ideas website.
Check out Nick’s YouTube channel here.
Follow Nick Saik on Twitter: @nick_saik
Know Ideas Media on Facebook

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Pet Vaccines and Pet Foods

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:08:25 +0000

Other areas swimming in myth and misinformation involve our pets. Domesticated animals are part of our lives, and therefore are frequent subjects of marketing shams and dangerous trends. An animal anti-vaccination movement is alive and well, and a pet food industry is as steeped in half truths, marketing and emotional appeals attempts to skew consumer purchasing trends. This week’s podcast interviews two experts in the area of pet food and vaccination. Dr. Debbie Cottrell a veterinarian and the owner of West End Animal Hospital in Newberry, Florida. She prides herself on an evidence-based practice, and is especially critical of claims that attempt to misinform her clients. Dr. Amy Stone is a small animal veterinarian from the University of Florida with an extensive background in immunology. We had a wonderful conversation about recent trends, hot topics, and the manipulation of pet owners by unscrupulous marketers and ideologs, that sometimes can have negative outcomes for animals and owners.

Visit Dr. Cottrell’s West End Animal Hospital Facebook Page
Dr. Amy Stone’s website

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Haskap Berries; A Lifetime in Plant Breeding

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 00:00:50 +0000

Dr. Maxine Thompson is a trailblazer. With her education and profound interest in plant breeding, she defied a male-dominated establishment and became a plant breeder at a major university. She would establish a decades-long career in plant breeding at Oregon State University, traveling the world on collection missions and making critical selections that define the roots of the OSU Hazelnut Breeding Program, still thriving today. Now in retirement she continues to breed plants, namely the Haskap Berry (Lonicera caerulea), a flavorful fruit slightly different from the blue honeysuckle. We enjoy an inspirational discussion about her training, her career, and the tremendous barriers she faced as a woman in science. We also discuss her current plant breeding interests and the development of the Haskap Berry.

Buy ‘Japanese Haskap’ bushes at Spring Meadow Nursery!
Here’s the link to Stone Barn Brandyworks where they sell Haskap Liqueur!

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Early Plant Transformation; All Creatures Podcast

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 13:08:43 +0000

Dr. Ray Shillito is a scientist that spent the early part of his career in plant transformation, attempting novel approaches in the early 1980’s. It was a time of rapid development of new techniques, and a race to move genes into plants with the goal of genetic improvement. Dr. Shillito shares his memories of that time, and then touches on his recent passion– how to train scientists to prepare better presentations. In the second part of the podcast I speak with Angie Adkin. Angie is a graduate student that hosts the All Creatures Podcast, and we discuss the value of creating new media and the associated career benefits and pitfalls.

Follow Dr. Ray Shillito on Twitter: @Shillito_Ray
Follow All Creatures Podcast on Twitter: @allcreaturespod
All Creatures Podcast on Facebook

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Review, 2018 Directions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 03:56:21 +0000

In 2017 we recorded 53 new episodes, including guest hosts and a great range of outstanding guests. 2018 has some interesting new edges. Kevin and Paul talk about the year in review, and the plans for the future.

End of 2017 with 672,000+ downloads. Thank you for listening and for all of your support.

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Control of Aflatoxin in Groundnut

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 03:13:55 +0000

Groundnut, or peanut, is a major food staple and excellent protein source in many parts of the world. However, since the nut itself develops in soil, it is prone to fungal infection with Aspergillus flavus, the species that produces aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are some of the most potent naturally-produced carcinogens and are thought to be responsible for liver cancer worldwide. In the Developing World fungal infection and toxin production are a problem on fresh and stored food products. Fungicides and other chemical controls are not readily available. Dr. Dilip Shah from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center worked with a team of researchers to devise a multi-faceted plan to protect groundnut from fungal infections. In this week’s podcast he describes two approaches, of how genetic engineering can be used to control the fungus, or its production of the toxin.

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The Tragic Story of Nikolai Vavilov / Science Moms Documentary

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 03:00:56 +0000

Nikolai Vavilov was a Russian scientist in the early 1900’s. He was known for his characterization of plants, understanding crop domestication, and the centers of origin for many species. He traveled the world with expedition parties to identify and characterize plant species. His collections of seed and samples were extensive, and he was noted as one of the great scientists of the time, and understood inheritance while scientists were developing the concept of a gene. However, as Stalin rose to power Vavilov’s work was less appreciated. His Darwinian concepts were inconsistent with the interests of the government doctrine, which would ultimately lead to his imprisonment and slow execution. The story is told by Dr. Jules Janick, Distinguished Professor at Purdue University.

In the second half of the podcast I speak with Natalie Newell, Director and Producer of the Science Moms documentary. The film provides interviews with five different mothers that are forced to navigate a maze of parenting misinformation available on the internet. They also are scientists or science communicators, providing unique insights and analysis of moms tired of attempts of shaming and manipulation, driven by unscrupulous marketers and activists. We also address the claims that it was “all paid for and developed by an agrotech PR firm.

Watch the Science Moms trailer
Science Moms website
Follow Natalie Newell on Twitter; @ncnewell

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BONUS TRACK: Dicamba Situation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 13:06:12 +0000

Podcast 112 was a discussion of the dicamba situation. Since that episode was recorded I attended a conference from the North Central Weed Science Society in St. Louis, and heard more information first hand. I also gave my perspectives in a 20 minute talk. In today’s podcast bonus track I recap some of the discussion. Bottom line, this problem needs to be solved, and the companies that sell the seeds and chemicals better stop pointing fingers. They need to make harmed farmers whole again and fix the technology before suggesting its continued use.

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The Dicamba Situation

Kevin M. Folta — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 02:37:17 +0000

Over the last two years we have heard reports of herbicide damage to Midwestern crops, bearing the signatures of damage from dicamba. Dicamba is an older herbicide, an auxin analog that mimics a plant hormone associated with growth and cell division. This herbicide was made relevant again in soybeans and cotton, which have been genetically engineered to be dicamba resistant, needed because of the increase in glyphosate-resistant weeds. Since the deployment of these seeds, farmers have seen evidence of herbicide damage, opening endless finger pointing and legal gyrations. University extension experts have weighed in. Companies deny wrongdoing. How to sort this out? This episode features guest Karen Corrigan, an independent agronomist that provides boots-on-the-ground assessment of the problem, how it happens, and what is likely to occur in the next steps.

Follow Karen on Twitter: @weedgirl24
Also listen to Karen on Girls Talk Ag podcast!

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Seed Company Consolidation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 01:07:02 +0000

Over the last century there was an incredible rise in the number of seed companies, driven primarily by the profitability of hybrid seeds in regional markets. After the 1980’s, there has been great consolidation in the seed markets, resulting in about a dozen companies selling the vast majority of seeds. The field is dominated by the “Big Six”, several companies that had broad portfolios, that purchased smaller companies in the last decades’ consolidations. The consolidation continues, as large companies are buying each other, concentrating technology and resources in a few corporate hands. Prof. Sylvie Bonny from INRA discusses the concerns and impacts of consolidation, as presented in her recent review in Sustainability.

Download the paper discussed here.
Follow Dr. Vincelli: @pvincell
His blog: Out-of-the-box

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Gene Therapies in Pets

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 01:36:45 +0000

The promises of gene therapy have been slow to reach the public for many reasons. Technologies conceived in the 1980’s had a substantial regulatory and proof-of-concept road ahead of them, leading to slow development and deployment. One of the major issues is that these therapies were designed for humans, where ethics concerns and regulation are a challenge to navigate. However, it is possible to demonstrate efficacy in animals. Emily Mullin is the Associate Editor at MIT Technology Review. She recently covered the application of gene therapy to animals, and now describes its application in veterinary capacities where regulation is much lower than in human therapy.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @emilylmullin
Read her work at MIT Technology Review

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Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 07:07:44 +0000

In this week’s podcast Dr. Jonnny Dalzell guest hosts from Tanzania. He visits with scientists from IITA that are helping devise solutions to nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic soil worms that are difficult to control and require substantial chemical inputs that are not always available and can be hazardous. Uncontrolled nematodes lead to damaged crops, and damage is not always apparent until it is too late. Dr. Dalzell speaks to IITA Kenya scientists Dr. Nessie Luambano, Dr. Danny Coyne, and Dr. Leena Tripathi. They discuss the problem of nematodes, some of the proposed solutions, and some of the frustrations of having good work stalled because of a lack of funding and political will to move them forward.

Follow Dr. Dalzell: @jjdalzell
His website: https://johnathandalzell.com/

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Gene Editing with TALEN

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:09:36 +0000

Gene editing has been the center of attention, affecting everything from plants, to mushrooms, to livestock, to human medicine. However, when we discuss gene editing we typically describe the CRISPR Cas9 system. Such tools have grabbed recent limelight. But churning in the background, the other gene editing methods have been making progress for for years, and products are moving rapidly through pipelines toward approval. Such products will soon be available from Calyxt Corporation. Calyxt Chief Science Officer Dr. Dan Voytas discusses how TALEN, a custom sequence-specific nuclease, functions in gene editing. He contrasts it with the Cas9 system and then describes the company pipeline, with products soon to be on the market. He also discusses regulation of the products derived from TALEN technology.

Calyxt Corporation website and pipeline here.

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Biotechnology in Bolivia

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 01:58:20 +0000

Bolivia shares farming similarities with other South American countries. They have diverse land races and native crops that they wish to preserve. At the same time some wish to take advantage of modern genetic tools. Cecilia Gonzalez was a skeptic, someone that didn’t trust multinational corporations and certainly didn’t trust their technology. As time went on she learned more about the technology and now is an outspoken educator in the area of genetic engineering. Bolivia is at a crossroads. They have an opportunity to become larger producer, and currently are importing corn and other GE crops from Argentina and other South American countries. Activists offer fear of harming land races to stop adoption of the technology. Because of their inability to deregulate GE varieties Bolivia unfortunately cannot compete with other countries, and their farmers suffer the consequences. You can sense Cecilia Gonzalez’s frustration and her love of her country, and the conflict that comes from a desire to implement affordable, sustainable farming to help Bolivians.

Follow Cecilia Gonzalez at @BiotecBolivia
Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincellia @pvincell

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Food Security, Biotech, NGOs and Africa

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 05:00:56 +0000

In today’s podcast we speak with science journalist and author Mark Lynas. Mark has been a central figure in the discussion of biotechnology, particularly in regard to its role in ensuring food security in the Developing World. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s you could find Mark destroying test plots of genetically engineered crops. Later he would reconsider his view, and support the technology, especially as it can be applied to help issues of food security. Mark discusses the situation on the ground in Africa, the various threats to production, the innovations that can address them, and the resistance toward adoption of new technology.

Follow Mark Lynas at @mark_lynas

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Biotech and Ugandan Food Security

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 02:50:39 +0000

Uganda is at an interesting precipice. They have invested in biotech solutions to solve problems in their central food staples, namely the matooke. The matooke is a starchy banana, and while a cornerstone of the diet, it is threatened by disease. Most people are farmers, and tend to ‘gardens’ of 2-3 acres, these are subsistence farmers that use the gardens to feed their families. Xanthamonas bacterial wilt can destroy entire stands of trees. But scientists in Uganda have used breeding and genetic engineering to generate genetic lines that stop major diseases. The sad part is that the improved plants are not allowed to be distributed due to the lack of a national biosafety law. The second part of the podcast is an interview with Dr. Clet Masiga. He is a trained crop scientist, but also a farmer, and I spoke to him on his farm about the needs of Ugandan farmers, changes in policy, and broken down cars.

Most of all, you need to understand that providing the best technology to people in need is simply justice. Justice.

The music is from the Musical Well on YouTube, and features traditional Ugandan music.

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Postharvest Solutions in Food Security

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 02:48:41 +0000

Simple solutions can sometimes have tremendous impacts. In this episode Bret Rierson from the World Food Programme discusses a solution to enhancing food security in Africa and around the world. Most African farmers are small acreage subsistence farmers. They eat and trade what the produce. A simple hermetically-sealed, in-home grain silo can protect a harvest from insects, preserving the yield for longer term use, or sale in more favorable market windows. This solution can aid in the transition from subsistence farming to surplus farming. This simple solution changes the lives of those in need, and ensures food security throughout the developing world.

YouTube video of the postharvest solution.
Follow Bret : @BrettRierson
Follow World Food Programme: @WFP

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RNAi Crop Protection Strategies

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 00:06:39 +0000

The evolution of weed and insect resistance to traditional controls has brought about the need for new approaches in crop protection. Today’s guest is Dr. Doug Sammons (@wiltedweeds) is a biochemist from the Monsanto Company. He has spent a career in understanding mechanisms of herbicide action and resistance, and now discusses new approaches using RNAi to enhance weed sensitivity to herbicide treatment. The result is better weed control and decreased need for herbicide treatments. Hosted by Sarah Sheppard (@sarahsheppdawg) and Lauren Benoit (@laurendalyce).

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Restoring the American Chestnut

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 00:02:04 +0000

The American Chestnut dominated the Appalachian landscape, ranging from Georgia all the way to Maine. In the late 1800’s a pathogen imported on a tree to the Bronx Zoo spread rapidly into wild populations, destroying millions of trees, and radically changing the forest. There are natural sources of resistance to the pathogen that are being introduced to the American Chestnut with traditional breeding. Transgenic solutions have also been developed. Dr. Jared Westbrook is leading breeding efforts to integrate the multiple types of resistance with the hopes of restoring this important tree in North American ecology.

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Genetically Engineered Diamondback Moth

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 11:39:55 +0000

The diamondback moth is a formidable agricultural pest, causing tremendous losses on farms and requiring significant cultural and chemical-based management on both conventional and organic farms. Dr. Tony Shelton has studied the diamonback moth for decades, and now has initiated the first open field trails of a genetically engineered sterile insect technique that could be a helpful solution. Dr. Shelton discusses the potential risks, benefits, promises and pushbacks from proposing this technology.

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Kevin Folta’s Research and SciComm

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 02:37:19 +0000

Any podcast’s 100th episode is reason to celebrate. In Talking Biotech’s 100th episode Chris Barbey interviews its originator, Dr. Kevin Folta, Professor and Chairman of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida. They discuss the current research efforts in Folta’s lab along with his science communication efforts and how activists have reshaped his career– simply because he spoke about science.
Also, his new roles in science communication.

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Glyphosate and Human Health

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 06:21:27 +0000

The herbicide glyphosate has been used for over 40 years and is a relatively safe and effective method to control weeds on the farm, in municipal areas and around the home. It has been approved for safe use by many countries and evaluations by multiple independent governments have declared it to have minimal risk when used as directed. However, glyphosate is the compound used on some genetically engineered crops. Activists have targeted this compound in an attempt to limit the use of genetically engineered crops, claiming that it is dangerous, even carcinogenic. This, despite zero evidence indicating that it is carcinogenic, and no mechanism of action that would promote cancer. Today’s podcast interviews pediatrician Dr. Dan Goldstein from the Monsanto Company. Dr. Goldstein is a physician that works for the company, particularly in the area of health and safety associated with their products.

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Domestication and Radiation of Cats

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 11:21:01 +0000

Modern cats are a lot like their wild counterparts, with specific traits that were gained through domestication. Prof. Eva-Maria Geigl is a paleo-geneticist who examines ancient DNA sequences from mummified cat remains, and has reconstructed a genetic history of modern cats. Genetic evidence explains their origins and radiation, as well as key traits associated with human relations.

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Environmental and Economic Impacts of Biotech Crops

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 08:40:10 +0000

The annual report by agricultural economists Brookes and Barfoot is a helpful resource to understand the impacts of agricultural biotechnology. The peer-reviewed report is dense, and contains substantial information about crop use, yields, production statistics, and ag input use worldwide. It is a tremendous resource for hard data for discussing crops and the crop protection chemistries used. Today’s podcast is an interview with Dr. Graham Brookes, the lead author of the report. We discuss international technology adoption, pesticide use, weed control, carbon benefits, and effects on land use.

Website: PG Economics
The Report Discussed: Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996–2015: Impacts on pesticide use and carbon emissions

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Biotech Regulatory Affairs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 12:03:36 +0000

Regulation of new technology in food crops is important for many reasons. It is critical to ensure safety, but a robust regulatory system also shapes consumer sentiment. Today’s guest is Dr. Robert Potter. Dr. Potter has a diverse background spanning from molecular biology bench skills through participation in many nodes of the regulatory system. He explains the importance of regulation and how regulation is performed in the Canadian system. Other topics, like the Bt brinjal, are also discussed. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli : @PVincell

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Imaging Animal Behavior / Targeted for Your Science

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 12:12:22 +0000

Understanding animal stress is important for many reasons. If we know how the animal brain responds to change it helps us understand habitat destruction and climate effects on population dynamics, and can provide important information about human impacts, adaptation, and animal conservation. Understanding the animal neurological and physiological response to stress in models translates well to other animals, including humans. This week’s podcast is a discussion with Dr. Christine Lattin, a postdoctoral researcher in the Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Center at Yale University. Dr. Lattin examines stress responses in house sparrows using live imaging so that birds can be studied over and over through time.

However, Dr. Lattin has become a target of activists that have engaged malicious, personal attacks against her and her research. The harassment has intensified into very personal acts of defamation and intimidation for this early career scientist. We discuss the extreme measures she takes to ethically conduct her research and how her own personal reconciliation of how animals are important to research. We then discuss what it is like to be the subject of an activist defamation campaign and personal attacks, and how to not just survive it- how to turn it into something positive.

The discussion is powerful and emotional, and hopefully will stir further awareness of how scientists are attacked because of their research.
Dr. Christine Lattin’s Twitter: @C_lattin
Her website: www.christinelattin.com

PETA wages a vicious attack on Dr. Christine Lattin.

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Bioactive Small RNAs (and the cool paper that wasn’t)

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 03:45:50 +0000

Back in 2012 a paper rocked the scientific community. The claim was that small RNA molecules in dietary plant products could escape digestion, move through the bloodstream, and cause regulatory changes in animal physiology. The concept was that the food we ate could change gene expression in new, unexpected ways. For those of us studying the literature this was a great breakthrough that seemed impossible– but we all desperately wanted it to be true. It would open a new area of science and great new avenues of inquiry– possibly even changing the way we approached human disease.

But as time moved along our hopes faded. Papers were published suggesting that the results were artifacts, more icons of potentially sloppy lab practices than revolutionary results. This week’s guest is Dr. Ken Witwer from Johns Hopkins University. We sat down and waxed fondly on the 2012 paper and how it has failed to live up to the hypothesis it presented. The episode of the podcast covers RNAi, how it works, and how this proposed mechanism was plausible but unlikely, along with the data that support/do not support it.
The punch line is that no matter how much we want new science to be true, rigorous analysis usually sorts out reality from fiction.

Dr. Ken Witwer’s Twitter: @KennethWWitwer

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Ben and Jerry’s Roundup

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 13:53:16 +0000

A story exploded in the New York Times claiming that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and a potent herbicide, was detected in 10/11 flavors of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. The anti-biotech universe propagated the story, implying a dangerous threat from this historically socially responsible product. There are several important questions here.

*Is this an appropriate way to report scientific findings?

*Are the results reliable?

*Why was Ben and Jerry’s targeted by this activist effort?

Today’s podcast is a conversation with Dr. David Oppenheimer, a professor who understands the science of the technology. Lactation and milk specialist Dr. Shelley McGuire also discusses the appropriateness of the publication and the methods actually required to make such claims. The story is a fascinating discussion of how we should report science, tied to how activists are now apparently using the media to destroy the reputations of brands that do not capitulate to their demands.

Also linked stories by Kevin Folta:
Ben and Scary’s or Bogus News Scoop?
Ben, Jerry, and the Organic Consumers Association: Tonight You Sleep with the Phishes

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Abiotic Stress Resistance in Soybean/Regulation Consequences

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 06:00:58 +0000

Dr. Sabina Vidal is a professor at the National Republic University in Uruguay. Her lab is interested in the genetic improvement of soybean, especially in response to abiotic stress. This episode talks about her journey, her lab’s approaches, and about the strangling regulations that stop innovation from being implemented. The over-reaching regulatory burdens eliminate the possibility of researchers in Uruguay from being able to release their own solutions, leaving Uruguay (a country where almost 100% of income comes from ag) farmers to plant seeds from large US companies. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli Twitter:@Pvincell

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Early Molecular Biology / Nobel Laureates’ Social Mobilization

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 13:32:48 +0000

Today’s genomics explosion has foundations in seminal discoveries in molecular biology almost 50 years ago. Today’s guest, Sir Richard Roberts, was a pivotal figure in a number of these areas. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1993 as a co-discoverer of the intron, a part of many eukaryotic genes that contains no protein-coding function, yet can have important roles in a gene’s structure as well as mRNA stability and processing. He shares his memories of the methods that led to the discovery of introns and restriction enzymes. In the second part of the podcast he discusses the important role of the Nobel Laureates as agents of social change. As decorated experts, the Laureates have provided leadership in a number of social issues, including pressing for application of biotechnology application.

Hosted by Chris Barbey, Graduate Student in the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at the University of Florida.
Twitter: @ChrisRBarbey

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Collateral Neonic Impacts

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 06:00:03 +0000

Neonicotinoids (neonics) are a class of insecticides based on natural plant compounds that disrupt the insect nervous system. They are used because they have relatively low toxicity on non-insects. They are applied as seed coatings, so when a seed germinates the water-soluble insecticides are taken up and mobilized throughout the plant, providing protection against insects that feed on it. The strategy decreases the need for aerial spraying of broad-spectrum insecticides.

Because of these attributes, neonic use has increased significantly. As usual, when a single strategy is employed there can be collateral effects. Dr. John Tooker from Penn State University describes his work on today’s podcast. Dr. Tooker examines a situation where the reliance on neonics has led to problems with other pests. This reminds us that integrated pest management is important, that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and that we have to exercise care in monitoring unanticipated effects of insecticide use.

Dr. Tooker’s website
Follow on Twitter: @jftooker

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de novo Domestication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 11:52:17 +0000

Domestication Dr. Lazaro Peres De novo domestication also has the potential to expand genetic diversity in crops, potentially conferring additional roles in food security.

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Food Evolution, the Movie

Kevin M. Folta — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 02:13:20 +0000

The representation of crop biotechnology in film has been an asymmetrical assault on science and reason. Food Evolution breaks that trend. The film tells several stories of biotech applications, where “GMO” crops are the centers of policy decisions. The film features scientists standing up for science and reason, and activists working hard against it, pushing to influence policy even if it means hurting people. Today’s podcast features two interviews. First Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam speaks of her role in the discussion and the film. Later, Director/Producer/Writer Scott Hamilton Kennedy and Producer/Writer Trace Sheehan speak about the mission of the film and some of the surprises along the way.

Most of all, this is not a film about GMOs. It is a film about how humans make decisions, ignore experts, and let belief guide their actions– even with horrible consequences to others. Narrated by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson.

To arrange a screening or to learn where it is playing near you: www.foodevolutionmovie.com

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Glyphosate Risk and the IARC Decision

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 12:24:56 +0000

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, has been used as a non-selective (kills all plants) herbicide since 1970. It blocks a necessary step in plant metabolism and the plant dies, yet it has lower acute toxicity than table salt to animals. It is inexpensive, and a small amount works well, with rapid turnover in the environment. For this reason it has been widely used in municipal, agricultural and residential applications for decades. Glyphosate sales increased upon the advent of genetically engineered crops. Some of these crops were engineered with a gene that circumvents the toxic effects of glyphosate on the plant, so the herbicide kills weeds but not the plant itself. The technology has been widely adopted and is popular with farmers. The chemical has been tested and approved but government agencies all over the globe. Hundreds of studies have concluded that it is extremely safe when used as directed. However, there is a movement afoot that has targeted this compound with misinformation, including the claim that it causes cancer. This is almost exclusively predicated on the decision of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that described glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen” based on a few barely significant data points, while ignoring higher-quality data. Dr. Len Ritter is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and an Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph. He is an expert in human toxicology and has followed the glyphosate story for decades. In this episode of Talking Biotech we discuss the historical assessments of glyphosate safety, the well-described risks, and the IARC decision.

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“Know GMO” the Movie

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 04:18:27 +0000

The documentary space is filled with disparaging films about food science, including those that target biotechnology. Many of these films feature artistic flair, and tell a compelling story through the lens of the camera– even if it is not true. Filmmaker Nick Saik applies his craft to in the development of a science-based documentary about the use of technology to feed more people, more nutritious food. In this conversation, he discusses his motivations, his philosophies and release plans for the movie.

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Biotech, Forest Restoration and Conservation

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 09:24:00 +0000

Forests are under many threats, from new pests and pathogens, to invasive trees, to climate. The advancement of these traits by far exceeds the natural response of trees to acclimate, and outpaces the efforts to traditionally breed trees for forest conservation and restoration. Dr. Ellen V. Crocker is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky. She talks about the current threats to forests including sudden oak death, chestnut blight and the emerald ash borer. She also discusses efforts in integrating new biotech tools in forest improvement, including genetic engineering, speed breeding, and gene drive approaches. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell).

Learn more about Dr. Crocker and the Forest Health Research and Education Center at the University of Kentucky here.
Forest Health Research and Education Center Facebook page here.

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Crop Genetic Engineering- History and Outlook

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 May 2017 06:00:19 +0000

While the technologies of genetic engineering are quite commonplace, it was not always the case. The scientists that blazed the trail hold tremendous history, and it is good to visit with them to understand where the technology came from and where it is going. Dr. Maurice Moloney was there in the beginning, working with Calgene and some early issues in transgenic crops. He also has served as a leader in some of the world’s preeminent plant science institutions. Dr. Moloney provides interesting and valued perspective about where we have been and where the science is going.

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Controlled Environment Agriculture

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 19 May 2017 20:32:31 +0000

In the race to feed 10 billion people by 2050 some agricultural production will shift to where people live. The idea of vertical farms or repurposing urban space for agriculture is becoming increasingly feasible, as lighting, cooling, and automation advances are more and more efficient. These concepts are being explored worldwide. The International Congress on Controlled Environment Agriculture met in Panama City, Panama, and it was a great opportunity to interview the experts about how to grow crops in limited space.

Interviews with David Proenza, Chris Higgins, Leo Marcelis, Chieri Kubota, and Ricardo Hernandez.
The conference website may be accessed here.

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GE Crop Regulation in Uruguay

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 May 2017 17:37:09 +0000

Uruguay is a major producer of soy and corn from genetically engineered seeds, with over 2.5 million acres in production. Dr. Paul Vincelli talks about the regulatory framework in Uruguay with Dr. Alejandra Ferenczi, Head of Biosecurity with the Ministry of Agriculture in Uruguay. The regulatory system of Uruguay involves many levels of regulation and input to evaluate the safety of the crops. Dr. Ferenczi discusses how multiple regulatory bodies perform risk analysis, risk assessments and communication around GE crops. The discussion also covers issues of food safety, risk, and public perceptions.

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Potatoes; Past, Present and Future

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 07 May 2017 14:47:24 +0000

In the industrialized world the potato is defined as one of a few varieties of tuber crops. But there is tremendous diversity available to be exploited, and potato breeders are folding that into modern germplasm using a variety of methods. Dr. David Douches from Michigan State University describes some of the current efforts in traditional potato breeding. The history of potato improvement is discussed, along with the efforts to introduce genes from wild populations that can improve cultivated varieties. These traits are mostly centered around color, disease resistance and nutrition. We also discuss efforts going on in the broader potato world, using genetic engineering to improve disease resistance and storage, both which could be of benefit to the developing world and the environment.

Dr. Douches program in potato breeding and genetics at MSU can be accessed here.

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Sweet Potato, Nature’s GMO

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 04:33:15 +0000

The sweet potato has special seasonal or fast-food application in the industrialized world, but in many parts of the world it is an important part of the daily diet. The sweet potato is botanically distinct from the standard solanaceous potato, and stands to have additional application as a nutritious food for new populations. Dr. Jan Kreuze is classically trained in plant virology and has practiced his craft in potatoes. He is currently working at the Center for Potato Improvement (CIP) in Lima Peru, near the center of potato diversity. He discusses what a sweet potato is, its natural diversity and some of its genetic oddities. The podcast concludes with discussion of a natural horizontal gene transfer that could be the basis of domestication.

Dr. Kreuze’s PNAS paper is here.
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Technology and Society

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 12:46:28 +0000

The issues of biotechnology benefit from examination from social scientists. There are scientists that help define the social reaction to science and the way that scientists need to communicate issues in technology. Dr. Matthew Harsh is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Engineering Technology at Concordia University in Montreal Canada. The discussion talks about the interface of natural sciences and social sciences, and how discussions can affect policy. Tips are also provided for how to better interact with the public. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli.

Dr. Harsh’s website is here.

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Specialty Crops (Fruits, Veggies, & Nuts!)

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 04:34:05 +0000

What are Specialty Crops? These are the crops of the produce aisle, fruits, vegetables, nuts. These are high-value crops that receive relatively little research funding compared to other types of the big-ag crops, things like corn, wheat, sugar and soy. Helena Bottemiller-Evich is the Senior Food and Ag Reporter for Politico, and asks the question, “Why is the government not putting more funding into the foods we are supposed to be eating?” Helena discusses the paradox of funding for fruits and veggies and shares great stories of iceberg lettuce, post-harvest packaging, tribal thinking, and how we communicate topics like biotechnology.

Helena’s March 8 Article– The Vegetable Technology Gap
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Cancer Immunotherapy

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 06:41:43 +0000

The newest and most promising therapies for challenging cancers are adopting molecular-biology strategies. Brain tumors are especially problematic because of their location impedes patient function and presents formidable barriers to surgical treatments. But new molecular approaches show promise. A series of new techniques from viruses genetically trained to attack the tumor, to genetic modifications of immune cells, to new types of monoclonal antibodies represent a few of the new tricks researchers are now deploying in the fight against these deadly conditions. Dr. Duane Mitchell is a Professor at the University of Florida. He is a neurosurgeon that is discovering and refining the leading edge of next generation therapies. In today’s podcast, he shares his expertise in explaining the new types of technologies and the potential promise they may bring.

Website: Dr. Duane Mitchell and the UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program

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Transgene Flow

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 06:09:27 +0000

This week’s podcast is an important discussion, a cautionary tale of what can happen when genetically-engineered crops are introduced to the environment. Circumstances may lead to release of the transgene into sexually compatible wild plants, leading to its persistence in non-crop species. Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith from Oregon State University has analyzed gene flow in grasses, and was the perfect match for understanding the issue of gene flow from genetically-engineered, roundup-ready, creeping bentgrass in Oregon. Her work has detailed how a genetic engineering plan to aid the consumer resulted in unwanted environmental impacts. Dr . Mallory-Smith’s work demonstrates that transgene escape and gene flow need to be carefully considered when establishing trials and during deregulation of GE crops. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli.

Website: http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/content/carol-mallory-smith
The paper discussed can be accessed here.
Follow Dr. Vincelli on Twitter: @PVincell

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Food Truths- Debunking Myths, Celebrating Abundance

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 01:38:05 +0000

Hormones, antibiotics, GMOs… A trip to the grocery store is a battle against fear and guilt. From marketers to activists, there is a concerted effort afoot to use fear, shame and guilt to shape consumer food choices. Sadly, this is happening at a time of unprecedented abundance, yet a time when farmers are facing difficulty in competing against low prices and endless regulation. Michele Payn is a popular speaker and author that is here to talk about her book Food Truths. The book analyzes the hot areas of public controversy, and uses scientific evidence and on-farm common sense to separate fact from fiction.

Twitter: @Mpaynspeaker
Website: Cause Mattters
Buy the book: Food Truths from Farm to Table

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Decreased Fungal Food Toxins with RNAi

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 02:51:39 +0000

Aflatoxins are trace compounds produced by certain fungi, and represent a legitimate food safety risk. These fungi grow on corn, peanuts and other crops, especially in warm, humid areas that lack fungal control measures. They have been connected to numerous human diseases, primarily liver cancer, but also cause problems in livestock fed contaminated grain. Dr. Monica Schmidt of the University of Arizona has a good solution. Her team has expressed an RNA sequence in corn that matches the genetic sequence in the fungus. Upon invasion, the fungus takes up the RNA from the corn, and it shuts down the genes required for aflatoxin production. There are no effects on the corn kernel itself. This work shows that safer food could be produced by arming the plant with genetic defenses it could implement in fighting fungal contamination and the toxins it produces.

Dr. Schmidt’s lab website

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Agriculture, Butterflies and Bees

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 12:37:57 +0000

The effects of farm insect controls on butterflies and bees are important to understand. Dr. Ric Bessin is an Extension Professor from the University of Kentucky is an entomologist that has studied this relationship. The discussion covers GE crops and monarch butterflies, habitat loss, and host plants, as well as the relationship between bees and insect controls. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli.

Dr. Bessin’s website is here.
Follow Dr. Paul Vincelli @pvincell

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Your Questions Answered

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 14:02:05 +0000

We get lots of comments that the favorite episodes are when Kevin Folta answers your questions about food, farming, and genetic engineering. Not to disappoint, this entire episode is dedicated to your questions.
Except for the update on the “GMO Corn Experiment“!! With special guest Vern Blazek

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The Farmer Voice in Social Media

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 04:51:30 +0000

How do biotech seeds affect the end user? If you listened to the “experts” they’d tell you that farmers were forced to buy seeds they didn’t want, because companies controlled their farms.

Tell that to Rob Sharkey. Rob is a farmer in Illinois that has been growing traited seeds his entire life, or at least as far as he can remember. He’s become an outstanding advocate for agriculture with a great podcast, hordes of loyal followers, and a wonderful grasp on how farming actually works.

We need more voices like Rob. Think about ways we can help you amplify your message.

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Pears; Speeding Tree Production

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 01:51:10 +0000

Pears are favorite tree fruits, yet they are limited in varieties and availability. Dr. Amit Dhingra from Washington State University explains the roots of pear domestication, its improvement, and why we see so few varieties. In the second part of the podcast we explore some of the problems with creating new groves or orchards– where do we get more trees? How can we do it faster? He has started a company that addresses this important issue.

Follow Dr. Amit Dhingra @aamitdhingra

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Fighting Plant Viruses with RNA – and Clay!

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 01:57:01 +0000

There are no compounds that can be sprayed to fight plant viruses, so plant protection requires managing the insects that spread them. This means use of insecticides that cost money and have potential impacts, such as affecting non-target insects. Scientists have successfully used RNA-based strategies to fight plant viruses, but that has been through use of transgenic approaches where genetic material of the virus is expressed by the plant cell, triggering resistance. Dr. Neena Mitter uses a different approach. Her team has successfully suppressed viruses with sustained resistance using RNA delivered with clay-based nanoparticles. The approach suppresses the virus, and now is being translated to field trials. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli.

Dr. Mitter’s website is here: https://qaafi.uq.edu.au/profile/279/neena-mitter
Follow Dr. Paul Vincelli @pvincell

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Brassica oleracea – The Dog of the Plant World

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:13:19 +0000

Did you know that broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage are all the same species? Just like dogs are highly-diverse members of the same species descended from a common ancestor, the members of Brassica oleracea also share a common genetic origin. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. J. Chris Pires and his graduate students Makenzie Mabry and Shawn Abrahams from the University of Missouri. We discuss the genetic origins of these crops, their evolution and genetic improvement trends.

Follow them on Twitter at @KenzieMabry @AbrahamsRS @JChrisPires
and via the website https://pires.biology.missouri.edu/

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The National Academies Report on Genetic Engineering

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 01:04:44 +0000

The National Academies of Science is one of the most respected scientific organizations on the planet, composed of well-established scientists and other scholars that perform important functions in vetting scientific claims and steering scientific agendas of a nation. Every several years the NAS commissions a review of the literature on genetic engineering in crop plants. Over the last several years the NAS appointed a diverse group do perform the 3rd such comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Fred Gould was the Chair of that group, and speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli about the charge to the committee and some of the outcomes.

The report can be downloaded for free here.
Follow Paul Vincelli at @Pvincell
Follow the Talking Biotech Podcast at @TalkingBiotech

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Adjusting Plant Defenses to New Pathogens

Kevin Folta — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 14:55:27 +0000

Following on last week’s episode, plants contain a family of genes called “R genes” that play important roles in resistance to disease. They are part of an evolutionary arms race between plants and pathogens. Matt Helm is a graduate student at Indiana University in Roger Innes’ lab. They are working on reworking the networks that sense pathogens, hoping to adapt their sensitivity to threats not innately sensed. In other words, putting different different bait on the mousetrap in the interest of catching a different pest with the same hardware.

Follow Matt at @Mattdhelm
Follow Kevin Folta at @kevinfolta

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Plant R Genes and their Applications

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 12:03:35 +0000

Plants contain a family of genes called “R genes” that play important roles in resistance to disease. Plants and pathogens exist in an evolutionary arms race, each developing new means to attack or defend against the other. Professor Jonathan Jones has been at the forefront of R gene biology for decades. How to plants use these specialized molecules to detect a pathogen? How do pathogens evade detection? How can these genes be mixed and matched between plants to create new varieties resistant to disease? Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli.

Follow Dr. Jones at @jonathandgjones
Follow Dr. Paul Vincelli @pvincell

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Communicating Effectively with Critics

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 15:08:06 +0000

When we discuss new technology with the public, there is inevitable fear and push back with at least a fraction of those we are trying to reach. How we address this is critical to our own credibility. Jay Baer is an author and consultant in customer service and marketing. He has written the book Hug Your Haters, a book that outlines the value of criticism and the proper ways to address it. These concepts are especially important in the days of social media. These tips from marketing translate well to science communication, as we attempt to share science with an oftentimes skeptical audience.

Follow Jay at @jaybaer
Blog at www.jaybaer.com
www.convinceandconvert.com

Follow Kevin Folta : Twitter @kevinfolta
Professional Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/kmfolta/
Lab website: www.arabidopsisthaliana.com
All funding: www.kevinfolta.com/transparency

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Effective Science Communication in 2017

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 05:00:43 +0000

I’ll always remember 2016 as an eclectic mix of hell and success. We learned a lot about how to engage the public and got lots of practice. We took a lot of heat, suffered lots of personal and professional damage and defamation. We got through it by telling the truth, being soft, and enjoying a conversation about science with the world’s experts. Ultimately the efforts led to wonderful recognition that maybe provided a better conduit for the message.

But what can we do better in 2017? Today’s podcast provides that guidance. What are the resolutions we can make now that can serve as helpful guidelines in improved communications in the new year? With guest Dr. Paul Vincelli @Pvincell

Follow Kevin Folta : Twitter @kevinfolta
Professional Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmfolta/

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DNA Evidence and Dog Domestication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:55:05 +0000

Experts agree that dogs have evolved from the gray wolf, but after that there are many questions and debates about how and why they became our prized companions. Prof. Greger Larson applies the lessons of evolution, archaeology and genomics to describe the canine lineage and describe this progression. There are many inferences and surprises along the way, and DNA from dog fossils is shedding light on this interesting question.

Follow Prof. Larson at @Greger_Larson or www.palaeobarn.com
Also, Chelsea Boonstra and The Boonstra Report.

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Terminator Genes! and High School Biotech Outlook

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 06:02:36 +0000

Discussion of biotechnology risks and benefits frequently cites “terminator genes” as a reason to oppose the technology. The fear is that these plants contain genetic information that can release widespread plant sterility, leading to the demise of the planet. However, there is much more to the story. The inventor of the technology, Dr. Mel Oliver, describes why the technology was devised, and how far it moved toward application.

In the first part of the podcast, Florida high school students were interviewed about biotechnology. These were students that just completed a certificate program in biotech, and they share their thoughts about the technology and how it fits with their values and long-term aspirations.

Also, Chelsea Boonstra and The Boonstra Report.

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Toward Sustainability: A place for GE in organic production?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 06:00:00 +0000

Dr. Mark Williams has extensive training in molecular biology. He also is interested in sustainable crop production, and leads training in organic production at University of Kentucky. In this interview he speaks about the intersection of these areas, touching on how what have been treated as disparate approaches really fit well together. Dr. Williams touches on gene editing, food labeling, environmental impact, and how education efforts need to focus on sustainable agriculture using the best tools going forward. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli

Also, Chelsea Boonstra and The Boonstra Report.

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Engineering Efficiency in Photosynthesis

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 00:06:13 +0000

Increasing efficiency in photosynthesis has been one of the desired goals of plant biology. A recent paper in the journal Science presents work by a team led by Dr. Stephen Long from the University of Illinois/University of Lancaster. By overexpressing three genes in tobacco, the plants were able to increase carbon assimilation, showing that there are mechanisms to improve the process. We discuss the paper, but also its extensions into food security, climate change and future fuels. Dr. Long’s website is here and his Gate’s foundation project is here.

Dr. Long also had strong ties to Dr. Sharon Gray, the UC Davis postdoctoral researcher who we tragically lost in a horrible situation in Ethiopia. Her family has developed a memorial fund to raise support toward scholarships for women in science. Please consider a donation, even a small one. If everyone downloading this podcast contributed even a few dollars the fund could almost double. I’d love to see it hit $1 million and provide beautiful impacts to others, to honor the memory of Dr. Gray.

https://www.gofundme.com/SharonBethGray

Also, Chelsea Boonstra and The Boonstra Report.

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Important Clarification on the Glyphosate/Groceries Episode

Colabra — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:36:00 +0000

The last episode contained information about glyphosate that was allegedly detected in common grocery store items. Today’s podcast is an important follow up.

At the time the discussion was 100% correct based on the methods and information provided. I have since been contacted by the laboratory that did the testing. I’m confident that their numbers were reported correctly, as described on their analytical reports. So is there herbicide detected in parts per billion? Looks like it could be in some cases, is correctly detected with reliable quantitation in other cases, and in other cases it is not detected (still could be there below limit of detection).
What it means again is that we are very good at detecting something that almost isn’t there, and you’d need to eat billions of boxes of Cheerios to reach a physiologically perilous level of the herbicide.

It also means no reason for alarm. The levels are amazingly small, and are a testament to outstanding detection– and are not the poisons as described. This clarification also underscores the importance of peer review. When methods are incomplete, and controls like organic products are coming back positive– it suggests that there are serious issues with the measurements.

So the question shifts again to the ethics of activist groups that attempt to scare parents with minuscule non-zero numbers. That is the conversation we must be having.

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Glyphosate in Groceries; Hops! The Flavor of Beer

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 16:20:49 +0000

In the first part of this week’s podcast you’ll learn how to debunk a viral claim. There are repeated claims that glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup, is detected in a plethora of food, beverages and body fluids. The reports are designed to scare people, especially targeting parents that are concerned about the food they feed to their families. This week a glossy brochure surfaced making claims that glyphosate was detected in Cheerios, Oreos, organic snack foods, and many other common groceries. However, this was not a legitimate report from a peer-reviewed journal and should not be given much weight. Nonetheless, a well-meaning Snopes a response that gave the report undue credence. Fortunately they corrected the record.

The second part of the podcast discusses hops, the flavor element of beer. Where did it come from, why did people start using it in beer? These questions and others are discussed with Dr. Shaun Townsend, a plant breeder that creates new varieties for the craft brew industry.
Dr. Townsend’s website: http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/group/hop-breeding

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Corn Origins and Domestication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 01:55:14 +0000

Corn. It ultimately has a role in so much of what we eat. From a sweet corn cob on the 4th of July, to the calories that made the steak possible, to fuel in our gas tanks, to the sweetness in a soda, corn is a central player. This week’s podcast is an interview with one of the world’s leading experts in corn genetics, Dr. John Doebley from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Doebley is the world’s leading authority on the genetic events that made modern corn, the individual steps in domestication thousands of years ago, that can be traced back to discrete changes in DNA.

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Teaching Biotech with Journey of a Gene

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 08:55:21 +0000

The processes of biotechnology can be a bit of a black box, and that does not help further its understanding or acceptance. Journey of the Gene is an interactive, multimedia resource that can aid in explaining the process of genetic engineering. This week’s podcast features Dr. Don Lee, one of the central developers of the resource. From teachers, to ag producers to extension professionals, this interactive web resource details the process of genetic engineering using the example of solving soybean disease Sudden Death Syndrome. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell).

Website: https://ge.unl.edu/journey-of-a-gene/

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Nutrition in the First 1000 Days

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 05:24:03 +0000

Beginning at conception, a new human’s development and long-term health are critically dependent on the availablity of proper nutrition. The right nutrients at the right time can have profound impacts on individuals, but also have effects on whole societies. Today’s guest is Lucy Martinez-Sullivan, Executive Director of 1000 Days. She talks about the critical need for pre- and neo-natal nutrition, and how our scientific and social interventions can reshape the lives of many.

Website: http://thousanddays.org/
Twitter: @thousanddays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/First1000DaysIreland

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Peanuts; Talking to Family about GMO

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 11:10:57 +0000

The peanut is a valuable crop for American farmers and is extensively cultivated worldwide. It is an important source of protein and healthy oils. At the same time the public is concerned about peanut allergies and aflatoxins. What is the reality, and how is technology coming to the rescue to address these problems? Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins is a Professor and peanut expert at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus, and she talks about past and contemporary issues in peanuts. In the second part of the podcast I talk about communicating concepts in genetic engineering with family and friends. How do we reach people we care about that have been tainted by non-scientific opinions? We can do that, but it takes following a strategy.

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Eggplant Origins and Diversity; Thoughts of Dr. Borlaug

Kevin Folta, Mark Chapman — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 06:08:26 +0000

The eggplant (brinjal, aubergine) is a curious fruit in western nations, but is an important staple for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Today’s podcast discusses the eggplant with Dr. Mark Chapman from University of Southampton in the UK. Dr. Chapman has examined the domestication and evolution of the eggplant, discussing its natural variability and the use of molecular tools to study relatedness between the diverse land races. The second part of the podcast shares Dr. Indra Vasil’s remembrances of Dr. Norman Borlaug.

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17 Questions About Glyphosate

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 04:35:50 +0000

Talking Biotech #52 visits with Iida Ruishalme, cell biologist, author and blogger. Iida is a trained scientist that writes the blog Thoughtscapism. Recently she published a comprehensive assessment of the frequently-asked questions regarding the glyphosate herbicide. Her thoughtful discussion was the basis of today’s discussion.

Follow Iida in all of her social media areas:
Blog: thoughtscapism.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Thoughtscapism/
Twitter: Iida Ruishalme @Thoughtscapism, https://twitter.com/Thoughtscapism
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/iidadragon/thoughtscapism/
and Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Iida-Ruishalme

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Weed Killer in Vaccines?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:29:22 +0000

Today’s episode is born of frustration. Fear-mongering non-experts are abusing improper interpretations from an available herbicide detection kit to make claims that herbicides are now found in vaccines. Namely, they seek to find glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. They use a kit you can buy on the internet, but fail to use it in the way it is designed. Instead of using it on water, they use it on complex mixtures that yield false positives that are interpreted as legitimate signals.

So to push back I want to provide you with the information you need to discuss these topics with confidence. This topic has no guests. I reached out to the folks making the claims as well as the company that makes the product, and nobody wants to join the conversation. It is simply me talking about the claims, the assay, and how you can help debunk the bad information that pollutes this important public discourse.

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How to Make a Plant from a Single Cell

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 14:59:08 +0000

One of the most important steps in genetic engineering a plant is the process of regenerating an entire new plant from a single cell that contains the new genetic instructions. The process is as much art as science. Dr. Indra Vasil was a pioneer in this area, especially in monocots, the plants we think of as our major grasses and grains. In this interview Dr. Vasil discusses the early days of plant tissue culture, and his contributions to the process that makes genetic engineering of crops possible. Dr. Vasil shares his experiences and talks fondly of the many scientists that supported his work, as well as the need to get students to think outside the box.

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Watermelon Domestication, Breeding and Party Tricks; Your Questions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:05:44 +0000

The dog-days of summer are a perfect match for watermelon. This podcast discusses domestication, breeding and interesting stories of where this magical fruit came from, and where it is going. Dr. Cecilia McGregor shares her knowledge of the origins of this important dessert crop, along with interesting facets of how it is used by other people around the world. She also ventures into “endless amusement” with watermelons.

In the second half, I answer the many questions that came in over the internet this week!

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Eggplants, Brinjals and Aubergines

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 06:00:25 +0000

One of the amazing success stories of genetic engineering is the eggplant, known as the “brinjal” in Asia and the “aubergine” in Europe. In the west it is occasional table fare, yet in many parts of Asia it is a daily staple. Farmers in Bangladesh and India rely on doses of old-school insecticides to protect their crop, up to eighty a season, and not always with appropriate protection equipment. The problem is insects that bore into the plant and into the fruit, destroying a crop.

One solution has been the use of the bacterial protein known as “Bt”, only that the plant produces itself to protect it from insects. It is the same protein used in corn and cotton in other countries, including the USA. The new eggplant lines have been wonderfully accepted, and poor farmers in Bangladesh are making excellent profits from this technology, while making safer produce.

The story is told by Dr. Tony Shelton, Professor of Entomology with Cornell University in Geneva, NY. The story has captured the interest of many, including science journalist and filmmaker Dr. Hidde Boersma. Dr. Boersma has a Ph.D. in microbiology, and appreciates the potential contributions of genetic engineering. He has captured the story of the eggplant in a beautiful documentary called Well Fed. The documentary tells the story of the farmers that grow the plant, and the well-fed Europeans that change their attitude toward the technology when they see the beautiful ways it can benefit people.

Website for Dr. Tony Shelton here, but this is the website to the Bt Brinjal project.
Website for Dr. Hidde Boersma here
This link is Hidde Boersma’s beautiful prelude to the documentary, sharing much of the same footage.

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Genetic Engineering, Extension and Communication

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 06:21:53 +0000

Those of you that follow social media know Dr. Paul Vincelli. He’s a visible contributor to the discussion on genetic engineering, but also ventures into discussion of climate change. So how do scientists learn to rethink their approach to public hot-button topics to be effective?

This has been a question for scientists for a long time, as we perennially fail to connect well with the public.

Podcast Resources:
* Genetic Engineering and Sustainable Crop Disease Management: Opportunities for Case-by-Case Decision-Making, http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/8/5/495
* Are Biocontrols for Plant Diseases Safe to Humans?, https://vincelliblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/26/are-biocontrols-for-plant-diseases-safe-to-humans/

Follow Dr. Vincelli on Twitter (@Pvincell)

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Genetics of Depression; Women and Science

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 05:27:17 +0000

Talking Biotech Podcast #46 was a lot of fun. My co-host is the effervescent Kiona Elliott, a wonderful undergraduate student in my lab that not only is studying science, but she’s also studying how to communicate with public audiences. The main guest is Dr. Ashley Winslow, Director of Neurogenetics at the Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. We discuss the results from her recent paper in Nature Genetics that used voluntary public information from 23 and me to identify areas of the genome that may contain genetic markers of clinical depression.

Dr. Winslow also discusses life as a driven woman scientist, and some of the unique challenges she faced in pursuit of her current position. She also provides excellent guidance for young scientists… and there’s a bit of a surprise!

Co-hosted by University of Florida undergraduate Kiona Elliott (@kionaelliott)

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Viral Threats to Coffee

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 12:39:39 +0000

Talking Biotech #45 discusses the viral threats to coffee. We’re joined by Dr. Michael Goodin, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology from the University of Kentucky. Coffee viruses are important threats to sustainable production. They are spread by insects, so insect control is a critical aspect of their spread. Dr. Goodin talks about the unusual molecular aspects of the virus, plus the reasons he enjoys researching coffee, as it is a high-value crop that helps farmers in the developing world, and is a product enjoyed by people worldwide.

Nat Graham is a Graduate Student in the University of Missouri Biology Department.

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Indian Farmers Suicides 2, Your Questions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 12:51:44 +0000

Talking Biotech Podcast #44 continues Kavin Senapathy’s interview with Dr. Ronald Herring. Dr. Herring is a Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. Dr. Herring is a social scientist that has carefully studied the situation in India. This is the second part of the interview discussing the myths and facts surrounding Indian farmer suicides, a popular narrative in anti-genetic-engineering circles. Professor Herring provides first-hand illumination of the topic, from his experience in India, and scholarly examination of the facts around the topic.

In the second half of the podcast Kevin Folta answers questions submitted from the Facebook page.

Kavin Senapathy is a science writer and mom, who frequently writes for Forbes and other venues. Her twitter handle is @ksenapathy

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Indian Farmer Suicides

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:52:30 +0000

In discussion of genetically engineered crops there is frequent reference to farmer suicides in India. Claims are made that Indian farmers build massive debt for cotton seeds, they become beholden to Monsanto for the money, and then kill themselves. This story is repeated ad nauseum by Vandana Shiva and others that exploit the untimely deaths of farmers for political gain, and to foment anger against biotechnology. Today’s podcast features Dr. Ronald Herring. Dr. Herring is a Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University. Dr. Herring is a social scientist that has carefully studied the situation in India. Guest host Kavin Senapathy interviews Dr. Herring and provides perspective of a first-generation Indian-American in the discussion.

Kavin Senapathy is a science writer and mom, who frequently writes for Forbes and other venues. Her twitter handle is @ksenapathy

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The National Academies Report Summary

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 15:17:04 +0000

The Seralini Rats make an appearance a the NAS Report Summary.

A report on Genetically Engineered Crops was commissioned by the National Academies of Science, and a committee was convened to review the current literature. The committee also considered testimony of experts, including self-described experts. A wide range of opinions were considered.

This week’s podcast summarizes the findings of the committee, along with specific questions to Dr. Neal Stewart, a member of the NAS committee.

The podcast concludes with Dr. Stewart’s song on genetic engineering. You can read more about his philosophy of how science and music mesh here.

The NAS Panel member presentation was edited, mostly to remove crowd noise or references to slides you can’t see in an audio podcast.

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Innovations to Fight Citrus Disease

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 15:57:01 +0000

If there was anyone that could be dubbed a science wizard, it might be Dr. Jude Grosser. Dr. Grosser has made a career of edgy innovation, creating new solutions that define the forefront of genetic improvements in citrus. He has mastered unconventional techniques that produce new variants of trees (both their scions and rootstocks) that bring improved production quality to Florida’s fresh fruit and orange juice industries. Currently he is a key strategist in the fight to save Florida citrus, where some of his solutions are being trialed, and don’t face the regulatory impediments of “GMO” citrus trees.

Dr. Grosser’s Website

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Genetic Engineering Forests

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 12:59:18 +0000

Dr. Steve Strauss is a Distinguished Professor of Forestry at Oregon State University. He has been at the forefront of forest biology and genetic engineering of trees, contributing greatly to the understanding of fundamental tree biology, as well as the development of techniques and tools to perform genetic engineering in tree species. We discuss the many opportunities in tree breeding, as well as the limitations and other challenges.

Please follow Dr. Strauss on Twitter: @shstrauss

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What a Plant Knows

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 00:13:45 +0000

It is so wonderful to share the time with Prof. Danny Chamovitz. He’s an accomplished researcher, a successful Dean, and leader in Israel’s agricultural research enterprise. He discusses his book, What a Plant Knows and describes plants as beings in tune with their environments, planning to adapt to change on demand. He’ll change your perspective on plants for ever. He also talks about his lab’s research and the climate toward biotech in Israel.

We’ll also take a look at Miles Greb’s comic, After the Gold Rush, a science-based comic that emphasizes its scientific precision in telling a compelling sci-fi story. It is more sci than fi. Check out @GoldRushComic.

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GMO Cheese; Nat’l Academies Review

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 28 May 2016 10:29:29 +0000

Chipotle proudly serves it. The Vermont GMO labeling rules exempt it. Still 95% of cheese is manufactured from enzymes created through recombinant DNA technology. These GMO-derived enzymes are tremendously beneficial to the process. Young cow stomachs are not needed and the prices are lower because the enzymes are abundant. Levi Gadye is a graduate student in neuroscience and science writer. He recently wrote an article on cheese enzymes in Gizmodo, and joined us in talking about cheese. Kavin Senapathy co-hosts.

In the second part of the podcast I cover the continued FOIA requests for my emails and do a quick review of the National Academies of Science scholarly review of genetic engineering released last week.

QUICK NOTE: The recording now is different than the original one posted. It turns out that there was a factual error. Our guest stated that dairy cows gave birth to offspring that are “probably immediately euthanized”. After consulting with an expert in animal cooperative extension it was resolved that male and female offspring of dairy cows are raised 12-14 months before being moved into beef production. I wanted to follow up on that before posting and forgot. The podcast stands corrected.

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Gene Editing Virus Resistant Pigs

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 21 May 2016 06:00:53 +0000

The African Swine Fever Virus is a devastating pathogen that leads to fatal disease in domesticated swine. Scientists at the Roslin Institute led by Prof. Bruce Whitelaw have made an important advance for domestic pig health and welfare. Wild African pigs like warthogs do not get the disease. Researchers at Roslin have studied the genes associated with viral infection, and found what is likely a critical difference between the wild and domestic pigs. Using new gene editing technology, the change in wild pigs has been created in domestic pigs, and they will be tested for resistance to the virus this year. This example is one of may that is coming in animal, plant, and fungal genetic improvement through gene editing.

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Citrus Domestication, Breeding & Challenges

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 14 May 2016 06:00:25 +0000

“Citrus” is a term applied to a variety of popular and nutritious fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes. Citrus breeders are tasked with improving the varieties, which takes decades. Still, great progress has been made in fruit improvement. However, over the last twenty years a disease called Huanglongbing, or “HLB” (also known as “citrus greening”) has emerged in the USA and threatens the citrus industry. Today the focus is how to grow improved citrus varieties that can survive this insidious disease. Dr. Fred Gmitter is a seasoned citrus breeder that has produced improved fruit varieties, but also is working to identify new varieties to combat HLB.

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Exploring the Unnaturally Delicious

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 07 May 2016 06:29:23 +0000

This week the Talking Biotech Podcast shares an intriguing discussion with Dr. Jayson Lusk. Dr. Lusk is an agricultural and food economist at Oklahoma State University. He has analyzed many facets of consumer choices, consumer behaviors, and the potential costs of policy change in agriculture. More importantly, he is a sought after speaker and author, sharing his expertise and experiences in many industry and public forums. He is a prolific author, and his books The Food Police and Unaturally Delicious are written for a familiar audience and contain interesting and colorful stories about the past, present and future of food technology.

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Strawberry History and Improvement; Favorite Sites

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 22:56:59 +0000

Strawberry is a popular fruit with tremendous commercial value, and while everyone loves a good strawberry, are they actually getting better? This week’s podcast talks to Dr. Jim Hancock, strawberry breeder from Michigan State University. Dr. Hancock explains strawberry’s wild history, from cultivation by indigenous people in Chile, to colonists moving them around the world, to spies taking them home to the king. Modern challenges and solutions to sustainable production are discussed.

In the second part of the podcast professional speaker and agvocate Michele Payn-Knoper (Cause Matters Corp.) talks about effective ag communication and her favorite places to find good information on science and agriculture.
Foodinsight.org — geneticliteracyproject.com — thefarmerslife.com — Foodie Farmer

“My Favorites Things” cover by Gyu-Ho Lee. Amazing guitar work on YouTube under gyu5730.

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A Weed Solves a Crisis

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:15:52 +0000

Could the lowly dandelion solve a crisis? If Key Gene CEO Dr. Arjen van Tunen and associates are correct, this yard pest may be the basis of sustainable and highly profitable rubber production. A growing middle class worldwide has produced a need for high-quality rubber, mostly for tires. Rubber tree (the genus Havea) plantations in Southeast Asia are threatened by climate change, disease, and sustainable harvesting is costly and labor intensive. However, the dandelion produces latex, just not in huge amounts. Scientists at KeyGene have identified a high production version in Kazakhstan and combined its genetics with those of the larger, common dandelion. The result is a plant that could revolutionize the rubber industry and provide a new high-value, easy-to-grow crop for farmers. Environmental impacts are also discussed. In the process, the scientists at KeyGene also identified genes related to apomixis, the ability to produce seeds without fertilization, essentially clones of the parent. Understanding these genes could dramatically change agriculture, as any plant could potentially be made to produce clonal seeds from the mother plant.

In the second part of the podcast, correspondent Vern Blazek talks to Dr. Curt Hannah who answers a listener question about corn varieties and just how much genetic variation there is in modern modern hybrids.

Plus some thoughts on the Borlaug CAST Agriculture Communications Award
The audio at the end can be found here, along with a corresponding video.

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In Search of Celiac-Safe Wheat

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 01:11:46 +0000

Dietary reactions to wheat are on the rise, and science is grasping for answers. One approach to work around the genetic basis of the reaction, and that is well understood. With that information, scientists like Dr. Chris Miller at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center are searching for innovative solutions. Current concepts seek to breed modern wheat with other historical varieties featuring low reactivity. Future methods suggest that genetic engineering and gene editing might be especially effective solutions to the problem.

Co-Hosted by Kevin Klatt, Graduate Student in Molecular Nutrition, Cornell University Twitter: @Nutrevolve

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Coffee Origins, Breeding and Challenges

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 05:21:03 +0000

When we think of the plants that are important to us, we might think right past the magical shrub that gives us coffee berries. Coffee underpins major economies in the world, has an interesting history, and its sustainable production is threatened.

We’re joined by Hanna Neuschwander from World Coffee Research. Hanna describes what coffee is, its natural history, species in the wild, and breeding efforts to improve coffee. We also discuss the major challenges that stand to harm coffee production in the future.

Hanna Neuschwander World Coffee Research
worldcoffeeresearch.org – website
worldcoffeeresearch – facebook
@WCoffeeResearch – Twitter
@wcoffeeresearch – Instagram

Hannah Neuenschwander (Co-Host)

@hannahaggie2014 – Twitter
@texanmeetsmidwest – Instagram
www.texanmeetsmidwest.com – Personal blog
https://www.facebook.com/texanmeetsmidwest/ – Facebook page for blog

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Glyphosate in Breast Milk and Wine?

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:54:33 +0000

Recent unpublished reports are popping up on the internet that suggest that the herbicide glyphosate is showing up at dangerous levels in a variety of places. These range from breast milk, to beer, to wine, to potato chips. There are a number of laboratories and kit manufacturers that are excited to provide a means for such analysis. In the hands of the untrained, such kits and data are nothing more than in invitation for misinterpretation or misuse.

In this week’s podcast we talk to two experts that routinely measure rare compounds. Dr. Shelley McGuire discusses her findings as a lactation specialist, describing the results in her recent paper on glyphosate in breast milk. Dr. Thomas Colquhoun speaks about the methods and kits, along with what the alleged findings in wine really mean.

Twitter @mcguiresmiguire
Thomas Colquhoun’s website

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Banana Disease and GE Solutions

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 14:19:12 +0000

Dr. Leena Tripathi is a leader in banana biotechnology, working at IITA in Nairobi, Kenya. She has been publishing prolifically on a number of solutions for banana disease resistance using genetic engineering. In this episode of Talking Biotech she discusses the disease threats to banana production in Africa, and the solutions she has identified. She also touches on the social climate, farm structure, and attitudes toward the technology. You’ll hear many thoughts that will surprise you!

Twitter @@IITA_CGIAR

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All About Bt!

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 11:40:17 +0000

If you tell a stranger that something called “delta endotoxin” is as close as it gets to a miracle, they’d likely respond in one of two ways. They’d either want you to seek counseling, or find out if they can get it injected into their faces. Humans have love-hate relationships with toxic compounds, and delta endotoxin, or “Bt toxin” is no exception.

This natural protein is toxic to a specific suite of pests, namely caterpillars that consume ag crops. It has been understood for decades and is widely used in organic farming.

It also is the protein used to protect corn and cotton from insect damage, and now is being used in eggplant in Bangladesh. The use of this natural insecticide has massively cut the use of broad-spectrum insecticides.

Today on the podcast it is a pleasure to talk to Dr. Fred Perlak. Dr. Perlak worked with Bt from the beginning. From understanding its role in insect physiology to identifying the gene, to helping introduce it to plants, he knows this topic as well as anyone. We discuss history and applications.

In the second half your questions are answered.

Twitter @FredPerlak

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Cherry Domestication and Breeding, Herbicide Beer?

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 13:01:17 +0000

Cherries are a perennial favorite fruit. However, they are a tree, so their genetic improvement is slow. Episode 27 features Dr. Amy Iezzoni, as she discusses cherry genetic origins and efforts to improve cherry through traditional breeding.

In part two, your questions are answered, namely questions about reports of glyphosate in urine, breastmilk and Germans.

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The Story of GE Papaya, Helping People Save an Industry

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 16:03:07 +0000

The story of how genetic engineering saved the Hawaiian papaya industry gets lost in the discussion of agronomic crop uses of the technology. This story is important because this is not just a story of technology. It is the story of people.

Joni Kamiya tells the story of growing up on her family’s farm and the changes that came with the virus and how the genetically engineered saved production of this traditional crop for their family.

Follow Joni on Twitter at @HIFarmersDtr, and her blog at hawaiifarmersdaughter.com

The second part of the podcast visits with Cornell plant virologist Dr. Dennis Gonsalves. He studied papaya ringspot virus in the 1970’s and 1980’s, designing clever solutions to treat the disease that plagued the industry in his home state. Into the 1990’s he teamed with others working in genetic engineering to develop a solution for papaya. While the first half of his interview is about the disease and the techniques used to solve it, the second half is about the satisfaction of being a kid growing up, going to university, studying under brilliant and kind supervisors that taught him to think about science, but to also think about people.

This is a wonderful interview with a warm and charming wayward Hawaiian boy that returned home to rescue an small-farmers growing a traditional crop in the place he loves. He also touches on how activists derail technology deployment, and how public-sector scientists need to step up in efforts to create products and engage the public.

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Beautiful GMOs and the Not-So-Dirty Dozen

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 03:50:54 +0000

In today’s Talking Biotech Podcast the first guest is Keira Havens. She’s the CEO of Revolution Bio, a company turned non-profit that is interested in using the power of plants to introduce the public to the power of genetic engineering. They have found good public support for genetically engineered flowers, and hope that this technology is a gateway to a broader understanding of the technology. In part two, Dr. Natalia Peres talks about the EWG’s Dirty Dozen, especially as the concept applies to strawberries. Strawberries are EWG’s #3 “dirty” fruit on their agenda, and Dr. Peres tells the facts about the pesticides used and their relative risks. Spoiler alert– your strawberries are safe, right out of the field!

Revolution Bioengineering = @revolutionbio
Natalia Peres, strawberry pathologist

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Biotech & Tomato Breeding – Social Media on the Farm

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 08:35:54 +0000

Improving plants with biotechnology is not just genetic engineering, it is using tools of molecular biology and genomics to guide traditional breeding strategies. In this episode Dr. Harry Klee from the University of Florida discusses how the Plant Innovation Center utilizes such strategies to breed tomatoes with superior flavors. In part two, University of Manitoba student Chelsea Boonstra discusses how a classroom assignment turned into a social media sensation, and became the public face of her family’s dairy operation. We discuss the role of the farmer as a trusted source of ag information, and the importance of telling their stories using online media.

Dr. Klee’s website – Here’s where you can get tomato seeds for a small donation to the breeding program!
The Garden Gem Facebook Page On Twitter: @kleelab
More Chelsea Boonstra: Chelsea’s Boonstra Farms Video on YouTube On Twitter: @cboon6 or @forevrfarmgirl

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Innovative Approaches of the Future Farm Project 2050

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 13:28:32 +0000

Several weeks ago there was a request for Talking Biotech Podcast to interview Prof Graeme Martin. Prof Martin has a long career in animal reproductive biology, and in recent times has had more focus on how to test new strategies in supporting livestock, crops and the nation’s resident biodiversity. His “Clean, Green and Ethical” approach to animal production dovetails with novel strategies to sustainably raise crops in no-till systems as part of the Future Farm 2050 Project. The discussion describes some simple, logical, low-cost techniques to increase crop production with less impact on the environment and in the context of minimal water resources. This was a wonderful interview that jogs out-of-the-traditional thinking to address key issues in farm sustainability going forward.

Please visit (and Like!) the Future Farm 2050 Facebook Page

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Cassava 2, History, Domestication; Biotech Virus Resistance

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 13:32:12 +0000

Biotech innovation in cassava is necessary to speeding genetic improvement of this food staple. Together with breeding efforts, the new resources derived define new crops that primarily serve the developing world. Yet the Western world knows so little about cassava. This episode of Talking Biotech is part two of the series on cassava genetic improvement. Dr. Barbara Schaal speaks about its genetic origins, migration and domestication. Dr. Nigel Taylor describes the extensive work ongoing at the Danforth Center on cassava, and focuses on installation of virus resistance.

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Solutions for Cassava – Biofortification and Characterizing Disease Vectors

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 19:39:48 +0000

Cassava (Manihot esculentum) is a critical world food crop, the third most consumed staple outside of rice and maize. It is even more critical because it is a vigorous plant that grows well in challenging areas. The crop feeds close to 800,000 people worldwide, mostly in Africa, South America and Asia.

Production is challenged by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Viral diseases move quickly through growing regions, vectored by whiteflies. The starchy tuber also lacks key nutrients.

This Talking Biotech episode features Prof. Herve Vanderschuren from the University of Leige. He is part of a team that has engineered key enzymes into cassava to enable the production of Vitamin B6, a key nutrient. The second part speaks to Dr. Laura Boykin, a scientist using bioinformatics tools to characterize the whitefly pest that spreads the devastating viral diseases. She also speaks passionately about the people of eastern Africa, and presents a palpable mission to bring them the technical tools and computational know-how to address their continent’s pressing food problems.

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An Experiment You can Do With Us; Sugar Beet Breeding and Biology

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 13:06:10 +0000

This eThis episode of Talking Biotech invites you to be the investigator and data collector. The internet is littered with images that claim animals will not eat GMO corn, which is curious because 80% of it goes to animal feed. We have arranged to test that hypothesis through Biology Fortified. If you visit this URL you can make a donation and receive a kit that you can use to generate data for this effort. The podcast discusses the experiment and the acquisition of 2000 lbs of corn to do it! The second part is Dr. Lee Panella talking about the domestication, biology and breeding of sugar beets. For such widely used, versatile and profitable crop, we know so little about it. Dr. Panella provides some new insights into this important agronomic crop.

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The SciBabe Talks Toxins; Your Questions Answered

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 15:46:41 +0000

Today chemophobia rules supreme. From fast-food establishments to farming critics, everyone seems to be an expert, except the experts!
Talking Biotech #19 features The SciBabe, Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe). She has experience in the chemical industries and a background in applied toxicology. This is a light-hearted discussion of “toxic”, what it means, and what we really need to worry about. In the second part, Kevin Folta answers your questions, covering Dr. Don Huber, IARC and glyphosate, using his slides for your presentations, and student tracts in science communication.

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Insecticides, Herbicides, Organic and Conventional Ag

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 15:12:09 +0000

The topic of “pesticides” is the new frontier in the opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Opponents of the technology blame new genetic improvement methods for perceived increases in chemical controls for plant, animal and fungal pests. However, scientists argue that our pest control strategies are increasingly focused, less toxic, and work better. This episode features an interview with Dr. Steve Savage. He is a life-long expert in chemical control of insects and weeds, and has practical experience in evaluating both organic and conventional strategies.

He joins us on Talking Biotech to clarify many of the concerns about pesticide usage.
Dr. Savage on Twitter: @grapedoc
His Blog: Applied Mythology

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Biotech, Ag and Insects; Promoting Art with Science; Barbara on the Bill

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 19:54:13 +0000

This week we’re joined by Richard Levine, communications director for the Entomological Society of America. We discuss bees, butterflies, insecticides and some of the current issues in crop protection from an entomological perspective. We then turn to the idea of promoting artwork using a science podcast, and the important effort to get Dr. Barbara McClintock on the ten dollar bill, replacing some guy. We discuss the barriers to her participation in science, and describe why she would be such a fitting presence on our currency– not just because she was a woman, not just because she was a scientist, but because she broken down barriers.

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Biotechnology in Uganda; Reflections on a Public Discussion

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 16:37:55 +0000

This week features two discussions with fellows serving in the Global Leadership Program of the Cornell Alliance for Science. The first part is a discussion with Nassib Mugwanya, Outreach Leader for the Ugandan Biosciences Information Center. He discusses the state of biotech solutions in Uganda, both in terms of critical needs and the current pipeline. The second part is a discussion about the public Ask Me Anything event that was held near the university where I served as a panelist. Jayson Merkley is another Fellow in the program. We discuss the surprises and the lessons learned in the event.

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Tomatoes! Innovative Breeding and a Biotech Solution

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:08:07 +0000

This episode is an introduction to tomatoes, popular fruits that provide great variation to the eye and palate, as well as the foundation of many recipes. Surprisingly, tomatoes are fragile fruits and the plants can be difficult to grow. They are under constant attack from pests and pathogens, and new varieties must deliver profits for growers and beautiful, flavorful fruits for industry and the consumer.

Tomato improvement is happening in several ways. Dr. Sam Hutton is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center outside of Tampa, FL. Dr. Hutton is a traditional breeder that uses molecular tools to speed development of new cultivars for Florida growers. He talks about the origins of tomato, it’s domestication, and the current breeding priorities. He also discusses the challenges to the industry and future opportunities.

The second part of the podcast is Dr. Diana Horvath form Two Blades Foundation. Dr. Horvath discusses the BS2 transgenic tomato. The plant has been engineered with a gene from pepper that confers resistance to bacterial diseases. These diseases profoundly affect yields, and require use of anti-microbial compounds in both conventional and organic production. Adoption of the BS2 tomato could increase yields for farmers, decrease production costs, and require fewer pesticides.

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Biotech Solution to Citrus Greening Disease; Your Questions Answered

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 17:51:48 +0000

This week’s Talking Biotech features discussion of Huanglongbing (HLB) also known as Citrus Greening Disease. The disease is devastating Florida citrus, and is causing a massive hardship on the State’s iconic industries. We are joined by Ricke Kress from Southern Gardens Citrus, one of the largest producers and processors. Southern Gardens has experienced massive losses from citrus greening, losing over 800,000 trees. They are now in the process of deregulating the first genetically engineered citrus variety. A gene from spinach moved to citrus trees confers tolerance to this disease, and the plants are asymptomatic and productive so far. This is another excellent example of how these technologies, developed by small companies or universities, can solve issues that help ensure future delivery of fresh, healthy fruit.

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Kevin Folta — Monsanto Outreach Support, FOIA, Transparency

Kevin M. Folta — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 20:26:32 +0000

This week I had to address the elephant in the room. What’s up with the recent flack about Monsanto funding a science communication outreach program?

What is happening with FOIA? What is the future of the Talking Biotech science communication program?

Yes, I actually went on a vacation-vacation, first time since April 2002. And it was in a place with no cell signal or internet access.

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Genetically Modified Mosquito Control – Careers in Plant Breeding

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:38:20 +0000

This week’s podcast discusses Kevin Folta’s public records situation for 60 seconds.

That is followed by a talk with Dr. Andrew McKemey from Oxitec in Oxford, England. Oxitec has a technology that allows rearing of male mosquitoes that transmit a gene that disrupts offspring from developing. This technology has been show to work field situations, providing potential solutions to mosquito-borne disease. Dr. McKemey describes the technology and addresses ecological concerns.

In the second part Dr. Phil Stewart from Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates talks about careers in plant breeding. There is a desperate need for plant breeders in both industry and academia. These high-paying, satisfying careers outnumber the supply of graduating students to fill the positions. Dr. Stewart discusses his job, the required preparations, and how interested students can target these lucrative and fulfilling career paths.

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Success or Failure? Good Study Called Bad, Bad Study Called Gold.

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:05:51 +0000

This week’s podcast is an important analysis of two published reports. First, the results from the famous Rothamstead wheat trial show that their transgene does not confer resistance to aphids, inconsistent with their laboratory findings. While this outcome was considered to be a successful, reliable answer, it was billed as an abject failure on anti-biotech activist websites. Today we revisit the issues of publication and peer-review, and the story of the threats of vandalism against the experiment. We then will speak with Prof. John Pickett from Rothamstead Research Institute. We’ll discuss the lab work the trials, and future directions.

The second part of the podcast discusses the recent publication from Adyydurai et al that claims transgenic soy produces abnormal amounts of formaldehyde, relative to non-transgenic controls. The conclusion comes from a computational approach that was never experimentally validated. Since, I have extended an offer to test their hypothesis, yet they have not accepted the opportunity to examine if their prediction is in fact correct. Meanwhile, they are using this paper as a warning about transgenic crops.

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Saving the American Chestnut; Lettuce History and Modern Improvement

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 11:34:18 +0000

This Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. William Powell from SUNY, where he is co-Director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. The American Chestnut was a dominant forest tree in Appalachia until the late 1800’s when it was destroyed by disease. Dr. Powell’s project has used a transgenic approach to confer resistance to the disease, with the goal of repatriating the forest with this dominant tree species. Dr. Richard Michelmore from UC-Davis talks about lettuce history, genetics, genomics and breeding, with surprising information about lettuce that will make you never look at a head of lettuce the same way again.

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Don’t Let Dr. Oz Tell YOUR Story– Teaching the Public about Farming

Kevin M. Folta — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:11:51 +0000

Ag professionals know their businesses and on-farm practices better than anyone. However, they don’t tend to share their story in public space, allowing others (including unscrupulous hucksters and activists) to warp their reality.

How do we get the real experts excited about communicating about new technology, and how it is used on the farm? New innovations in crops and animals stand to improve productivity and quality of farm products, with benefits to farmers, the consumer and the environment.

This is the topic of Dr. Kevin Folta’s presentation to the Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Symposium in Naples, FL, July 18, 2015. An accompanying slide show is available at www.slideshare.net/kevinfolta . Please use it to talk to others, especially family, concerned friends, and people that need to understand the value of biotech innovations.

Innovation goes to application with communication.

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Sustainable Salmon; All ‘Bout Bananas

Kevin M. Folta — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:25:10 +0000

Salmon is an outstanding food for protein, and undeniably great table fare. The AquaBounty company has produced the AquaAdvantage salmon, a fish that grows to production size in less time. This means the same amount of healthy fish using less food, labor, water, and other limited resources. Dave Conley speaks about the salmon, how the trait works, it’s deregulation, and addresses questions about safety and containment. The second part of the podcast visits with Professor Pat Heslop-Harrison, where we discuss banana origins, applications and the challenges to modern cultivation– with an eye on how breeders and biotechnologists might impact the future of this important fruit.

Special Guest Host, Ms. Val Swenson.

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Stopping Avian Flu Spread; Potato Origins

Kevin M. Folta — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 18:13:09 +0000

This episode of Talking Biotech features stories of genetically engineered chickens that do not spread the avian influenza virus. This year over 45 million birds have died or have been euthanized because of illness from the avian flu. Prof. Helen Sang of the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland is part of the research team that engineered chickens using a clever strategy– they can catch the virus and become ill, but they do not transmit it. She discusses the technology and its hurdles to commercialization. In the second segment Dr. David Spooner from the USDA ARS and University of Wisconsin talks about the origins of potatoes, the evidence of his path to domestication, and aspects about the future of potato biotechnology. Special guest co-host Amira- Executive Chef.

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