Nice Genes! - SoundSage

This episode was originally released on August 2, 2022

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

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

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

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

Resources:

Genetic Mutation - Nature
Genomic mutation rates: What high-throughput methods can tell us
Shane Campbell Staton Group - Tuskless Elephants
Ivory poaching and the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants - Science
Real-Life X-Men: How CRISPR Could Give You Superpowers in the Future - synthego.com
Indonesian divers have evolved bigger spleens to hunt underwater - Science
Mutations may reveal how Tibetans can live on world's highest plateau - Science
The Immortal Jellyfish - American Museum of Natural History
Cellular reprogramming and immortality: Expression profiling reveals putative genes involved in Turritopsis dohrnii’s life cycle reversal
Transcriptome Characterization of Reverse Development in Turritopsis dohrnii (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria)
Horizontal gene transfer and adaptive evolution in bacteria - nature reviews microbiology
Horizontal gene transfer overrides mutation in Escherichia coli colonizing the mammalian gut - PNAS
The Ship of Theseus Dilemma - Open Okstate

View Details

Have you ever wondered why most orange cats are male? Scientists have been scratching their heads over this for decades, and now we finally have answers. In our final Gene Short of the season, Sarah Lando and Dr. Kaylee Byers explain the surprising new evidence that finally explains this purr-ticular quirk.

Resources

1. Gene behind orange fur in cats found at last- Science.org

2. Scientists track down mutation that makes orange cats orange- Science Daily

View Details

This episode was originally released on November 15, 2022

Things aren’t always what they seem on the surface, especially when it comes to our oceans. So many mysteries hum below its watery surface. So, you may just have to use your ears when it's too dark to see exactly what's going on down there.

Dr. Kaylee Byers looks into the ocean giants that lurk in the depths and the unique songs they share with us. She sits down with whale biologist Dr. Jennifer Allen on how whale songs are imparting a cultural exchange between populations that are hundreds of miles apart. Filmmaker Joshua Zeeman shares his journey to find the infamously dubbed 'Loneliest Whale'. And Paeleobiologist Dr. Travis Park from the Museum of Natural History in London tells us how whales developed their unique singing superpowers by taking us back through millions of years of evolution. Finally, researcher Grace Baer brings us to a remote west coast station studying whale populations and the effects of ocean traffic noise.

It's a whale-sized episode taking you on a listening journey into this wonderful watery world!

Special thanks to Captain Gaelen Krause of the Island Odyssey, for capturing recordings on his journey to search for whales along the British Columbia coast.

Resources:

Southern Resident Killer Whale Research Project | Parks Canada
Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural 'deep dive' | phys.org
Whale-monitoring robots are oceanic eavesdroppers with a mission | Popular Science
Whale Songs Are Getting Deeper | The Atlantic
The search for the loneliest whale in the world | The Guardian
The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52 | Bleecker Street Media
BTS (방탄소년단) Whalien 52' MV | BigHit Entertainment
Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean Life - But We Can Fix it | TIME
Convergent evolution in toothed whale cochleae | BMC Evolutionary Biology
Evolutionary Basis of High-Frequency Hearing in the Cochleae of Echolocators Revealed by Comparative Genomics | Oxford Academic
Genome-culture coevolution promotes rapid divergence of killer whale ecotypes | Nature
DNA Suggests Cultural Traits Affect Whale Evolution | Science
San Francisco: Dead Whale Opens Seafood Season | Universal International Newswire
Songs of the Humpback Whale | Roger Payne, CRM Records
Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive
Monaco - International Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive
Bubble Net Feeding | BC Whales
Cool Genomics Facts - Fact 4 & 5: Environmental DNA | Genome British Columbia

View Details

The story of 23andMe has more twists than a soap opera. Spit parties, ghosting the FDA, unicorn valuations, and massive data breaches—this company has done it all. In this Gene Short, Sarah Lando walks Dr. Kaylee Byers through the drama behind the headlines, and what it all means if you’re thinking about exploring your own ancestry DNA.

Resources

1. The rise and fall of 23andMe - Business Insider

2. The rise and fall and rise again of 23andMe - Nature

View Details

This episode was originally released on November 5, 2024

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

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

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

A Note on Language:

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

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

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

Highlights:

(6:32) Growing up undiagnosed

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

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

(26:37) A biased assessment

Resources:

‘Taking off the Mask: A Practical Guide for Managing Autistic Camouflaging and Mental Health‘ - Dr. Hannah Belcher
Inherited Risk for Autism Through Maternal and Paternal Lineage - National Institute of Health
'Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect’- The Transmitter
How ADHD Gender Bias is Slowly, Steadily Harming Females - ADDitude Mag
Refrigerator Mothers - A Discredited Cause Of Autism- Autism Help
Study challenges idea that autism is caused by an overly masculine brain- Science.org
Autism Spectrum Conditions In Women: Diagnosis, Mental Health, And The Role Of Camouflaging- Research Gate

View Details

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

Resources

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

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

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

View Details

This episode was originally released on December 13, 2022

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

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

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

Resources:

Infection control in the new age of genomic epidemiology | British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory
The permafrost pandemic: could the melting Arctic release a deadly disease | Unearthed
Viral spillover risk increases with climate change in High Arctic lake sediments | The Royal Society
Healthy ecosystems for human and animal health: Science diplomacy for responsible development in the Arctic | The Nordic Centre of Excellence
Understanding and Responding to Global Health Security Risks from Microbial Threats in the Arctic: Proceedings of a Workshop | National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine
Next pandemic may come from melting glaciers, new data shows | The Guardian
Scientists Revived Ancient 'Zombie Viruses' Frozen For Eons in Siberia | Science Alert
A 48,500-year-old virus has been revived from Siberian permafrost | NewScientist
Anthrax outbreak in Siberia | euro news
CBC News: The National | Russia invades Ukraine | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)
National Geographic: Explorer Directory, Melandri Vlok | National Geographic
Paleoepidemiological Considerations of Mobility and Population Interaction in the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Prehistoric Past | Bioarchaeology International
The Epidemiological Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change | Milbank Memorial Fund
Forager and farmer evolutionary adaptations to malaria evidenced by 7000 years of thalassemia in Southeast Asia | nature portfolio
CARD 2020: antibiotic resistome surveillance with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database|Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University

View Details

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

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

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

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

Highlights

(7:24) How Opera Training Influences the Brain

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

(22:27) Heritability of Musical Behaviour

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

Show Notes/Resources:

Twin modelling reveals partly distinct genetic pathways to music enjoyment- Nature Communications
New multi-faculty research initiative weaves notes and neurons- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

View Details

Why Tuberculosis is still the most deadly infectious disease.

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

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

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

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

Highlights

(3:42) The history of TB

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

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

(30:48) The power of education

–

Show Notes/Resources:

Giant Rats Trained to Sniff Out Tuberculosis in Africa- National Geographic
The Making of a HeroRAT: From Tiny Pup to Life-saving Hero- APOPO
Tuberculosis: an ancient disease that remains a medical, social, economical and ethical issue- Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene
History of World TB Day- CDC
The history of tuberculosis- Respiratory Medicine

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

Everything is Tuberculosis- John Green

View Details

Got a sec?

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

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

How to leave a review:

Apple Podcasts: Scroll to the bottom of our show page, tap those five shiny stars, and tell us what you think.
Spotify: Tap the star rating at the top of our show page and leave a comment on your favourite episode this season.

Contest details:

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

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

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

View Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resources to help you on your menopause health journey- Menopause Foundation of Canada
Menopause & Midlife Health- BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Older Adults - Trans Care BC
Balancing Your Health and Wellness During Menopause- First Nations Health Authority

–

Highlights

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

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

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

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

–

Show Notes/Resources:

Menopause and Perimenopause- Health Link BC
‘Unprepared and Disoriented.’ New Findings on Menopause Impacts- The Tyee
IN HER WORDS Women’s Experience with the Healthcare System in British Columbia- BC Women’s Health Foundation, Pacific Blue Cross
Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia- Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s
Menopause and Work in Canada- Menopause Foundation of Canada
Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring- PNAS
Demographic and hormonal evidence for menopause in wild chimpanzees- Science
Naked mole rats defy the biological law of aging- Science

View Details

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

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

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

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

Highlights

(4:00) The bacteria behind food poisoning

(10:13) How genomics helps track foodborne outbreaks

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

(23:59) Some poo-ticular scientific treatments

–

Resources

Yearly food-borne illness estimates for Canada- Government of Canada
Salmonella Syst-OMICS – Salmonella Syst-OMICS Consortium
Hack Your Health- The Secrets of Your Gut Health- Netflix
Probiotics: 100 years (1907-2007) after Elie Metchnikoff's Observation- Research Gate
Revisiting Metchnikoff: Age-related alterations in microbiota-gut-brain axis in the mouse- Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Intragastric infection of germfree and conventional mice with Salmonella typhimurium- NIH
A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial)- BMC Medicine
Pick fecal microbiota transplantation to enhance therapy for major depressive disorder- Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

View Details

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

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

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

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

Highlights

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

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

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

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

–

Resources

Vector-borne diseases- The World Health Organization
Ancient DNA used to map evolution of fever-causing bacteria- Science Daily
Mapping the distribution of Amblyomma americanum in Georgia, USA- Parasites & Vectors
Focal persistence and phylodynamics of Heartland virus in Georgia- Virus Evolution

View Details

The genetic clues behind sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals

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

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

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

Highlights

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

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

(21:32) A hot debate in sports cardiology

(24:51) Tailoring training through genotype

–

Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View Details

How medical dramas shape the way we think about genomics

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

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

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

Highlights

(3:54) Common genomic missteps on TV

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

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

(25:57) Why representation matters

–

Resources

Eugenics and genetic screening in television medical dramas- BMJ Journals
Genetics in Television Medical Dramas- J Lit Sci

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

Eugenics: Its Origin and Development (1883 - Present)- National Human Genome Research Institute
Watson Episode 12 recap: Bioengineered chaos, betrayal, and Moriarty’s return- Soap Central
Private Practice (2007, S1E6)
Chicago Hope S5E12
Grey's Anatomy, (2015, S11E10)

View Details

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

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

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

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

Highlights

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

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

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

(19:12) Making healthcare more equitable

–

Resources

World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
SeqFirst: Building equity access to a precise genetic diagnosis in critically ill newborns- The American Journal of Human Genetics
Implementation of First-Line Rapid Genome Sequencing in Non–Critical Care Pediatric Wards- The Journal of Pediatrics
Genetic Non-Discrimination Act- The Government of Canada

View Details

How wastewater surveillance is tracking diseases outbreaks

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

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

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

Highlights

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

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

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

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

–

Resources

Wastewater Surveillance– BC Centre for Disease Control
Wastewater surveillance tells a quiet story of polio’s return– BMJ
Nigeria’s polio battleground'– Nature
Makoko: ‘Venice of Lagos’– SmartCities Dive

View Details

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

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

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

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

View Details

Houston, we have… a microbe? A mysterious bacterial species has shown up aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station, and Dr. Kaylee Byers and Sarah Lando are hopping into the Nice Genes! mothership to investigate. Where did this intriguing new organism come from? Did it evolve in orbit? And what does it mean for the future of space travel?

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

Resources

1. New Bacteria Have Been Discovered on a Chinese Space Station - WIRED

2. New space-adapted bacteria discovered on China’s space station - CBC

3. Unknown strain of bacteria found on China's Tiangong Space Station- Live Science

4. Niallia tiangongensis sp. nov., isolated from the China Space Station - International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology

View Details

German cockroaches are notorious for making themselves at home in our kitchens and bathrooms, but how did they become such persistent pests? Dr. Kaylee Byers and Sarah Lando explore the fascinating genomics behind this unwanted guest—and why we’re partly to blame.

Resources:

1.Solving the 250-year-old mystery of the origin and global spread of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica – PNAS

2. The world's most common cockroach is 'a monster of our own creation,' study finds - CBC

3. German Cockroach – Rutgers

4. Prevalence of Cockroaches, Bed Bugs, and House Mice in Low-Income Housing and Evaluation of Baits for Monitoring House Mouse Infestations – Journal of Medical Entomology

View Details

The Importance of Biodiversity

Description:

This episode was originally released on October 31, 2022

Conservation is often about protecting the species that still wander around our Earth. But what about those that once did but have gone extinct? In this Halloween-inspired episode, we take a look into how one spooky idea has gone from science fiction to science fact, de-extinction style.

Dr. Kaylee Byers takes us to the upside-down world of wild animals in Australia. She sits down with Dr. Axel Newton whose research addresses how to resurrect a species that has been extinct for nearly a century. Also joining her is Dr. Carolyn Hogg who uses the latest genomic technology to understand the impacts of reintroducing endangered species into their native habitats. In this wacky tale of resurrection and 'devils' will the spirit of scientific discovery mean incredible changes for the future, or is a line being crossed that we can't come back from?

References:

Lab takes 'giant leap' toward thylacine de-extinction with Colossal genetic engineering technology partnership | The University of Melbourne
Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research Lab (TIGRR Lab) | The University of Melbourne
Thylacine: How we plan to de-extinct the Tasmanian tiger | Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences
Extinction of thylacine | National Museum Australia
A year after Australia's wildfires, extinction threatens hundreds of species | Science News
Rewilding returns lost species to strengthen ecosystems | Science News
Park Conscious | U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Endangered Tasmanian devils insured against future threats | The University of Sydney
The 9 Steps to De-Extincting Australia's Thylacine | The University of Melbourne
The Value of Reference Genomes in the Conservation of Threatened Species | Marsupial Genetics and Genomics
Assessing evolutionary processes over time in a conservation breeding program: a combined approach using molecular data, simulations and pedigree analysis | Biodiversity and Conservation

View Details

Mutton was one of the last of the Salish Woolly Dogs– a breed raised by Indigenous Coast Salish communities before colonization led to its disappearance. Sarah Lando and Dr. Kaylee Byers delve into how genome sequencing is helping uncover the Woolly Dog’s legacy—and could even lead to its revival.

Resources:

1. The history of Coast Salish “woolly dogs” revealed by ancient genomics and Indigenous Knowledge– Science

2. Salish Woolly Dog – The Canadian Encyclopedia

3. Extinct Woolly Dog was carefully bred for weaving, ancient DNA confirms – Washington Post

4. Extinct Woolly Dog Analyzed in Collaborative Study with Coast Salish Co-authors – American Museum of Natural History

View Details

This episode was originally released on September 19, 2023

Is the world running out of bananas? Well, no. Not…yet — but nature is flashing a big, yellow, squishy "caution" sign. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers peels away our assumptions about food security by looking at bananas. Venturing Down Under, we connect with Dr. James Dale from Queensland University of Technology – a bona fide banana expert, who tells us exactly why this iconic yellow fruit could one day become a rarity. But, with the help of a clever genomic idea, he and his intrepid team of Aussie researchers and farmers are looking at how to hit "abort" on complete Bananageddon.

Special thanks to Mark Smith with Darwin Fruit Farm Party Limited for providing field recordings for this episode.

References:

Why Don’t Banana Candies Taste Like Real Bananas? | Science Friday
What We Can Learn From the Near-Death of the Banana | TIME
Banana Wars: Power, Production, and History in the Americas | Duke University Press
Chinese coolies | National Library Board
The Story of the Cavendish Banana | Tenerife Weekly
Not your mother’s banana | Bananageddon
Fungal attacks threaten global food supply, say experts | The Guardian
The banana is dying. The race is on to reinvent it before it's too late | Wired
QUT-developed GM Cavendish offers safety net to world banana industry | Queensland University of Technology

Credit:

Journey to Banana Land: By the United Fruit Company (1950) | Institute of Visual Training
Ag Report: Fighting rural farm crime; banana disease; and ag grant award | ABC News

View Details

The food supplement industry rakes in billions of dollars every year. So with so much money being spent on things like vitamins, they must be worth it, right? Right?! Dr. Kaylee Byers and Sarah Lando give you the down low on what’s good for you– and what’s just good for business.

Resources:

1. Is There Really Any Benefit to Multivitamins? – Hopkins Medicine

2. Daily multivitamins do not help people live longer, major study finds – The Guardian

3. Multivitamin Use and Mortality Risk in 3 Prospective US Cohorts – JAMA

4. Do You Need to Take Magnesium Supplements? – The New York Times

5. Role of Beta-Carotene in Lung Cancer Primary Chemoprevention: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression – National Institute of Health

6. Dietary Supplements Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Ingredient (Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics), By Form (Capsules, Gummies, Liquids), By End User, By Application, By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030 – Grandview Research

View Details

This episode was originally released on November 14, 2023

Sleep is essential to our lives, but our perception of how it functions in our non-waking life is not always well understood. So in the mires of our busy daily lives do we overlook sleep by seeing it as a means of refilling our energy for a productive day? By questioning this assumption, one term rolls from out of the haze: The ‘Circadian Rhythm’.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with Dr. Hiroki Ueda from the University of Tokyo in the Faculty of Medicine on demystifying the links between our sleep and genomics. Then neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Coogan shares the connection between sleep and ADHD. Finally, we hear from Dr. Ueda and Dr. Hiroshi Ono, from Hitotsubashi University Business School, on how their homeland of Japan is reckoning with an off-balance relationship with sleep and work.

References:

Molecular Mechanisms of REM Sleep | Neurosci
The ability to dream may be genetic | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)
Next-Generation Mice Genetics for Circadian Studies | Neuromethods
Evolution of temporal order in living organisms | Journal of Circadian Rhythms
Learn about the bunker experiment to understand the human biological clock | Britannica
Genetic sleep deprivation: using sleep mutants to study sleep functions | EMBO reports
Circadian rhythms and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The what, the when and the why | Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
Insomnia: Definition, Prevalence, Etiology, and Consequences | Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
No Sleep for Japan? Survey Reveals Half of Population May Have Insomnia | Nippon.com
Why Sleep Matters: Quantifying the Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep | Rand Corporation
Japan has some of the longest working hours in the world. It’s trying to change | CNBC
Announcement of the establishment of the nonpartisan "Parliamentary League to Promote Initiatives for People's Quality Sleep" | Sleeping Council Federation
Founder/Director CTO Yasumi Ueda gave a speech at the inaugural general meeting of the nonpartisan "Parliamentary League to Promote Initiatives for People's Quality Sleep" | ACCELStars
Free-running circadian activity rhythms in free-living beaver (Castor canadensis) | Journal of Comparative Physiology

Credits:

Dr. Rackeb Tesdaye
Curbing death by overwork | Financial Times
Why does Japan Work So Hard? | CNBC Explains
Worked to Death: Japan questions high-pressure corporate culture | France 24 English
Inside Japan’s growing ‘lonely death’ clean-up service | CNN International
How can governments help stop overwork? | The Question | CBC News: The National

View Details

We’ve all been there— tempted by the irresistible smell of hot, melty cheese. So what is it about this perfect blend of milk and microbes that keeps us coming back for more? What does cheese do to our brain? Dr. Kaylee Byers and Sarah Lando slice through the science.

Resources:

1. Is cheese actually addictive? Here's the real science – Salon

2. Which Foods May Be Addictive? The Roles of Processing, Fat Content, and Glycemic Load – PLOS ONE

3. Cheese really is crack. Study reveals cheese is as addictive as drugs – LA Times

4. Science Says Cheese is Basically Cocaine – GQ

5. Divergent effects of central melanocortin signalling on fat and sucrose preference in humans – Nature

6. Your Genes May Influence What You Like to Eat – Scientific American

View Details

This episode was originally released on August 16, 2022

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

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

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

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

References:

Eve Lazarus, Author and Podcaster
Murder, Mystery and Intrigue in Review: Babes in the Woods
Cece Moore - the DNA Detective
How Your Family Tree Could Catch a Killer - The New Yorker
Genetics, Law enforcement and crime - Personal Genetics Education Project
Killer Eludes Police for 31 years - how did one woman find him in two hours? - cbsnews
Seattle man's conviction for 1987 murders of B.C.'s Tanya van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook overturned - CBC
The National DNA Data Bank - The B.C. Civil Liberties Association
For nearly 70 years, these 2 murdered boys were known as the 'Babes in the Woods.' Now they finally have names - CBC
Maryland V. King - 2013 Supreme Court decision on Maryland DNA Collection Act
Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless Collection Of DNA - NPR
How DNA can reunite families - Endeavor DNA Laboratories

View Details

Rapid Evolution in the Modern Age

Evolution is like the ultimate slowburn, unfolding over millennia. And in our modern society, where things move so fast, it’s easy to miss this incremental but constant transformation. Not only is evolution happening all around us, in some cases it’s even picking up the pace.

In our season finale, our resident superhero, Ratwoman, returns with a new sidekick: The Bat Whisperer. Join Dr. Kaylee Byers and Dr. Cecelia Sánchez as they team up to explore the marvels of rapid evolution– from bats in the Solomon Islands, to modern dating. We’ll meet cave explorer and mammal detective Dr. Tyrone Lavery along with paleontologist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Nick Longrich to unlock predictions for the future, by looking into the past.

With unprecedented access to genomic information, we can now remix evolution like never before. But just because we can, does it mean we should?

Learn-a-Long: https://bit.ly/4jgbFI2

Highlights

(5:57) Into the bat cave: tracking evolution in the Solomon Islands with Dr. Lavery

(11:18) The peppered moth survival story

(20:18) Dr. Longrich explains how humans are evolving in the modern age

–

Resources:

1. Charles Darwin: History’s most famous biologist - Natural History Museum

2. Bat Beauty Contest: Vote Now To Crown The Best-Looking Bat Of Them All - Forbes

3. Parallel evolution in an island archipelago revealed by genomic sequencing of Hipposideros leaf-nosed bats - Oxford Academic

4. Bats Are Going Through a Rare Evolutionary Phenomenon - Newsweek

5. The Peppered Moth - Age of Revolution

6. A continuous fish fossil record reveals key insights into adaptive radiation - Nature

7. Study of 17,000 years of fish fossils reveals rapid evolution - Science.org

How long does evolution take? It happens on two different timescales- New Scientist

9. Future evolution: from looks to brains and personality, how will humans change in the next 10,000 years? - The Conversation

10. Ancient Urbanization Predicts Genetic Resistance To Tuberculosis - Oxford Academic

View Details

Managing an Invisible Disease

Is there a Zombie moose on the loose?! Not quite... But there is something lurking in the woods that has our “deer” friends shakin' in their hooves. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a 100% fatal illness that’s creeping its way through cervid populations, and it’s nearly impossible to spot. Luckily, wildlife biologists like our guest Cait Nelson from the BC Ministry of Water, Lands, and Natural Resource Stewardship are on the case.

In this episode host Dr. Kaylee Byers and Cait Nelson talk about the clever scientific tools that are helping us track CWD– from grapefruit spoons to genomics! We’ll also hear from Alfred Joseph from the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation and member of the Ktunaxa Tribe, who explains how CWD is more than just a threat to wildlife, but also has deep implications for community and food sovereignty.

Join us on a pun-packed hunt to find out how we can get ahead of this deadly and stubborn disease, one dead head at a time.

Special thanks to Jeff Berdusco, CWD Coordinator in the Kootenay region for providing field recordings for this episode.

–

Highlights

(4:46) What is CWD?

(13:10) A threat to cultural independence.

(17:48) Tracking a silent killer.

Learn-along: https://bit.ly/4hersVV

Resources:

Chronic Wasting Disease - British Columbia
To Fight Chronic Wasting Disease, BC Begins to Harvest Deer - The Tyee
“It’s important to know about this” - risk communication and the impacts of chronic wasting disease on Indigenous food systems in Western Canada- Environmental Science & Policy
Chronic Wasting Disease: Prevention, Surveillance, and Response- BC Wildlife Federation

View Details

Forensic Methods in Disaster Recovery

Content warning: this episode discusses forensic science and the identification of human remains that may not be suited for all audiences.

Natural disasters can strike without warning. And when they do, they can leave destruction, displacement, and loss of life in their wake. First responders rush to help those in need, while forensic scientists face the difficult but incredibly important task of identifying human remains– a process known as Disaster Victim Identification (DVI).

In this episode, we’re going back to 2004, to the largest DVI event in recent history. Host Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with Chief Forensic Odontologist Dr. Dirk van der Meer as he shares his first-hand experiences of helping identify victims following the devastating tsunami in Thailand. Then, how are genomics reshaping forensic identification today? We head to Australia to hear from Dr. Dadna Hartman about a new tool that’s offering answers—and closure—to families, faster than ever. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the important and fascinating world of forensic science.

–

Highlights

(6:51) On the scene after the tsunami

(16:01) A speedy genomic tool

(23:00) Beyond the science

Learn-a-Long: https://bit.ly/426bd8Y

Resources:

1.2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami: Facts and FAQs- World Vision

The 10 most significant natural disasters worldwide by death toll from 1950 to 2022- Statista

3.Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)- Interpol

Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances- Forensic Sciences Research
Rapid DNA from a disaster victim identification perspective: Is it a game changer?- Forensic Science International

View Details

Rethinking the Divide in Autism Diagnoses

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

A Note on Language:

Highlights:

(6:32) Growing up undiagnosed

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

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

(26:37) A biased assessment

Learn-A-Long: (coming soon)

Resources:

‘Taking off the Mask: A Practical Guide for Managing Autistic Camouflaging and Mental Health‘ - Dr. Hannah Belcher
Inherited Risk for Autism Through Maternal and Paternal Lineage - National Institute of Health
'Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect’- The Transmitter
How ADHD Gender Bias is Slowly, Steadily Harming Females - ADDitude Mag
Refrigerator Mothers - A Discredited Cause Of Autism- Autism Help
Study challenges idea that autism is caused by an overly masculine brain- Science.org
Autism Spectrum Conditions In Women: Diagnosis, Mental Health, And The Role Of Camouflaging- Research Gate (source?)

View Details

The Deceptive Seduction of Femme Fatale Fireflies

In the buzzin’ firefly nightlife scene, neon lights glow bright and sparks fly. But, there’s murder on the dancefloor… The infamous 'Femme Fatale' firefly has mastered the ultimate bait-and-switch seduction strategy, and these sly flies (that are really beetles, actually) aren’t interested in a happily ever after, instead they’re looking for a ‘one-bite stand.’

Get consumed in this episode by one of nature’s flashiest insects. Join host, Dr. Kaylee Byers, as she chats with Dr. Sarah Lower about the enchanting world of glow beetles. And later, Dr. Peter Andolfatto reveals how genomics is uncovering the secrets behind how Femme Fatale fireflies have evolved to resort to such drastic measures. Plus, find out what studying firefly toxin DNA could mean for future medical breakthroughs.

–

Highlights:

(5:40) Dr. Sarah Lower covers some firefly basics

(12:11) Dr. Lower on the deceptive strategy of the Femme Fatale Fireflies

(19:21) Dr. Andolfatto explains how fireflies have evolved difference resistance strategies to toxins

(26:02) Dr. Lower on how to get involved in firefly conservation

–

Learn-A-Long: (coming soon)

—

Resources:

A Comprehensive Review of Firefly Conservation- NCBI
Firefly Genome and Its Role in Bioluminescence- Science Advances
Patterns of Firefly Species Extinction Risk- PNAS Nexus
Fireflies: Species at Risk of Extinction- Xerces Society
Sarah Lower - Faculty at Bucknell University- Bucknell University
Andolfatto Lab- Andolfatto Lab

View Details

How genomics is shaping the future of cervical cancer screening

[Content Warning: This episode mentions sexual assault and medical trauma.]

Nearly 80% of people will get Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. Even though HPV is super common, the symptoms are often subtle or invisible and can sometimes lead to cervical cancer if left undetected. But thanks to new government initiatives like British Columbia’s (BC) self-screening program, cancer testing is levelling up.

In this episode, BC resident Christina Price shares how an easy at-home HPV test helped her catch cancer early. Then, Dr. Aisha Lofters debunks persistent myths about HPV, and explains how these test kits are making screening more accessible, comfortable, and equitable. Join host Dr. Kaylee Byers to find out how this genomic tool is empowering people to take their healthcare into their own hands (literally!), and getting us closer to eliminating cervical cancer for good.

If you, or someone you know needs support, you can call 1-800-563-0808 or find Canada-wide resources right here.

–

Highlights:

(4:25) Christina talks about the steps that happen after receiving her result from the at home testing kit.

(8:09) Dr. Lofters explains what HPV is, the symptoms and what differentiates different strains of HPV.

(15:54) Dr. Lofters explains the two different methods for HPV screening

(19:30) Dr. Lofters talk about some of the inequities and social barriers people face when finding and accessing healthcare.

–

Learn-A-Long: (coming soon)

—

Resources:

1.Human papillomavirus- Women's Health

2.Doctors say at-home screening for HPV could be an opportunity to 'eliminate a cancer sooner- CBC News

New self-screening program will help detect cervical cancer sooner- BC Gov News

4.Pap test- Canadian Cancer Society

5.When a pelvic exam is traumatic - Harvard Health

6.“Doing it on my own terms”: Transgender and nonbinary adults’ experiences with HPV self-swabbing home testing kits - National Library of Medicine

View Details

The hidden battle between medicine and microbes

Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have been our frontline defence against bacterial infections. But this revolutionary medicine is losing ground in the fight. Today, Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the biggest threats to human health– and the stakes only getting higher.

But don’t panic, hope is on the horizon!

In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers takes you on a journey of petri dishes, mouldy melons, and artifical intelligence to investigate our best hopes of curbing antibiotic resistance. She chats with Dr. Rylan Duivenstein about what’s happening in hospitals, and Dr. Nadine Ziemert about using genomics to help find new antibiotics before we run out of options.

—

Highlights:

(01:37) Mark is faced with the possibility of Necrotizing Fasciitis.

(04:32) Kaylee teaches us about the discovery of antibiotics.

(08:05) Dr. Ryland Duivenstein explains how antibiotics work.

(20:37) Dr. Nadine Ziemert explains how genomics is helping us discover new antibiotics.

—

Learn-A-Long: (coming soon)

—

Resources:

Antibiotics: past, present and future - ScienceDirect
The real story behind penicillin - PBS NewsHour
The Forgotten Mother of Penicillin- Science History Institute
Alexander Fleming (1881–1955): Discoverer of penicillin- NCBI
Alexander Flemming Nobel Lecture Speech- Nobel Prize
How can we solve the antibiotic resistance crisis? - Gerry Wright
WHO - Antimicrobial Resistance - World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO updates list of drug-resistant bacteria most threatening to human health - World Health Organization (WHO)
Ziemert Lab - Translational Genome Mining for Natural Products- University of Tübingen

View Details

Separating Skincare Science Fact from Fiction

Could your skincare be hiding more than just a few blemishes? Or, is the word “toxic” getting a li’l too much attention these days… You may have heard the buzz about endocrine-disruptingcompounds that silently interfere with our hormones. But with so much misinformation online fueling the fear-fire, it’s hard to know what’s really harmful and what’s all hype.

In our ‘Nice Genes!’ season 4 opener, host Dr. Kaylee Byers re-joins forces with the one and only Dr. Samantha Yammine (aka Science Sam) to clear up some of the confusion surrounding cosmetic safety. With help from environmental toxicologist Dr. Isabelle Plante, we’re un(face)masking the science of dosage and exposure to decode cosmetic formulas and why it's more complex than TikTok would have you think!

—

Highlights:

(06:55) Dr. Plante Defines Endocrine disruptors.

(16:43) Dr. Plante talks about the relationship between endocrine disruptors and health concerns.

(26:38) Science Sam highlights the important role of regulation.

—

Learn-A-Long: (coming soon)

—

Resources:

Clean Beauty Is Wrong and Won’t Give Us Safer Products - Lab Muffin
Parabens in Cosmetics - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Parabens and Breast Cancer - Breast Cancer UK
The Association between Paraben Exposure and Human Health - MDPI
Parabens, Fragrance, Colorants, Talc: Debunking Bobby Parrish’s TikTok Misinformation - Lab Muffin
Endocrine Disruptors - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Chapter: Parabens in Cosmetics - SpringerLink
Environmental Exposure to Parabens and Health Effects - Nature
Canadian Institute for Environmental Assessment - CIAPE ICEDA

View Details

…98, 99, 100! Ready or not, here we come with a brand new season of 'Nice Genes!'

Science is like a game of hide and seek, and genomics is one of its stealthiest players, challenging us to uncover its "see-crets".

Join host Dr. Kaylee Byers for Season 4 of Nice Genes! where we shine an ultraviolet light on the hidden forces that shape our world– and investigate the genomic questions you didn’t even know you had. Like, is “clean beauty” worth the hype? Can genomics help solve the looming threat of antibiotic resistance? And WTF (what the fawn) is chronic wasting disease?!

Get ready for eye-opening episodes that are helping make the invisible, visible– with genomics! Because sometimes, the most exciting scientific questions are hidden in plain sight.

View Details

How Mice and CRISPR are Reversing Blindness

One small step for science, one furry leap for mousekind. Scientists have found a way to reverse a common mutation that causes blindness in both people and mice using gene editing technology.

References:

In Mouse Study, Scientists Use Gene Editing to Reverse a Major Cause of Blindness | US News

Credits:

Children's Songs by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians | Internet Archive

Three Blind Mice - Beidernecke, Bix | Internet Archive

View Details

How Deleted DNA Reveals the Origins of Humanity

In 2007, researchers pitted humans against chimpanzees in a memory test competition. Who was the victor of this mental jungle gym? Phoebe Melvin and Dr. Kaylee Byers delve into Yale University research that reveals what DNA humans share with our primate relatives but, more intriguingly, what sets us apart.

References:

Mankind’s Missing Puzzle Pieces: The “Deleted” Genes That Made Us Human | Yale University

Chimps Beat Humans on Memory Tasks | ABC News

Credits:

ABC News, Chimps vs Humans | ABC News & laffsteve

View Details

How an Oddball Bunny Saved Millions of Lives

Can a make-believe tale have real-life consequences? Perhaps a 1930s legend from a snowy town in Wyoming illustrates signals just how the strange things found in nature can become life-saving treatments.

References:

Are jackalopes real? | Live Science

New Research Shows the HPV Cancer Vaccine Saves Lives | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Credits:

The Legend Of Bigfoot | Internet Archive (CC)

Somewhere In Wyoming 1930 Joe Green Orchestra | Internet Archive (CC)

View Details

Meet the Magic of Mushrooms on Colour Blindness

Roughly 300 million people have a colour vision deficiency. But with a few mushrooms and some magic, those who experience colourblindness might be able to see a whole range of colors for the first time.

References:

Magic Mushrooms seem to have a strange effect on color blindness | Science Alert

Ishihara test: Color Blind Test | Colormax

What is LSD | Science Alert

Case report: Prolonged amelioration of mild red-green color vision deficiency following psilocybin mushroom use | Drug Science, Policy and Law

Improved colour blindness symptoms associated with recreational psychedelic use: Results from the Global Drug Survey 2017 | Drug Science, Policy and Law

View Details

Indigenous Environmental Stewardship

Description:

The Indigenous peoples of what’s now known as Western Canada had a relationship of reciprocity with the land. But when explorers from Europe arrived eager to tame the land and absorb its vast natural resources these two world views came to a head. And caught in between an iconic species of the Pacific Northwest—the Gary Oak—has become threatened. So how can we reconcile the harmful assumptions of the past that overlooked other ways of managing ecosystems?

Dr. Kaylee Byers and Co-Host Dr. Lyana Patrick, look to the forests, rivers, and oceans of Turtle Island to uncover the various food systems and traditional stewardship practices that existed before colonization. Ethnobotonist, John Bradley Williams shares the traditional use of Garry Oaks and how they became systematically destroyed. Dr. Tabitha Robin from the University of British Columbia shares her experience working with and studying Indigenous Food Sovereignty. Lastly, Canadian Anthropologist and National Geographic explorer Dr. Wade Davis, through insights from his career visiting communities around the world shares how we can dismantle the prevailing biases that continue to threaten the health of our planet.

—

Highlights:

(3:53 - 8:55) An icon on the brink, J.B. Williams shares the origins and challenges of Garry Oak meadows

(11:24 - 14:50) Moving forward, Dr. Tabitha Robin shares the overlooked history of Indigenous food sovereignty

(18:45 - 23:20) How an academic divide threatens our planet, anthropology lessons from National Geographic's Dr. Wade Davis

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/3GPwxnf

—

Resources:

Indians and Europeans on the Northwest Coast: Historical Context | Center for the Study of Pacific Northwest

The Strait of Juan de Fuca is mentioned for the first time in April 1596 | History Link

Purchas His Pilgrimes: Contayning a History of the World in Sea Voyages and Lande Travells by Englishmen and others | Center for the Study of Pacific Northwest

The Garry Oak Learning Meadow | Parks Canada

Harvesting strategies as evidence for 4000 years of camas (Camassia quamash) management in the North American Columbia Plateau | The Royal Society

Conservation status of native tree species in British Columbia | Global Ecology and Conservation

Seeing the garden through the trees: The Indigenous forest gardens of coastal B.C. | Canadian Geographic

Bison Bellows: Indigenous Hunting Practices | National Parks Service

Weir Fishing | Heritage Lower Saint Lawrence

Combining Genomic Insights and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge for the Conservation of Pacific Salmon | Genome British Columbia

Puyallup Tribe hosts c’abid (camas) harvest at PLU | Pacific Luthern University

Saving the planet means listening to Indigenous peoples: Wade Davis | CBC

Spatial and temporal assessments of genetic structure in an endangered Garry oak ecosystem on Vancouver Island | Canadian Science Publishing

—

Credit:

Interview with Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama by Robert AF Thurman, Harvard 1981 | Tibet House US Menla Online

View Details

Challenging our assumptions about pain

When Jackie Gonzalez was just young, doctors assumed that she was pining for attention when she restlessly tried to rub her feet and describing that she was in constant pain. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that doctors and scientists diagnosed her with Erythromelalgia, also known as ‘Man on Fire Syndrome’. It's a rare condition, and even rarer for people to be born with it, like Jackie was. But what if this uncommon ailment could be cured with the help of an even less common animal?

Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with Adele Gonzalvez from the University of Sydney on her work to understand the genetic properties of platypus venom. Researchers indicate that their peculiar toxin could put a halt to chronic pain. Meanwhile, producer Sean Holden, puts on rubber waders and sloshes into the boggy waters of Southern Australia to find the notoriously elusive platypus and its venom.

—

Highlights:

(6:28) A lifetime of pain, Jackie Gonzalez on having Erythromelalgia

(13:51) A weird and wonderful platypus with Adele Gonzalvez

(21:30) On the platypus prowl, Josh Griffith and his team search for platypus and their venom

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/3Nv5X6v

—

Resources:

Next-gen painkillers from nature’s deadliest life forms | The University of Queensland

Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021 | MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

You Won’t Think the Platypus Is So Cute if You Feel the Excruciating Pain of Its Venom | Slate

The Science of Pain | GI Society

The mysterious science of pain - Joshua W. Pate | TED-Ed

Human pain and genetics: some basics | British Journal of Pain

Genetic contributions to pain: a review of findings in humans | Oral Dis. 2008 Nov;14(8):673-82

Why Do I Have Pain? | KidsHealth Medical Experts

Channelopathy-associated congenital insensitivity to pain | Medline Plus

Erythromelalgia | StatPearls Publishing

SCN9A gene sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9 | Medline Plus

—

Credit:

Special thanks to Jackie Gonzalez from the Erythromelalgia Association for providing field recordings of her daily experience living with EM.

View Details

Challenging our assumptions about sleep

—

Highlights:

(06:37) - Clocks in our bodies, understanding Circadian Rythms

(10:17) - Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder and later sleep, a chicken or egg dilemma

(15:19) - Challenging overwork in Japan and the importance of sleep

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/47PXwuv

—

Resources:

Molecular Mechanisms of REM Sleep | Neurosci

The ability to dream may be genetic | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)

Next-Generation Mice Genetics for Circadian Studies | Neuromethods

Evolution of temporal order in living organisms | Journal of Circadian Rhythms

Learn about the bunker experiment to understand the human biological clock | Britannica

Genetic sleep deprivation: using sleep mutants to study sleep functions | EMBO reports

Circadian rhythms and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The what, the when and the why | Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

Insomnia: Definition, Prevalence, Etiology, and Consequences | Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine

No Sleep for Japan? Survey Reveals Half of Population May Have Insomnia | Nippon.com

Why Sleep Matters: Quantifying the Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep | Rand Corporation

Japan has some of the longest working hours in the world. It’s trying to change | CNBC

Announcement of the establishment of the nonpartisan "Parliamentary League to Promote Initiatives for People's Quality Sleep" | Sleeping Council Federation

Founder/Director CTO Yasumi Ueda gave a speech at the inaugural general meeting of the nonpartisan "Parliamentary League to Promote Initiatives for People's Quality Sleep" | ACCELStars

Free-running circadian activity rhythms in free-living beaver (Castor canadensis) | Journal of Comparative Physiology

Credits:

Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye

Curbing death by overwork | Financial Times

Why does Japan Work So Hard? | CNBC Explains

Worked to Death: Japan questions high-pressure corporate culture | France 24 English

Inside Japan’s growing ‘lonely death’ clean-up service | CNN International

How can governments help stop overwork? | The Question | CBC News: The National

View Details

Challenging our assumptions on toxins

What’s more terrifying than the true life tales of bloodcurdling and breathstopping toxins? This Hallows' Eve we're taking a page from the history books to make sense of puzzling poisons of our past and present.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with Toxicologist Dr. Kimberly Garrett as they connect the dots across the globe of some of the most notorious and subtle poisonings in history. From investigating the final words of a disgraced emperor, tragic fates of conquesting explorers, wisdom from whimsical alchemists and desperate Victorian candy maker ploys, they demystify the distinction between necessary warning labels to lifelines concocted with a drop of poison.

In these ghoulish stories, a healthy dose of information could be a lifesaver.

—

Highlights:

(08:46) - Origins of 'the dose Makes the poison', a sometimes right alchemist

(20:30) - A deathly candy maker on hallows eve

(23:28) - Toxins in the water, understanding PFAS

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/47ub5Qo

—

Resources:

Was Napolean Poisoned? | American Museum of Natural History

A Visit to Longwood | Napoleon.org

Pick Your Poison - 12 Toxic Tales | National Geographic

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Safe Shellfish | Fisheries Research Board of Canada

Unprecedented toxic algal blooms impact on Tasmanian seafood industry

Paracelsus, the Alchemist Who Wed Medicine to Magic | Science History Institute

“The Dose Makes the Poison” | Chemical Safety Facts

Everyday Toxicology – The dose makes the poison & the cure | Michigan State University

Box Jellyfish | National Geographic

Phylogenetic and Selection Analysis of an Expanded Family of Putatively Pore-Forming Jellyfish Toxins (Cnidaria: Medusozoa) | Genome Biology and Evolution

Following Lewis and Clark’s Trail of Mercurial Laxatives | Discover

How Tainted Treats Led to a Halloween Tragedy in 1858 | Atlas Obscura

Multi- and Transgenerational Effects of Developmental Exposure to Environmental Levels of PFAS and PFAS Mixture in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) | Toxics

PFAS Resources | PFAS Exchange

PFAS Free Producsts| PFAS Central

The US National Institutes of Health's searchable chemical database | PubChem

Improving governance of “forever chemicals” in the US and beyond | One Earth

Arsenic Exposure and Toxicology: A Historical Perspective | Society of Toxicology

The gastric disease of Napoleon Bonaparte: brief report for the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death on St. Helena in 1821 | Virchows Archiv

—

Credit:

Bonapartes Retreat - Kay Starr - Pee Wee King | Capitol

Rule, Britannia - Royal Choral Society - The Philharmonia Orchestra | His Master’s Voice

View Details

Challenging our assumptions around fatness

ShantaQuilette Carter was in her late 30’s when she had her first stroke. It felt like death was lurking over her shoulder. But when her doctor suggests fending it off by using a drug she had never heard of before, a boatload of questions come to the surface.

Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with experts to challenge the everyday assumptions we make about our health and weight. She speaks with professor and journalist Harriet Brown on the fact-finding mission she embarked on to help her daughter struggling with anorexia. Then, Dr. Michael Lyon, with the Obesity Medicine and Diabetes Institute, shares the scaly lizard origins of one of the world's most powerful tools in treating type 2 diabetes.

—

Highlights:

(06:57) The drug that changed her life, ShantaQuilette on struggling with weight

(09:00) How a lizard from Utah is saving lives, Dr. Michael Lyon explains the origins of Ozempic

(17:00) Harriet Brown on a mission to display assumptions on weight and health

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/3QM7EPi

—

Resources:

Diabetes: Key Facts | The World Health Organization

How a Canadian scientist and a venomous lizard helped pave the way for Ozempic | Global News

I’m a Fat Activist. I Don’t Use the Word Fatphobia. Here’s Why | self.com

Shortage of diabetes, weight-loss drug Ozempic expected in Canada, says manufacturer | Canadian Broadcast Corporation

An Aggressive New Approach to Childhood Obesity | The New York Times

Body of Truth: By Harriet Brown | Da Capo Lifelong Books

Is Body Positivity Glamourising Obesity | The Wellness Insider

Why People Become Overweight | Harvard University

Here’s How Your Genes Impact Your Ability to Lose Weight | healthline

What Made Humans ‘the Fat Primate’ | Duke University

Genes and Obesity | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

After his suicide, a man’s family says Ozempic should carry a warning label | ABC News

—

Credit:

Ozempic commercial ™ | Ozempics TM

New Ozempic lawsuit over alleged 'stomach paralysis' | WNN | ABC News

Why Are Some Using Diabetes Drug Ozempic for Weight Loss? | Inside Edition

Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars Monologue 2023 | Jimmy Kimmel Live

View Details

Questioning persistent myths about same-sex behaviour in nature

Can we predict who we love from our genetics alone? For LGBT History Month in October, Dr. Kaylee Byers is joined by co-host Dr. Julia Monk to look at what our genes teach us about diverse forms of sexuality and identity. Starting by witnessing a pair of male penguins cozying up, our hosts join flippers to unearth research from naturalists who have recorded same-sex behaviour in the wild. Then they invite socio-geneticist Dr. Robbee Wedow to guide us through his own research, where he puts the question: "Is there a gay gene?" to the test.

—

Highlights:

(00:30) A match made in pebbles

(07:15) Buried papers, Darwinian Paradoxes, and reframing same-sex behaviour

(20:27) Is there a Gay Gene? 'Damned if you do damned if you don't.'

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/3FNfz8C

—

References:

Gay Penguins Klaus, Jones ‘rekindled their romance’ at Melbourne aquarium | New York Daily News

Nature is queer. Queer ecologists want us to learn from it. | Grist

Is nature Queer? | Out & About | CBC

Terra Nova notebooks describing penguin sexual behaviours acquired by the Museum | Natural History Museum

An alternative hypothesis for the evolution of same-sex sexual behaviour in animals | Nature Ecology & Evolution

Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior | Science

Many Genes Influence Same-Sex Sexuality, Not a Single ‘Gay Gene’ | The New York Times

No 'gay gene', but study finds genetic links to sexual behavior | Reuters

How Earnest Research Into Gay Genetics Went Wrong | Wired

—

Credit:

Gentoo Penguin · Pygoscelis papua | xeno-canto

"No Gay Gene"-Born This Way Is A Lie Says GOP Lawmaker | Michael McIntee

Australian current affairs programme "The 7.30 Report" (1995) "Gay Brains" | The 7.30 Report

Nature or Nurture - Are People Born Gay? | Naked Science

View Details

Challenging assumptions around food security

Special thanks to Mark Smith with Darwin Fruit Farm Party Limited for providing field recordings for this episode.

—

Highlights:

(01:48) Peeling into bananageddon

(10:33) The cavendish equation, a lucky banana swap

(20:57) Safety net, saving the cavendish

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/46THrTU

—

References:

Why Don’t Banana Candies Taste Like Real Bananas? | Science Friday

What We Can Learn From the Near-Death of the Banana | TIME

Banana Wars: Power, Production, and History in the Americas | Duke University Press

Chinese coolies | National Library Board

The Story of the Cavendish Banana | Tenerife Weekly

Not your mother’s banana | Bananageddon

Fungal attacks threaten global food supply, say experts | The Guardian

The banana is dying. The race is on to reinvent it before it's too late | Wired

QUT-developed GM Cavendish offers safety net to world banana industry | Queensland University of Technology

—

Credit:

Journey to Banana Land: By the United Fruit Company (1950) | Institute of Visual Training

Ag Report: Fighting rural farm crime; banana disease; and ag grant award | ABC News

View Details

Cross-examining the origins of our base pairs

One of our most foundational assumptions is that ‘Our DNA is our own.’ But what if our DNA is stolen? There's a puzzling phenomenon called 'horizontal gene transfer' in which one organisms' genetics jumps to another. Dr. Kaylee Byers is joined by invertebrate specialists Dr. Anna Klompen from the Stowers Institute, and Dr. Jessica Goodheart, a marine biologist hunting for nudibranchs, "gene pirates" of the sea. And Dr. Ted Turlings will tell us how his trip to China led to an exciting discovery about the whitefly -- another common but crafty genetic thief. A final word of advice. Next time a goopy organism bumps into you in a crowd, make sure to check your genes!

A special thanks to the laboratory of Professor Youjun Zhang Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing. Drs. Zhaojiang Guo, Jixing Xia, and Zezhong Yang.

—

Highlights:

(00:00) Finding the Transforming Principle

(11:34) A colorful and slick ocean pirate

(17:50) The hunt for a fluttering and destructive gene thief

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/49qSB4T

—

Resources:

Frederick Griffith - British Bacteriologist | Britannica

Griffith’s Experiment - Progress in Molecular Biology and Transitional Science | Science Direct

20 Cool Genomics Facts - 13&14: Antibiotic resistance | Genome BC

Ancient viral DNA may help humans fight infections | National Institute of Health

Venom system variation and the division of labor in the colonial hydrozoan Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus | Science Direct

Nematocyst sequestration evolution | The Goodheart lab

A chromosome-level genome for the nudibranch gastropod Berghia stephanieae helps parse clade-specific gene expression in novel and conserved phenotypes | bioRxiv

First Report of Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Plant and Animal | The Scientist

Pretty Sly for a Whitefly | The Atlantic

First known gene transfer from plant to insect identified | Nature

Whiteflies stole a gene from plants to survive their lethal toxins | Earth.com

—

Credit:

Lady Margot Asquith on the outbreak of World War I Roman Styran

View Details

What did your grade four teacher say? "Never Assume. It makes an..." well, you know the rest. We all fall into the trap of our own assumptions from time to time. But in the weird and wonderful world of science, assumptions can misguide research madly off in all directions. That's why challenging assumptions is so important!

Join host Dr. Kaylee Byers and the Nice Genes! podcast team on a journey to learn the truth about some of our most deeply held assumptions. We’ll uncover whether our DNA is truly our own, or a product of genetic theft. We’ll question how societal baggage colours commonly held views about weight and health. And we’ll ponder the genetic puzzle that many assume holds the key to who we are, and who we love. So buckle up your genomics belt and help us follow the assumptions "paper trail." Along the way -- you just might learn the truth about some of our most deeply held societal beliefs.

View Details

How a Reptilian 'Virgin Birth' Baffled Scientists

Dr. Kaylee Byers and Producer Phoebe Melvin share one lonely crocodile's story that surprised scientists and sheds light on their distant relatives that once wandered the earth.

Resources:

'Virgin Birth' recorded in Crocodile for 1st time ever | Live Science

Monsieur Crocodile - Les 5 Pères | Austin Foundation

Crocodile Tears - Eddy Howard and His Orchestra | Austin Foundation

View Details

Welcome to our first Gene Shorts Episode! It's the trademark storytelling you love in Nice Genes! but bite sized.

In this episode Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with Producer Phoebe Melvin about a potentially life saving discovery lurking in the damp depths of brown bear caves.

View Details

Repairing the Environment: Climate Special Part 2

With disappearing species, plastic-filled oceans, and environmental commitments lagging behind global targets, it's easy to feel like humanity's fate is already sealed. But can we 'science' our way out of it?

In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers meets up with Dr. Aria Hahn to discuss what she believes could be a handy tool to repair some of the damage that's already been done to the planet. While becoming a scientist, she spotted the incredible potential of microbes, tiny organisms responsible for the foundations of life on earth. These tiny microbes have a large role to play in helping us create renewable resources and repair the areas devastated by our climate crisis. Second, we join microbiologist Dr. Christopher Rinke whose relaxing sailboat getaway lead him to discover a wriggly solution to the world's plastic pollution problem.

From insect guts to cold hydrothermal vents, the odd places on our planet hold critical answers, and may even shape our future on this spinning rock we call home.

Special thanks to the University of British Columbia students who shared their voices on this episode and scientist and diver Dale Anderson for sharing recordings from his adventures to Antarctica.

Resources:1. What Microbes Can Teach Us About Adapting to Climate Change | American Society for Microbiology
2. Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change | Nature
3. Nutrient Acquisition and the Metabolic Potential of Photoferrotrophic Chlorobi | University of British Columbia
4. BC's giant landslide serves as warning for other parts of the world | Global News
5. Soapy the Germ Fighter | Avis Films
6. Here’s how the mining industry can respond to climate change | McKinsey Sustainability
7. 'Superworms' survive solely on polystyrene, as researchers look to create plastic recycling technology | ABC News
8. Superworms: how plastic-eating larvae sparked a scientific breakthrough | The University of Queensland
9. Wax worm saliva rapidly breaks down plastic bags, scientists discover | The Guardian
10. Climate change and the microbiology of the Antarctic Peninsula region | British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council
11. Survival strategies of an anoxic microbial ecosystem in Lake Untersee, a potential analog for Enceladus | Nature Portfolio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

Tracking diseases using genomics

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

Resources:1. Infection control in the new age of genomic epidemiology | British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory
2. The permafrost pandemic: could the melting Arctic release a deadly disease | Unearthed
3. Viral spillover risk increases with climate change in High Arctic lake sediments | The Royal Society
4. Healthy ecosystems for human and animal health: Science diplomacy for responsible development in the Arctic | The Nordic Centre of Excellence
5. Understanding and Responding to Global Health Security Risks from Microbial Threats in the Arctic: Proceedings of a Workshop | National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine
6. Next pandemic may come from melting glaciers, new data shows | The Guardian
7. Scientists Revived Ancient 'Zombie Viruses' Frozen For Eons in Siberia | Science Alert
8. A 48,500-year-old virus has been revived from Siberian permafrost | NewScientist
9. Anthrax outbreak in Siberia | euro news
10. CBC News: The National | Russia invades Ukraine | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)
11. National Geographic: Explorer Directory, Melandri Vlok | National Geographic
12. Paleoepidemiological Considerations of Mobility and Population Interaction in the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Prehistoric Past | Bioarchaeology International
13. The Epidemiological Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change | Milbank Memorial Fund
14. Forager and farmer evolutionary adaptations to malaria evidenced by 7000 years of thalassemia in Southeast Asia | nature portfolio
15. CARD 2020: antibiotic resistome surveillance with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database | Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

Preparing the Environment: Climate Special Part 1

In part 1 of our climate special, we revisit our oceans to look at the rocky atolls and reefs that are home to colourful world builders, coral!

Since the 1950’s the planet has lost half of its coral reefs due to degradation. With ocean temperatures rising and harmful environmental and human activities, how can we better protect essential ecosystems for communities and marine life alike?

Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with Dr. Shayle Matsuda, a marine biologist looking into the effects of environmental stresses on coral reefs due to the climate crisis. And with the aid of genomic sequencing, Shayle wonders if we can utilize a clever symbiotic relationship found on these fascinating organisms to cultivate greater reef resilience into the future. Next, meet Ben Williams from the University of Exeter, who shares a unique acoustic invention to help restore reefs in Indonesia. And finally, researcher Madelyn Jones takes us through her work on the British Columbia coast to replenish the spiralling towers we call "kelp forests."

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

Resources:
1. The sound of recovery: Coral reef restoration success is detectable in the soundscape | British Ecological Society
2. Vital Signs: Ocean Warming | NASA
3. The Planet Has Lost Half of Its Coral Reefs Since 1950 | Smithsonian
4. Coral Reefs Could All Die Off by 2050 | EcoWatch
5. ‘Dire outlook’: scientists say Florida reefs have lost nearly 98% of coral | The Guardian
6. Report: Florida's Coral Reefs Among Most Damaged In U.S. | CBS Local News
7. HydroMoth: Testing a prototype low-cost acoustic recorder for aquatic environments | ZSL
8. What is a kelp forest? | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
9. Canada’s kelp forests are at risk. A seaweed farmer is trying to save them | CBC Creator Network
10. Months after mass die-off of sea creatures in B.C. heat dome, researchers return in search of signs of life | CBC News
11. Coral Bleaching Susceptibility Is Predictive of Subsequent Mortality Within but Not Between Coral Species | Frontiers
12. Larval thermal conditioning does not improve post-settlement thermal tolerance in the dominant reef-building coral, Montipora capitata | Springer
13. Genome-powered classification of microbial eukaryotes: focus on coral algal symbionts | Science Direct
12. Do Coral Reefs Produce Oxygen? | Techie Scientist
14. What is coral spawning? | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
15. Myth 5 - Genomics Can't Help Climate Change | Genome British Columbia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

A genomic whale of a story

Dr. Kaylee Byers looks into the ocean giants that lurk in the depths and the unique songs they share with us. She sits down with whale biologist Dr. Jennifer Allen on how whale songs are imparting a cultural exchange between populations that are hundreds of miles apart. Filmmaker Joshua Zeman shares his journey to find the infamously dubbed 'Loneliest Whale'. And Paeleobiologist Dr. Travis Park from the Museum of Natural History in London tells us how whales developed their unique singing superpowers by taking us back through millions of years of evolution. Finally, researcher Grace Baer brings us to a remote west coast station studying whale populations and the effects of ocean traffic noise.

It's a whale-sized episode taking you on a listening journey into this wonderful watery world!

CREDITS:

Special thanks to Captain Gaelen Krause of the Island Odyssey, for capturing recordings on his journey to search for whales along the British Columbia coast. Thank you to BCwhales.org, North Coast Cetacean Society, for providing hydrophone recordings in this episode. Credit to Joshua Zeman and Bleecker Street Media for providing audio clips from their documentary The Loneliest Whale: The Seach for 52. And finally, credit to Watkins Mammal Sound Database with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for access to their whale recordings.

Resources:1. Southern Resident Killer Whale Research Project | Parks Canada2. Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural 'deep dive' | phys.org
3. Whale-monitoring robots are oceanic eavesdroppers with a mission | Popular Science
4. Whale Songs Are Getting Deeper | The Atlantic
5. The search for the loneliest whale in the world | The Guardian
6. The Loneliest Whale: The Search fro 52 | Bleecker Street Media
7. BTS (방탄소년단) Whalien 52' MV | BigHit Entertainment
7. Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
8. Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean Life - But We Can Fix it | TIME
9. Convergent evolution in toothed whale cochleae | BMC Evolutionary Biology
10. Evolutionary Basis of High-Frequency Hearing in the Cochleae of Echolocators Revealed by Comparative Genomics | Oxford Academic
11. Genome-culture coevolution promotes rapid divergence of killer whale ecotypes | Nature
12. DNA Suggests Cultural Traits Affect Whale Evolution | Science
13. San Francisco: Dead Whale Opens Seafood Season | Universal International Newswire
14. Songs of the Humpback Whale | Roger Payne, CRM Records
15. Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive
16. Monaco - International Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive
17. Bubble Net Feeding | BC Whales
18. Cool Genomics Facts - Fact 4 & 5: Environmental DNA | Genome British Columbia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

The Importance of Biodiversity

Resources:1. Lab takes 'giant leap' toward thylacine de-extinction with Colossal genetic engineering technology partnership | The University of Melbourne
2. Thylacine Integrated Genomic Restoration Research Lab (TIGRR Lab) | The University of Melbourne
3. Thylacine: How we plan to de-extinct the Tasmanian tiger | Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences
4. Extinction of thylacine | National Museum Australia
5. A year after Australia's wildfires, extinction threatens hundreds of species | Science News
6. Rewilding returns lost species to strengthen ecosystems | Science News
7. Park Conscious | U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
8. Endangered Tasmanian devils insured against future threats | The University of Sydney
9. The 9 Steps to De-Extincting Australia's Thylacine | The University of Melbourne
10. The Value of Reference Genomes in the Conservation of Threatened Species | Marsupial Genetics and Genomics
11. Assessing evolutionary processes over time in a conservation breeding program: a combined approach using molecular data, simulations and pedigree analysis | Biodiversity and Conservation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

Protecting Local Wildlife Icons

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

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

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

Solving murder mysteries with genomics[TW: murder, mention of suicide, violent imagery]

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

Genetic Genealogist, Cece Moore, from ABC’s Prime time series The Genetic Detective helps connect the dots. And partnering with us to get to the bottom of one of Canada’s oldest mysteries is true crime author and podcaster Eve Lazarus from Cold Case Canada.Listen to Nice Genes! wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.

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

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

Resources:

Eve Lazarus, Author and Podcaster
Murder, Mystery and Intrigue in Review: Babes in the Woods
Cece Moore - the DNA Detective
How Your Family Tree Could Catch a Killer - The New Yorker
Genetics, Law enforcement and crime - Personal Genetics Education Project
Killer Eludes Police for 31 years - how did one woman find him in two hours? - cbsnews
Seattle man's conviction for 1987 murders of B.C.'s Tanya van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook overturned - CBC
The National DNA Data Bank - The B.C. Civil Liberties Association
For nearly 70 years, these 2 murdered boys were known as the 'Babes in the Woods.' Now they finally have names - CBC
Maryland V. King - 2013 Supreme Court decision on Maryland DNA Collection Act
Supreme Court Upholds Warrantless Collection Of DNA - NPR
How DNA can reunite families - Endeavor DNA Laboratories

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

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

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

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

Resources:

Genetic Mutation - Nature
Genomic mutation rates: What high-throughput methods can tell us
Shane Campbell Staton Group - Tuskless Elephants
Ivory poaching and the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants - Science
Real-Life X-Men: How CRISPR Could Give You Superpowers in the Future - synthego.com
Indonesian divers have evolved bigger spleens to hunt underwater - Science
Mutations may reveal how Tibetans can live on world's highest plateau - Science
The Immortal Jellyfish - American Museum of Natural History
Cellular reprogramming and immortality: Expression profiling reveals putative genes involved in Turritopsis dohrnii’s life cycle reversal
Transcriptome Characterization of Reverse Development in Turritopsis dohrnii (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria)
Horizontal gene transfer and adaptive evolution in bacteria - nature reviews microbiology
Horizontal gene transfer overrides mutation in Escherichia coli colonizing the mammalian gut - PNAS
The Ship of Theseus Dilemma - Open Okstate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

Race is not genetic.TW: racism, systemic racism

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

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

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

Listen to Nice Genes! wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia.Check out this episode's Learn-A-Long at the following link: https://bit.ly/3zgWKrS

Resources:

Analysis of the genomic landscapes of Barbadian and Nigerian women with triple negative breast cancer, Dr. Shawn Hercules
In those Genes Podcast, Dr. Janina M. Jeff
Eske Willerslev Is Rewriting History With DNA, The New York Times
The Ancestry and affiliations of Kennewick Man, nature
Racial bias in a medical algorithm favors white patients over sicker black patients, The Washington Post
The promise and peril of the new science of social genomics, nature
How Science and Genetics are Reshaping the Race Debate of the 21st Century
Sam Harris, Charles Murray, and the allure of race science
Social Genomics and the Life Course: Opportunities and Challenges for Multilevel Population Research
Race, Ethnicity, and Genomics: Social Classifications as Proxies of Biological Heterogeneity

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:

Dr.Cylita Guy, Science Storyteller and Educator
Spot the Species, game
Gabi Fleury - Conservationist, technologist, Researcher
What is eDNA
Dr. Eske Willerslev, DNA Scientist, Professor and Director of University of Copenhagen’s Centre of Excellence GeoGenetics
Diverse Plant and Animal Genetic Records from Holocene and Pleistocene Sediments, Science
Identifying twice as many species with eDNA, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Going out for dinner—The consumption of agriculture pests by bats in urban areas
Book: Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats: Urban Ecology, Community Science, and How We Share Our Cities

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:

How it Works: What is Pharmacogenetics?
Pharmacogenomics for Depression Study
Congratulations to Dr. Jehannine Austin, Recipient of $1.5M in Funding to Explore Pharmacogenomic Testing in Clinical Settings
BC researchers are exploring the use of genomics to improve drug treatments for people with depression
Pharmacogenomics Guided Prescription Changes Improved Medication Effectiveness in Patients With Mental Health-Related Disability: A Retrospective Cohort Analyses
The genetics of depression: successful genome-wide association studies introduce new challenges
Patterns of Endocrine, Behavioural, and Neural Function Underlying Social Deficits after Social Instability Stress in Adolescent Rats
The Mysterious 98%: Scientists Look to Shine Light on Our Dark Genome
A Dark Genome Link to Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

Look, we get it.

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

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

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

Resources:

How the Human Genome Project revolutionized understanding of our DNA
Who was involved in the Human Genome Project?
Genome Spotlight: Christmas Island Rat (Rattus macleari)
Scientists think they could 'de-extinct' the Christmas Island rat. But should they?
Giants in genomics: Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin Biography
Brain Basics: Genes At Work In The Brain

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

View Details

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

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

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nice Genes!: Recent Episodes

Genome BC