Words About Biology: Recent Episodes
Andrea Bedford
Each week I'll be discussing a different current biological research topic, explaining how it applies to the real world. There's so much research going on, but so little of it makes it to the general public -- I'm here to change this. Blog: wordsaboutbiology.wordpress.com
Today’s episode is just a brief update on Episode 19 with new work published on microbes discovered on the International Space Station. Here’s a link to the published work: Methylobacterium ajmalii sp. nov., Isolated From the International Space Station
Today’s episode is just a brief update on Episode 19 with new work published on microbes discovered on the International Space Station.
Here’s a link to the published work:
Methylobacterium ajmalii sp. nov., Isolated From the International Space Station
This week’s episode gives a general overview of the biological research ongoing at NASA Science.
Here’s a link to the Space Biology program at NASA Science.
This is the paper discussed in this podcast:
Counteracting Muscle Atrophy on Earth and in Space via Nanofluidics Delivery of Formoterol
This week’s episode gives a general overview of the biological research ongoing at NASA Science. Here’s a link to the Space Biology program at NASA Science. This is the paper discussed in this podcast:Counteracting Muscle Atrophy on Earth and in Space via Nanofluidics Delivery of Formoterol
This week’s episode discusses the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, what a plant-only agriculture system would look like, and some strategies for reducing methane emissions by cattle. Here are the papers I discuss in this episode: Nutritional and greenhouse gas impacts of removing animals from US agriculture Inclusion of Asparagopsis armata in lactating … Continue reading "Animal Agriculture & the Environment"
This week’s episode discusses the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, what a plant-only agriculture system would look like, and some strategies for reducing methane emissions by cattle.
Here are the papers I discuss in this episode:
- Nutritional and greenhouse gas impacts of removing animals from US agriculture
- Inclusion of Asparagopsis armata in lactating dairy cows’ diet reduces enteric methane emission by over 50 percent
- A heritable subset of the core rumen microbiome dictates dairy cow productivity and emissions
New Year, New Episodes! This first episode of 2021 discusses GalSafe Pigs which were recently approved by the FDA for human consumption and biomedical use. The following are the papers I discuss in the episode:1. Targeted disruption of the α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene in cloned pigs2. Production of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient pigs
New Year, New Episodes!
This first episode of 2021 discusses GalSafe Pigs which were recently approved by the FDA for human consumption and biomedical use.
The following are the papers I discuss in the episode:
1. Targeted disruption of the α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene in cloned pigs
2. Production of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient pigs
No audio this time, but I wanted to highlight some work being done on potatoes to improve their productivity with global environmental changes. The work discussed in this post are published in Current Biology: Post-transcriptional Regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS T Modulates Heat-Dependent Source-Sink Development in Potato In this paper, Lehretz and colleagues outline some work … Continue reading "Heat Tolerance in Potatoes"
I’m finally back with a new episode! This episode focuses on the Southern White Rhino, and how captive diets are impairing their reproductive success. Here’s a link to the paper I discuss: Gut Microbiota and Phytoestrogen-Associated Infertility in Southern White Rhinoceros
I’m finally back with a new episode! This episode focuses on the Southern White Rhino, and how captive diets are impairing their reproductive success.
https://ia601509.us.archive.org/12/items/Ep16RhinoFinal/Ep16RhinoFinal.mp3
Here’s a link to the paper I discuss:
Gut Microbiota and Phytoestrogen-Associated Infertility in Southern White Rhinoceros
This week’s episode talks about the hunting strategies of Great White Sharks, and how they relate to their energetics. Turns out, they’re kind of lazy hunters…check it out here!
https://ia601504.us.archive.org/31/items/Episode15GWSharks/Episode%2015%20GWSharks.mp3
Here is the paper I discuss:
Swimming strategies and energetics of endothermic white sharks during foraging
This week’s episode talks about the hunting strategies of Great White Sharks, and how they relate to their energetics. Turns out, they’re kind of lazy hunters…check it out here! Here is the paper I discuss: Swimming strategies and energetics of endothermic white sharks during foraging
On this episode I’m talking about the axolotl! This salamander holds a lot of potential in biological research due to its ability to regenerate limbs. Check out the episode here:
https://ia801403.us.archive.org/8/items/Ep14AxolotlFull/Ep14AxolotlFull.mp3
Here are the links to the papers I mention:
- The axolotl genome and the evolution of key tissue formation regulators
- Macrophages are required for adult salamander limb regeneration
On this episode I’m talking about the axolotl! This salamander holds a lot of potential in biological research due to its ability to regenerate limbs. Check out the episode here: Here are the links to the papers I mention: The axolotl genome and the evolution of key tissue formation regulators Macrophages are required for adult … Continue reading "Episode 14 – Axolotls"
This week, I’m discussing the history of cloning, along with its current applications. Check it out! Here are a couple links related to the work I discuss: 1. Cloning of Macaque Monkeys by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer 2. Revive & Restore – Passenger Pigeon
This week, I’m discussing the history of cloning, along with its current applications. Check it out!
https://ia801505.us.archive.org/0/items/Episode13CloningComplete/Episode%2013%20-%20CloningComplete.mp3
Dolly the Sheep Here are a couple links related to the work I discuss:
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Cloning of Macaque Monkeys by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
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Revive & Restore – Passenger Pigeon
Hey Everyone! A very interesting paper came out yesterday, and while I don’t have time to make a podcast about it, I did want to make a blog post. Here is a link to the article in question: Biparental Inheritance of Mitochondrial DNA in Humans Mitochondria are known as the ‘power house’ of the cell, … Continue reading "Paternal Mitochondrial DNA?"
One heifer on my trial. They wear hoodies to help protect the catheter sites on their necks. This week I’m discussing my most recently published article! This is work that I did at Virginia Tech with dairy heifers, looking at the effects of supplemental post-absorptive propionate on energy metabolism and reproductive performance.
https://ia601508.us.archive.org/3/items/Ep12ProRepro/Ep11ProRepro.mp3
You can find the article here: Propionate Affects Insulin Signaling and Progesterone Profiles in Dairy Heifers
This week I’m discussing my most recently published article! This is work that I did at Virginia Tech with dairy heifers, looking at the effects of supplemental post-absorptive propionate on energy metabolism and reproductive performance. You can find the article here: Propionate Affects Insulin Signaling and Progesterone Profiles in Dairy Heifers
This week’s episode discusses all those microbes living in your intestine — the gut microbiota! How can all these bacteria effect your behaviour? Listen here… Here are a couple links to the papers I mention in this episode: 1. Gut/brain axis and the microbiota 2. Gut microbiome and depression: what we know and what … Continue reading "Episode 11 – Gut Microbiota"
This week’s episode discusses all those microbes living in your intestine — the gut microbiota! How can all these bacteria effect your behaviour? Listen here…
https://ia801503.us.archive.org/14/items/Ep11GutMicrobiomeLoco/Ep11GutMicrobiomeLoco.mp3
Here are a couple links to the papers I mention in this episode:
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Gut/brain axis and the microbiota
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Gut microbiome and depression: what we know and what we need to know
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A gut microbial factor modulates locomotor behaviour in Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster
This week’s episode talks about the newly legalized (in Canada) Cannabis. Coming from a biological point of view, what work can be, or has been done with the Cannabis plant in order to improve crop performance and yield? Here are a couple links to the work done at the University of Guelph: Optimal Rate of … Continue reading "Episode 10 – The New Cash Crop"
This week’s episode talks about the newly legalized (in Canada) Cannabis. Coming from a biological point of view, what work can be, or has been done with the Cannabis plant in order to improve crop performance and yield?
https://ia601505.us.archive.org/11/items/Episode10Full/Episode10Full.mp3
Here are a couple links to the work done at the University of Guelph:
Optimal Rate of Organic Fertilizer during the Flowering Stage for Cannabis Grown in Two Coir-based Substrates
Vegetative propagation of cannabis by stem cuttings: effects of leaf number, cutting position, rooting hormone, and leaf tip removal
This site gives a really good run down on the different terpenes, and how they could affect your experience: Leafly
This week’s episode discusses how the new USMCA agreement affects the dairy market, specifically in regards to the use of rBST in cattle. Here’s the link to the meta-analysis I discuss: A meta-analysis review of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin 2. Effects on animal health, reproductive performance, and culling
In Canada, this is the logo you’re looking for if you want to steer clear of rBST milk products. This week’s episode discusses how the new USMCA agreement affects the dairy market, specifically in regards to the use of rBST in cattle.
https://ia601507.us.archive.org/26/items/WABrBST/WABrBST.mp3
Here’s the link to the meta-analysis I discuss:
A meta-analysis review of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin 2. Effects on animal health, reproductive performance, and culling
Back at you with part two of the CRISPR discussion! On this episode I go through three recently published articles showing some of the applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. Here are links to the three papers I discuss: 1. Muscle-specific CRISPR/Cas9 dystrophin gene editing ameliorates pathophysiology in a mouse model for Duchenne muscular … Continue reading "Episode 8 – CRISPR Pt. 2"
Back at you with part two of the CRISPR discussion! On this episode I go through three recently published articles showing some of the applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system.
https://ia601504.us.archive.org/30/items/WABCRISPRPt2/WABCRISPRPt2.mp3
Here are links to the three papers I discuss:
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Muscle-specific CRISPR/Cas9 dystrophin gene editing ameliorates pathophysiology in a mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
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Inactivation of porcine endogenous retrovirus in pigs using CRISPR-Cas9
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Development of broad virus resistance in non‐transgenic cucumber using CRISPR/Cas9 technology
Zucchini yellow mosaic virus
This week you get part 1 of a two part podcast on CRISPR-Cas technology. In this first part I’m talking about what it is and how it works. Next episode I’ll go though some recent research articles using the CRISPR-Cas system!
This week you get part 1 of a two part podcast on CRISPR-Cas technology. In this first part I’m talking about what it is and how it works. Next episode I’ll go though some recent research articles using the CRISPR-Cas system!
https://ia601502.us.archive.org/6/items/WABEpisode7/WABEpisode7.mp3
A visual representation of how the CRISPR-Cas system works to combat a viral infection.
In this week’s episode I’m talking about blood types, and a technique that could be used to develop universal blood:
https://ia601505.us.archive.org/5/items/WABEpisode6/WABEpisode6.mp3
Here’s a good visual representation of the red blood cells of different ABO blood types, and the antibodies present in plasma associated with these types. This image allows you to visualize the sugar structures on the different blood type red blood cells. Each hexagon represents a different sugar type. Note how to A, B, and AB red blood cells have additional sugars that the O red blood cells do not. These are the desired targets of the enzymes. As promised here’s the link to the abstract I discuss:
Discovery of CAZYmes for cell surface glycan removal through metagenomics: Towards universal blood
And here is an additional paper by the same group:
oward Efficient Enzymes for the Generation of Universal Blood through Structure-Guided Directed Evolution
In this week’s episode I’m talking about blood types, and a technique that could be used to develop universal blood: As promised here’s the link to the abstract I discuss: Discovery of CAZYmes for cell surface glycan removal through metagenomics: Towards universal blood And here is an additional paper by the same group: oward Efficient … Continue reading "Episode 6 – Blood Types"
This week I’m talking about our understanding of how humans differ genetically in order to have acquired speech, and how that understanding has changed based on current research. Here are the links to the articles I discuss: 1. A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder 2. Molecular evolution of FOXP2, … Continue reading "Episode 5 – Human Speech"
From Great Apes to Modern Day Humans — What differences make us capable of speech? This week I’m talking about our understanding of how humans differ genetically in order to have acquired speech, and how that understanding has changed based on current research.
https://ia601500.us.archive.org/13/items/WABEpisode5/WABEpisode5.mp3
Here are the links to the articles I discuss:
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A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder
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Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language
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The Derived FOXP2 Variant of Modern Humans Was Shared with Neandertals
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No Evidence for Recent Selection at FOXP2 among Diverse Human Populations
And I’m back! Here’s episode 4 for you: This week I’m talking about RNA Velocity, a cool new technique allowing for the calculation of not only RNA expression, but also whether that expression is increasing or decreasing at that point in time. Here’s a link to the Nature article (1), and the preprint PDF (2): … Continue reading "Episode 4 – RNA Velocity"
And I’m back! Here’s episode 4 for you:
https://ia601508.us.archive.org/30/items/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode4/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode4.mp3
This week I’m talking about RNA Velocity, a cool new technique allowing for the calculation of not only RNA expression, but also whether that expression is increasing or decreasing at that point in time. Here’s a link to the Nature article (1), and the preprint PDF (2):
1) RNA Velocity in Single Cells
2)Preprint PDF
As promised, here’s an image depicting the translation of DNA into precursor (or unedited) RNA, then regular (edited) RNA. These are the two items which they are taking the ratio of for their RNA dynamics calculations.
Hey everyone, I just wanted to leave a quick note saying there will not be a new episode this week. I’m heading off on a family vacation and won’t have time! See you next week!
On this week’s episode we take on the technique cell culture:
https://ia801500.us.archive.org/29/items/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode3/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode3.mp3
Here are links to the two articles I discuss in this episode.
Epithelial membrane protein 1 promotes tumor metastasis by enhancing cell migration via copine-III and Rac1
Anti-inflammatory effect of two Lactobacillus strains during infection with Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans in a HeLa cell culture model
On this week’s episode we take on the technique cell culture: Here are links to the two articles I discuss in this episode. Epithelial membrane protein 1 promotes tumor metastasis by enhancing cell migration via copine-III and Rac1 Anti-inflammatory effect of two Lactobacillus strains during infection with Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans in a HeLa … Continue reading "Episode 3 – Cell Culture"
Woo! Episode 2!
https://ia601509.us.archive.org/18/items/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode2/WordsAboutBiologyEpisode2.mp3
This week I’m talking about my trip to Knoxville to attend the ADSA (American Dairy Science Association) annual meeting. I’ve picked out 2 of the presentations to highlight on this episode. Here are the links to the abstracts where you can find more information:
Effects of feeding supplemental butyrate on passive transfer of immunity in Holstein calves
Effects of a recombinant bacterial expansin and an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme on preingestive fiber hydrolysis, fermentation and digestibility of corn silage
Woo! Episode 2! This week I’m talking about my trip to Knoxville to attend the ADSA (American Dairy Science Association) annual meeting. I’ve picked out 2 of the presentations to highlight on this episode. Here are the links to the abstracts where you can find more information: Effects of feeding supplemental butyrate on passive transfer … Continue reading "Episode 2 – ADSA 2018"
Here it is, the first episode of Words About Biology!
On this episode I discuss the direction of the podcast and dive a bit into my background and experience. Specifically, I talk about some of the work I did for my PhD. I said I’d post the proposed method of action model for EGF in the small intestine of piglets, so here it is.
For reference: SGLT1 (sodium-glucose transporter 1) is a glucose transporter. GLP2R is the receptor for glucagon-like peptide 2, a protein involved in intestinal growth. KGF (keratinocyte growth factor) aids in the formation of the epithelium. Muc2 is mucin 2, a component of the mucus that lines the small intestine. IL-13 is interleukin-13, a mediator of inflammation.
I know I don’t talk about all of these pathways in the episode, but they represent the bigger picture of what I looked into.
Additionally, if you’re looking for the published work I discuss, it can be found here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168165615000164
With that, I hope you enjoy, and feel free to message me with any comments or questions!
Here it is, the first episode of Words About Biology! On this episode I discuss the direction of the podcast and dive a bit into my background and experience. Specifically, I talk about some of the work I did for my PhD. I said I’d post the proposed method of action model for EGF in … Continue reading "First Episode! Hurrah!"