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Finding Genius Podcast

Finding Genius Podcast

Richard Jacobs

Podcast interviews with genius-level (top .1%) practitioners, scientists, researchers, clinicians and professionals in Cancer, 3D Bio Printing, CRISPR-CAS9, Ketogenic Diets, the Microbiome, Extracellular Vesicles, and more. Subscribe today for the latest medical, health and bioscience insights from geniuses in their field(s).
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Top 10 Finding Genius Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Finding Genius Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Finding Genius Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Finding Genius Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Finding Genius Podcast - The Viruses of Microbes—Simon Roux—Joint Genome Institute
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07/19/20 • 33 min

Simon Roux is a member of the metagenome project at the Joint Genome Institute, which is a part of the Berkeley Lab. In this episode, he discusses his research on viruses that affect microbial life. Tune in to discover:

  • How nutrient, UV, and chemical stress of the host cell could trigger the lytic cycle of viral reproduction
  • What is unique about filamentous bacteriophage
  • How phage predation could drive speciation of microorganisms
  • How biofilms can protect microbes from viruses

These days, it seems all the world has its focus on one virus, but Roux reminds us that there are likely billions of viruses in the universe, with at least one for every species on Earth. Over the course of the last five years or so, we’ve gone from having discovered just a few thousand virus genomes to now two million virus genomes. This is a massive amount of growth in data, and according to Roux, viruses will just continue to be discovered for the foreseeable future.

As part of the metagenome project, Roux uses a number of ‘omics’ to study the genetic composition and function of viruses, including metatranscriptomics and metabolomics. He focuses exclusively on viruses of microbes, whether bacteria, archaea, or protists. He explains that contrary to what many people think, viruses don’t just kill their host cells, but carry out an array of activities and may choose between a lytic infection and a chronic infection.

Roux discusses a number of topics involving phage, the viruses of bacteria. With over ten years’ worth of data at their fingertips, Roux is one of many researchers asking questions about the nature of the interactions between host cells of different types of microbes and viruses across microbial species.

To learn more about the work being done at Berkeley Lab and the Joint Genome Institute, visit https://www.lbl.gov/ and https://jgi.doe.gov/. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

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Archaeology offers profound insights into the history of our civilization. With each artifact uncovered, our understanding becomes clearer and more apparent. But what significance does the year 1177 BCE hold for human society and its collapse? Dr. Eric H. Cline joins the podcast to shed light on this pivotal moment...

Dr. Cline is a Professor of Classics, History, and Anthropology at George Washington University, a classical and biblical archaeologist, and an ancient historian. His research focuses on biblical archaeology, the military history of the Mediterranean world, the Bronze Age Aegean, and more.

Well-renowned in his field as a National Geographic Explorer, Fulbright scholar, NEH Public Scholar, Getty Scholar, and award-winning author, Dr. Cline is on a mission to uncover history’s greatest mysteries. What can his work tell us about the distant past? Dive in now to find out!

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What we can learn from the fall of human civilization.
  • Common misconceptions about archeological fieldwork.
  • The historical context of human civilization in 1177 BCE.
  • The network of societies that existed in the Bronze Age.

To learn more about Dr. Cline’s work with ancient history, click here. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9

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Audrey Gaskins, Assistant Professor, Epidemiology at Emory University, delivers an interesting overview of normal sperm motility, causes of abnormal sperm morphology, and the various factors involved with fertility and semen quality.

Gaskins’ extensive research has focused heavily upon the connections between environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors with fertility and fecundity in women and men.

She has published on the many benefits of folic acid, exceeding levels well above the current recommendations, in regard to preventing anovulation and incident pregnancy loss as well as boosting the success probability of infertility treatment. She is currently working on an NIH grant that is primarily focused on extending her research to study the possible interactions between diet, air pollution, and fertility among groups of women.

Gaskins talks about semen quality in men, and some research has shown that male semen quality globally is on the decline, which is of course an area of concern for researchers. She talks about the possible factors that could play a role in the decline in sperm count, discussing lifestyle and environmental exposures, etc. She discusses fertility in detail, and her interests have driven her to study men because men have been understudied in this regard she states. She talks about DNA fragmentation and genetics, in regard to her studies.

The professor goes on to discuss how age plays a role and factors into their studies. She talks about semen samples that they study and how they collect information on important variables that could be determinants in studies. And Gaskins discusses seasonal impacts, and other possible pollutants, etc. that could impact semen quality.

In this podcast:

What environmental factors could impact semen quality?

Reasons that semen quality could be decreasing globally

Does age play a role in semen quality?

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What's the next big leap in medicine? Nature may have more to offer than one may think. Listen up to learn:

  • How an ordinarily innocuous bacteria can become dangerous
  • Why antibiotics may fall short
  • What a biofilm is

Offer: This episode is sponsored by Bowmar Nutrition. To receive a 5% discount, use the code GENIUS5 at checkout. Go to BowmarNutrition.com to shop now!

Cassandra Leah Quave, an associate professor in the department of dermatology at Emery University, shares her quest for nature's next medicines.

Nature has offered treatments and medicines since ancient times. However, with increasingly resilient bacteria, viruses, and other conditions, new solutions need to be found.

These solutions may come in the form of new solutions found in nature for biofilm-related infections and highly drug-resistant conditions. The possible impact of anti-biofilm technology has tremendous potential, especially in quorum sensing and other stubborn conditions.

Visit https://cassandraquave.com to learn more.

Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C Episode also available on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3L3Lj9A

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Over 50 percent of people who are put on mechanical ventilation don’t survive. But for many, there is another option. Dr. Gutierrez explains.

Press play to learn:

  • How the use of high-flow nasal cannulas significantly reduces the concern of aerosolizing the COVID-19 virus and infecting healthcare workers
  • Why it can be so dangerous, if not fatal, to place people on mechanical ventilators
  • How high-flow nasal cannulas can be used as a replacement for mechanical ventilation in treating a number of diseases

Dr. Eddy Gutierrez is a critical care specialist at Baptist Medical Center in Florida who joins the show to share his firsthand experience in treating COVID-19 patients, and the benefits of replacing mechanical ventilation with high-flow nasal cannulas.

When COVID-19 first hit, Dr. Gutierrez and his colleagues were shocked by the high level of mortality and difficulty caring for those with the virus—especially since they always prioritized staying on the cutting edge of medicine and medical technology.

Initially, the conventional treatment for COVID-19 was to deliver oxygen to patients by putting them on mechanical ventilators. Dr. Gutierrez says it quickly became clear that there weren’t going to be enough ventilators, which led to the use of a life-saving technology called a high-flow nasal cannula.

And it really is life-saving, considering that the mortality rate of those who need to be intubated and put on a mechanical ventilator is so high, and the complications so numerous.

The high-flow nasal cannula is placed over the face of the patent and delivers a much higher flow of oxygen to the patient than conventional cannulas, but at the same time allows the patient to continue eating, communicating with loved ones on the phone or video chat, and even walking around in their hospital rooms.

Someone who is on a ventilator, in contrast, is unable to move, eat, or even breathe on their own, and may experience deadly consequences.

Find Dr. Gutierrez on Twitter and Instagram @eddyjoemd and check out his podcast, Saving Lives. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

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How can cancer be treated differently than how many others have accepted as standard? Gene therapy may be the solution to change the course of cancer treatment. Listen in to learn:

  • The chances of getting cancer in your lifetime
  • How CAR-T therapy operates
  • How genetic therapies are limited

CEO of Poseida Therapeutics, Eric Ostertag, discusses his work to develop safe, single-treatment cures for cancer and other diseases.

Since cancer has a genetic basis for operation, gene therapy can be even more effective than the previously used viruses or other therapeutic techniques. Immuno-oncology is the bleeding edge of cancer treatment and has shown the most promising results in solid tumors.

Due to the genetic limitations of viral technology, it does not have the capacity for efficacy found in non-viral therapeutics. The next generation of CAR-T will have higher chances of not being thwarted by mutations and solid tumors.

Visit poseida.com for more information. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

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For the past decade, the Collins Lab at MIT has been focused on using bioengineering principles to better understand antibiotics with the primary goal of discovering novel molecules that work effectively against bacterial pathogens.

On this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • What four primary mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are used by pathogens
  • How AI can be used to identify certain features of molecules out of massive numbers of molecules and amounts of data
  • Where Collins hopes to see his research and applications applied in the coming years

James J. Collins, Ph.D., is a professor of medical engineering and science at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and head of the Collins Lab at MIT. About one year ago, he teamed up with colleague Regina Barzilay, one of the world’s leading experts on applying artificial intelligence (AI) to healthcare.

The goal was to determine whether the power of AI could be used to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance and bacterial pathogens through the discovery of new antibiotics.

They began by putting together a training collection of over 2,500 molecules, including 1,700 FDA-approved drugs. This library was tested against E. coli in the lab to see which molecules might lead to inhibitory activity against the bug. Next, a deep neural network was trained using the data gathered and information about the structure of each molecule in the library.

The trained deep neural network was then applied to a drug repurposing library containing several thousand molecules that have already been developed or are in the process of being developed as drugs. The neural network was challenged to identify molecules that are predicted to be antibiotics but don’t look like any existing antibiotics: one molecule fit the criteria, and was named halocin. Halocin proved itself to be a potent novel antibiotic that worked against 35 out of 36 samples of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug resistant and pandrug-resistant pathogens from the CDC.

In addition to the details of this exciting discovery that could change health and medicine for the better, Collins discusses the most common mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, why gram negative bacteria poses an extra challenge to the search for effective antibiotics, how AI could be used to identify features of molecules that make them amenable to gram negative bacterial uptake, the most useful strengths at the core of the AI technology being used in these capacities, the soon-to-be-launched Antibiotics AI Project, and so much more.

Tune in for the full conversation and learn more at collinslab.mit.edu.

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Professor John Hogenesch studies circadian rhythms and the genome. He talks about

  • The influence of cues on our circadian rhythm and how lighting and even medication timing can affect us,
  • Studies on hospital-specific lighting and how two new hospital wings in Cincinnati are designed accordingly, and
  • Some unusual sleep patterns, such as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and how it can affect people.

Dr. John Hogenesch is Professor of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Human Genetics and Immunobiology at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics. He specializes in genome biology with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms in mammals. He explains to listeners the basics of circadian rhythm as a daily rhythm of behavior and physiology that persists in the absence of external cues. He discusses how healthcare and specifically hospital design and schedules are often at odds with most patients’ rhythms. In fact, he mentions one study in which NICU patients under a cycled light schedule went home two weeks earlier than babies under constant dimmed light conditions. He discusses his hospital’s design of two new areas for NICU and PICU patients under the advisement of his lab that will integrate beds with circadian natural-light systems. He adds ways in which medication delivery and procedure timing could also be better paired with circadian rhythms and efforts to do so.

Dr. Hogenesch also talks about Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). Richard has such a sleep pattern and the two discuss how it manifests itself, as well as other sleep patterns, and how they affect those who experience them. He also addresses how cortisol’s peak has an effect as well as how external cues interfere or work with our sleep patterns. For example, he mentions our eating timing, light exposure, and light temperature and type. He discusses how the pandemic is pushing many of us to later sleep schedules and possible hypothesizes for why. Along the way he offers some suggestions for eliminating excessive blue and green light and other similar measures.

For more, see his lab page at cincinnatichildrens.org/research/divisions/h/genetics/labs/hogenesch and the Society for Research in Biological Rhythms, which publishes helpful blog posts and articles. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

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Wynand De Beer, independent researcher and philosopher, specializing in Hellenic philosophy and Patristic theology, discusses philosophy; socio-political discourse; and metaphysics, the specific branch of philosophy that pertains to the nature of existence, being, and the world.

De Beer is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church and he has written numerous articles for Orthodox publications and various websites, penned under his Orthodox name, Vladimir de Beer. He is the author of From Logos to Bios: Evolutionary Theory in Light of Plato, Aristotle, and Neoplatonism.

De Beer discusses his thoughts on philosophical, socio-political, theological, and metaphysical issues. He explains that much of the mindset regarding issues of this nature has been lost due to rationalism, secular humanism, and materialism. He talks about the important works of others who have come before him, such as Albert Camus, the French Algerian philosopher, author, and journalist.

De Beer talks in detail about some of the areas of his latest book, analyzing big issues from various chapters, from well being and love, to good vs evil, to consciousness, and the three manifestations of consciousness. Digging deeper, De Beer provides an analysis of gender, as it relates to our current and historical interpretations.

He states that the traditional understanding of man and woman, male and female, must function as polar opposites in order to constitute the reality that we live in. He provides an interesting account of the views on feminism, and the militant forms of feminism, and male chauvinism... all of which must be rejected as wrong, as they present an imbalanced view. There is no subordination or domination he states.

De Beer explains that the views and function of gender and sexuality, etc. are often taken to the extreme, perhaps as a form of rebellion, but ultimately too extreme. De Beer continues, discussing the details of other areas of his book, including a salient discussion on modern liberalism. He discusses his views on the immortality of the soul, referencing early Greek mythology from significant voices such as Plato.

The influential author and philosopher provides further details on his thoughts on politics and conflict. He discusses his next book, currently titled, Origins, and expounds upon some of the topics he will touch upon in the upcoming work.

In this podcast:

  • An overview of metaphysics
  • What would Plato do: various thoughts on the great philosopher
  • Man vs Woman: the gender divide
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How can we view evolution through comparative genomics? By understanding how viruses and various organisms have evolved, new views of world issues can be gained. Listen up to learn:

  • How long have specific viruses been known to us
  • Why complex roads are hard to find and valuable to use
  • How specific mutations arise from zoological resources

Denis Jacob Machado, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shares his work with viruses and attempting to model and annotate genomics to understand them better.

Even though humans may have been affected by viruses similar to what we face today, our ability to detect them has grown exponentially. Through research and phylogenetic analysis, we can begin to see clues as to how all of these subjects relate.

Through this better understanding, we may be able to more quickly and effectively respond to future threats. With continued research into how mutations can pose a threat in the future, there is even hope to prevent situations like the one in which we find ourselves today.

For more information, visit about.me/machadodj. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

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FAQ

How many episodes does Finding Genius Podcast have?

Finding Genius Podcast currently has 3938 episodes available.

What topics does Finding Genius Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Biotech, Cancer, Medicine, Podcasts, Health and Microbiome.

What is the most popular episode on Finding Genius Podcast?

The episode title 'The Viruses of Microbes—Simon Roux—Joint Genome Institute' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Finding Genius Podcast?

The average episode length on Finding Genius Podcast is 33 minutes.

How often are episodes of Finding Genius Podcast released?

Episodes of Finding Genius Podcast are typically released every 19 hours.

When was the first episode of Finding Genius Podcast?

The first episode of Finding Genius Podcast was released on Oct 18, 2016.

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