Audiommunity

F1.large.jpg — **Episode 29 - Camilla's Science is Cursed** Aug 20, 2018

I swear, we know how to count; this episode was originally recorded back in January, but Camilla's audio file was weirdly corrupted. And in this attempt, Chadene's computer exploded, but we soldiered on without her.
In this episode, we're discussing Camilla's PhD paper, in which bone-forming cells promote tumors in the lung by activating specialized neutrophils. Yeah, it doesn't make any sense to me either, but it's beautiful work.
Links
The Paper: Osteoblasts remotely supply lung tumors with cancer-promoting SiglecFhigh neutrophils.
Blog post (suitable for non-immunologists)
Kevin's beers: Whirlpool (from Night Shift) and Conehead (from Zero Gravity)
Camilla's beer: A Year with Dr. Nandu

**Episode 32 - Not an accurate representation of grad school** May 28, 2018

Figure 2 B from https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1716937115

In this episode, Chadene, Kate and Kevin discuss Kate's recently published paper about how STING, once thought to be involved only in defense against DNA viruses, actually slows RNA virus replication as well. Also, Chadene throws herself under the bus, and Kevin manages to only talk for about 20% of the time.
Links
The paper: STING-dependent translation inhibition restricts RNA virus replication
Kate's... drink? - TW Pitchers Radler
Kevin's beer: Mayflower Brewing Oatmeal Stout

**Episode 31 - Two Bucket Disease** Apr 07, 2018

Graphical abstract from the paper. Guys, Matt and I don't charge that much to help with figure design...

In this episode, we're talking about *Salmonella*, and the peculiar way in which it tries to keep you eating to keep you alive. Who knew pathogens could be so kind?
Also, Chadene struggles to introduce the podcast, and Kate decides to Kevin **4 years later** that we're misspelling the name of the podcast. Too late now!
**Links**
The Paper: Pathogen-mediated inhibition of anorexia promotes host survival and transmission
Kate's Shandy (Sorry, I refuse to put a link to Rolling Rock)
Resorb - (eg Scandinavian magic)

**Episode 30 - No Drop Shadows on Error Bars** Feb 26, 2018

Neutrophil grabbing Staph. From Wikipedia

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, and yes, we know how to count... Episode 29 is still in limbo as Camilla valiantly attempts to re-record just her portion.
In this episode, Kevin and Camilla discuss *Salmonella* virulence, and how different strains alter the immunogenicity of pathogens. Oh, and Kate's here too... KATE'S BACK!! WOO!! Dr. Franz has a new job, but is just as snarky and ill-prepared as ever. Plus she refuses to drink on the job.
Donate to us on Patreon!
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And don't forget to share us with your friends so we can grow!
EDIT: Sorry if this showed up in your feed late - there was a mistake in formatting :-(
Links
The Paper: Strains of bacterial species induce a greatly varied acute adaptive immune response: the contribution of the accessory genome
Short Path Distillery
Organ Preservation Alliance (where Kate works now)

**Episode 28 - Giant Bag of Autoimmunity** Jan 22, 2018

Blame Kevin for the delay on this one - it's hard to edit podcasts in Hong Kong.
Today (well, three weeks ago), Matt and Kevin talked about epitope spreading in Lupus, and a ton of crazy mouse models that allowed researchers to dissect the way a single auto-reactive B-cell clone can spread the disease party to its neighbors.
Also in this episode - Kevin complains about politicians' views on global warming (I can't link the map because of the government shutdown), and Matt totally doesn't have any conflicts of interest on this paper...
Donate to us on Patreon! We've got some new goal tiers to reflect our desire for you to buy us drinks.
Like us on Facebook! Send us your questions!
Links
- The Paper - Clonal evolution of autoreactive germinal centers (it's behind a paywall, and we definitely won't send you the PDF if you e-mail us at comments@emmunity.org... definitely not)
- Blah, Blah, Blah IPA from 21st Amendment
- What Matt was drinking. Not a mistake.

**Episode 27 - Macaque Prison Gangs** Dec 23, 2017

In this episode, we're talking cure for the common cold... or at least, a vaccine for it. Also, Kevin and Matt read the wrong paper, Chadene corrects Kevin's pronunciation of her name (again!) and we give a big round of applause for Dr. Kate Franz (though she's still too busy for us).
Support us on Patreon!
Like us on Facebook!
Leave us a review on iTunes, Stitcher or where ever you listen to us!
Links
The Paper: A polyvalent inactivated rhinovirus vaccine is broadly immunogenic in rhesus macaques
Guardian article about the effort to develop a rhinovirus vaccine
Chadene's Blog - The SciMinded Idealist (and her post about episode 26)
Kevin's Beer - Left Hand Milk Stout

Screenshot 2017-12-05 19.56.17.png — **Episode 26 - Lies and Magic** Dec 06, 2017

In this episode, we're talking cancer, checkpoint blockade and poop - what's not to love? Also, Camilla is the only one drinking, Matt thinks the study needs more mice, and it took Kevin an extra 2 hours to edit this episode to remove all (he hopes) of his sniffles.
Many thanks to our awesome Patrons for helping to make this episoide happen! Head on over to patreon to kick us a quarter or four per episode. If you've got some extra time on your hands, like us on facebook and leave us a review on itunes, stitcher, or your favorite podcast source.
Links
A paper-heavy links section this time:
The paper: Gut microbiome modulates response to anti–PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma patients
Background paper (more mice, so Matt likes this one better)
Camilla's recently published paper about bone cells, neutrophils, and cancer

**Episode 25 - You're famous if you have a wikipedia page** Nov 19, 2017

OMG, Audiommunity is back! With a... vengeance? That doesn't make any sense. But we're back!
We've got a couple of new hosts - Please give a warm welcome to Chadene Tremaglio and Camilla Engblom! Kate is still holed up in a cave (lab) trying to wrap up her PhD. But she'll soon return... we hope...
Audiommunity is now accepting donations via Patreon. The way it works is that you set up a pledge amount that we'll get each time we release an episode (up to a maximum you set). We'll keep doing this for free, but if you value the podcast, please consider tossing a buck or two our way!
**Links**
The "original" alcoholic ginger beer
Thomas Benjamin (Chadene lied... there's no wikipedia page!)
Filtered Fecal Transplant Paper
Evo Devo (Desposito Cover) - Also check out this guy's patreon page, this stuff is great!

**Episode 24 - The Devil Went Down to... awww, C'mon Matt** Sep 30, 2016

Path of Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Figure 1 from doi:10.1038/ncomms12684

Audiommunity loves Tasmanian devils, so we bite the shit out of them... In this episode, we're talking about a contagious tumor that couldn't happen to a nicer species. No seriously, it really couldn't. Tasmanian devils bite each other on the face to say hello. WTF devils?
And we answer audience e-mail that's been in the inbox for months! I know, I know... we're going to record more frequently going forward - honest!
Links
Paper: Rapid evolutionary response to a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils
Gross pictures of devil tumor facial disease

**Episode 23 - If At First You Don't Succeed** Jun 17, 2016

This week - Evidence that viruses drive the evolution of their hosts - who would have guessed? Matt struggles to remember how evolution works, and Kate and Kevin yell past each other about open peer review.
We initially recorded this episode a month ago, but Kevin messed up his audio settings and his recording was unusable. So sorry as always for the delay, but we hope you enjoy!
Links
Paper (open access): Viruses are a dominant driver of protein adaptation in mammals
SIT'N Listen - A Podcast from Science in the News
Classic McDonald-Kreitman Test (wikipedia)
Kevin's many posts and podcasts about science publication
Kate's Beer (between Bud Light Lime and Mayflower Porter): Pacifico
Kevin's beer (once again): Grey Lady

**Episode 22 - So, a B-cell walks into a germinal center...** May 11, 2016

One of many beautiful microscopy figures from this week's paper.

In this episode, Matt and Kevin give in to aesthetics. This paper's just really pretty.
Also, it overturns some pretty entrenched immunology dogma and does it using fancy new technology. B-cells, germinal centers and brainbow confetti.
Links
The paper: Visualizing antibody affinity maturation in germinal centers
The Brainbow
Matt's Beer: Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner

**Episode 21 - Allergies Suck Less than Cancer** Apr 26, 2016

Kiwi's are delicious, but sacrificing their consumption to treat your cancer is probably a worthy trade-off. Image from Flickr user eldholm. Click for source

This week, a guy gets a kiwi allergy from a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Matt envisions a magic mouse, and Kate peaces out after 20 min. Meanwhile, Kevin continues to be the only one drinking... that schtick may not last much longer.
Links
The paper: Newly acquired kiwi fruit allergy after bone marrow transplantation from a kiwi-allergic donor
Grey Lady Beer from Cisco Brewing

Episode 20 - Bacteriophiles with Jesse Noar Apr 21, 2016

Something a bit different this episiode. Last month, we joined Jesse Noar, host of the excellent Bacteriophiles podcast to record an episode about oncolytic viruses (viruses that blow up cancer cells). We hope you enjoy it, then head on over to microbe world and subscribe to Jesse's podcast.

Links
Paper: Myxoma virus suppresses proliferation of activated T lymphocytes yet permits oncolytic virus transfer to cancer cells

**Episode 19 - J Lo Poop Pills** Mar 17, 2016

By SuSanA Secretariat - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gtzecosan/16424898321/, CC BY 2.0

In this episode, how parasitic worms alter in immunomodulatory effects of the gut microbiome. Also, Kate expresses her distaste for large datasets and animal experiments, and Matt proposes a weight loss company that will only market to identical twins.
Links
The paper: The Intestinal Microbiota Contributes to the Ability of Helminths to Modulate Allergic Inflammation
Original paper on gut microbes and short chain fatty acids
The company that Kevin couldn't remember: Seres Therapeutics

**Episode 18 - More cow... sirens?** Feb 25, 2016

Chemical structure of cGAMP - the "A" is on the bottom left, the "G" on the upper right and the "cyclic" part is that linkage in the middle between the sugars and the phosphate groups.

In this episode, we talk about the innate immune system's Trojan cow strategy - using a cyclic dinucleotide as a signaling molecule means that viruses can package the seeds of their own destruction.
Meanwhile, Matt and Kate throw Kevin under the bus with regards to alcohol consumption, and Matt expounds on the security threat posed by infectious cattle.
Links
The Paper: Transmission of innate immune signaling by packaging of cGAMP in viral particles
Kevin's Lonely Beer Consumption - Jack's Abby trIPL
Vox article on alcohol consumption

**Episode 18 - More cow... sirens?** Feb 25, 2016

Chemical structure of cGAMP - the "A" is on the bottom left, the "G" on the upper right and the "cyclic" part is that linkage in the middle between the sugars and the phosphate groups.

In this episode, we talk about the innate immune system's Trojan cow strategy - using a cyclic dinucleotide as a signaling molecule means that viruses can package the seeds of their own destruction.
Meanwhile, Matt and Kate throw Kevin under the bus with regards to alcohol consumption, and Matt expounds on the security threat posed by infectious cattle.
Links
The Paper: Transmission of innate immune signaling by packaging of cGAMP in viral particles
Kevin's Lonely Beer Consumption - Jack's Abby trIPL
Vox article on alcohol consumption

Episode 17 - When your immune system is all up in it Jan 28, 2016

In this episode we talk about lymphatics in the brain and why that's both obvious and not obvious. Meanwhile, Kate drinks disgusting smoothies and Kevin triggers Matt with a trigger warning.

Gross Smoothie Recipe

2 cups plain kefir
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 cup chopped baby kale
1 banana (Cavendish!)
1/3 cup oatmeal
1/2 scoop protein powder
1 dash cayenne pepper
Blend all ingredients, hold nose and consume.

Links:

The Paper: Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatic vessels
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Lymphatic System

**Episode 16 - Jimmy Carter's Brain on Drugs** Jan 13, 2016

Taking the breaks off of the immune system can get it to attack cancer cells

In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy (wow, that's a mouthful). When cancer stamps down the breaks of the immune system, cutting the break line can allow T-cells to do their job.
Meanwhile, Kate's teeth are falling out of her head, and Matt can't even remember what scotch he's drinking.
This episode was recorded Friday, Jan 8th... we're getting better folks.
**Links:**
The Paper: Combined Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Monotherapy in Untreated Melanoma
The Guardian on Jimmy Carter's cancer and therapy

**Episode 15 - The other DRACO** Dec 21, 2015

Nope... not that Draco. Source

This week, we're discussing DRACOs - not the Harry Potter character, a "new" class of antiviral therapeutics that links up the double-stranded RNA-binding part of one protein to the cell-death (apoPtosis)-activating part of a different protein.
The paper we're discussing was published over 4 years ago, but the idea hasn't seemed to take off - we'll discuss the promise of the idea, but also our concerns and skepticism, the later of which is particularly important since the original author is now embarking on a crowd funding campaign to get more money to study it.
Links
The Paper: Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Therapeutics (Open Access)
The crowd-funding campaign.
Rachel Rynick upcoming performance in Dedham, MA

**Episode 14 - Matt got married, and we're talking about pregnancy** Dec 09, 2015

Non of this swelling is due to inflammation or microbes. Source: wikipedia

We're back! And I know what you're thinking - it's about damn time. We have excuses, but we won't bore you with them.
In this episode, we're talking about the placental microbiome - that is, the bacteria that hang around a developing fetus in the womb. Wait, there are bacteria hanging around a developing fetus? Apparently!
Matt also waxes poetic on the immunology of pregnancy, and Kate tells us why family planning might someday involve infecting yourself with worms.
Enjoy!
PS - We actually have a facebook page now... go like it!
Subscribe in iTunes or grab the RSS feed for your favorite podcast app.
Papers in this episode:
The Placenta Harbors a Unique Microbiome
Helminth Infection, Fecundity and Age of First Pregnancy

Episode 13 - GATACA Oct 01, 2015

Finally! This episode was recorded back in June, but I (Kevin) have been super busy (/super lazy) and only now got it posted. For those of you that are still subscribed, thanks for not abandoning us! Though it took some time, I think this conversation was worth the wait.

In this episode, we discuss the moral implications of doing experiments on babies without brains, and editing the genomes of unborn humans. I reveal my nature as a moral monster, and Kate can't resist bringing up Kim Kardashian's artificial selection of her own offspring.

Schnitzels/Fortnight – A conversation with Jesse Noar at Bacteriofiles May 26, 2015

In this guest episode, Kate and Matt head over to Bacteriofiles and chat with Jesse Noar (in an internet, across the country sense). We discuss oral tolerance, peanuts, and the perils of flying Southwest Airlines while reviewing this paper. Link over to his site and have a listen!

**Polio kills cancer dead** May 06, 2015
In this minisode, Matt talks briefly about cancer immune therapy, skepticism surrounding the 'cure for cancer', and how a few physicians are trying to use Polio as a novel targeting vector. Unfortunately, Matt is not nearly as good at audio editing as Kevin is (who is now on his honeymoon), so enjoy the rough cut!

Gross, is that Polio? Let's find his friends...

Minisode 8 - What's the value? Apr 22, 2015

Kevin continues his rant about scientific publishing. This time asking what it is that journals actually do to justify their cost.

Links:

Harvard Libraries memorandum on the cost of scientific journals.

News item in Nature (itself a closed-access journal publisher) about the costs of science publishing.

**Episode 12 – Bee pollen is one of those hippy things** Apr 16, 2015

Welcome to spring from everyone at Audiommunity! To celebrate the return of the warm(ish) weather, we discuss a paper looking at immune responses to bee venom, and the underlying causes of environmental allergy. In doing so, we focus in on the mast cell – the immune mediators of allergy and anaphylaxis – and why they may actually be helpful in helping you (or your more worm-exposed ancestors) fight off intestinal parasites. Ever wonder where histamines come from? Why your skin turns red when you scratch it? Why you should never take bee pollen as a supplement? What eosinophils and basophils are? Well we can't answer that last one, but for the rest, give a listen!

This is in no way related to the episode, but it's the figure Kate made for a recent review. It's so good, you almost can't tell it was done in PowerPoint

This is in no way related to the episode, but it's the figure Kate made for a recent review . It's so good, you almost can't tell it was done in PowerPoint — **Episode 12 – Bee pollen is one of those hippy things** Apr 16, 2015

Welcome to spring from everyone at Audiommunity! To celebrate the return of the warm(ish) weather, we discuss a paper looking at immune responses to bee venom, and the underlying causes of environmental allergy. In doing so, we focus in on the mast cell – the immune mediators of allergy and anaphylaxis – and why they may actually be helpful in helping you (or your more worm-exposed ancestors) fight off intestinal parasites. Ever wonder where histamines come from? Why your skin turns red when you scratch it? Why you should never take bee pollen as a supplement? What eosinophils and basophils are? Well we can't answer that last one, but for the rest, give a listen!

This is in no way related to the episode, but it's the figure Kate made for a recent review. It's so good, you almost can't tell it was done in PowerPoint

Minisode 7 - Kate's Got Ebola (vaccine) Fever Apr 01, 2015

In this episode, Kate discusses an exciting Ebola vaccine candidate. Everything thats old is new again.

Read the paper here.

Minisode 6 - Matt on the Immunology of Mars One Mar 18, 2015

In this minisode, Matt discusses the impact of immunology... IN SPAAAAACCCE...

From infectious disease, to gut microbiota, we dive into the immunology of the Mars One project which hopes to send humans to Mars within the next decade. We refer a bunch to a Weber training powerpoint available on the web and provided here. Additionally, we talk a little bit about a recent MIT study which might demand some reflection on our colonizing enthusiasm.

Enjoy!

**Episode 11 - No, Not Seminol** Mar 11, 2015

Image from wikipedia

This episode brought to you by Kevin's malfunctioning audio equipment and Matt's computer meltdown... seriously, this episode was cursed!
But in the end, we had a great discussion about sCD38, a molecule that's secreted in mouse and human sperm, and may play a role in suppressing a mother's immune response to a new fetus.
Links:

Kevin, podcasting in the dark

A review on the immune system and pregnancy
The paper: Seminal CD38 is a pivotal regulator for fetomaternal tolerance
What's a sith lord?

**Episode 11 - No, Not Seminol** Mar 11, 2015

Image from wikipedia

This episode brought to you by Kevin's malfunctioning audio equipment and Matt's computer meltdown... seriously, this episode was cursed!
But in the end, we had a great discussion about sCD38, a molecule that's secreted in mouse and human sperm, and may play a role in suppressing a mother's immune response to a new fetus.
Links:

Kevin, podcasting in the dark

A review on the immune system and pregnancy
The paper: Seminal CD38 is a pivotal regulator for fetomaternal tolerance
What's a sith lord?

Miniode 5 - Kevin Hates Science Publishing Mar 04, 2015

This is the beginning of a discussion about science publishing (and its problems). My friends are tired of listening to me, so I thought I'd broadcast my thoughts to the internet!

I've written about this before, check out here and here.

Minisode 4 - Kate's Pop-Culture Dreams Feb 18, 2015

Kate's first minisode! An explanation about why we should be a bit more measured with respect to the "Vaccine Cautious" - they're not murderers, or idiots, just misinformed.

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Links:
The Panic Virus by Seth Mnookin
The Strain (do not click that link if, like Kevin, you are weirdly grossed out by eye-related things)

Minisode 3 - Putting the CAR-T Before the Horse Feb 11, 2015

Kevin explains why he's not so bullish on chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T cells) for treating cancer.

CAR-T on wikipedia

CAR-T to treat CD19+ B-cell cancers (Science Translational Medicine)

Matt's first minisode! Feb 03, 2015

Click here to download. Welcome to Matt's first attempt at a minisode. A little rough, I know, but bear with me as I get my ten minute legs under me.

In this minisode I continue the discussion started in epidsode 10 surrounding the goals and rational behind vaccine design in the case of Staphylococcus Aureus. I touch on a paper which proceeded the paper discussed in episode 10, and talk about the data in that paper may cause questions for the potential efficacy of S. aureus humoral vaccination.

Enjoy!

hangout_snapshot_1 — **Episode 10 - Taco shock syndrome** Jan 28, 2015
Click here to download

Turns out *Staphylococcus aureus* can evade the immune system by activating it.

Also, Matt's bad hair day and a link between tacos and tampons.

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Links:

The paper: *Staphylococcus aureus* infection induces protein A–mediated immune evasion in humans

The paper Matt kept referencing: Role of Protein A in the Evasion of Host Adaptive Immune Responses by Staphylococcus aureus

TCR-MHC_T-cell - MHC — **Episode 9 - I'd just like to second everything Abbie said** Sep 05, 2014
Click here to download. In this episode, we're joined by Abbie Smith, a postdoctoral fellow studying HIV at Emory University, and author of the popular (and always wonderful) ERV, a blog at scienceblogs.com.

We're talking about HIV research, and a controversial group trying to crowd fund an HIV vaccine. Along the way we discuss Cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs), vaccine research generally, and the way that science is funded in the US.

----------------------- Links

Abbie's blog posts about the immunity project and their recent paper.

The Immunity Project (do not give them money).

Previous Audiommunity Episodes talking about HIV and cytotoxic T-cells.

Episode 8 - Let's just make it more deadly Aug 18, 2014

Click here to download. Kate and Kevin talk influenza and gain of function research. Should we be making flu more deadly? How much can you learn from trying to make bird flu into Spanish flu? And would Edward have immunity to 1918 flu even though he died from it? Can Vampires even get the flu?

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Links

The Paper: Circulating Avian Influenza Viruses Closely Related to the 1918 Virus Have Pandemic Potential

Government Guidelines to dual use research

Critics think this research is "crazy."

Scientific Censorship: Science in the News Lectures

A critique of the process by scientists

TWiV Episode 294

Scientists for Science

Kate's commentary on negative strand viruses and immune sensing

Episode 7 - Hot Dog Buns, Hard Lines and Floppy Bits Jul 08, 2014

Click here to download After a hard day's work, sometimes you want to just kick your feet back and relax. Unfortunately, sometimes your CD8 T-cells want the same thing, even though they don't have feet. During chronic viral infections, T-cells get exhausted, and this fact has enormous implications for human health. We discuss what killer T-cells are, how and why they get exhausted, and new research that points towards potential therapy for everything from HIV to cancer.

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Links:

The paper: Restoring function in exhausted CD8 T cells during chronic viral infection

On the left, a normal banana plant infected with Xanthomonas, on the right, an infected plant that expresses Xa21 and is resistant. — **Episode 6 - Just a Huge Distraction** Jun 04, 2014
Click to download.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Pamela Ronald, professor of plant pathology at the University of California, Davis. Almost 20 years ago, Ronald discovered Xa21, a plant pattern recognition receptor that guards against bacterial infection. This receptor shares many features with Toll-like receptors, and the role of Xa21 was shown a year before TLRs were implicated in immunity.

We also talk about recent work from Ronald's lab, in which bananas, a staple crop for millions of people in Africa, are genetically engineered to express Xa21 in order to protect them from a devastating bacterial infection.

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**Links:**

The paper: Transgenic expression of the rice Xa21 pattern-recognition receptor in banana (Musa sp.) confers resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum.

Pamela Ronald's home on the internet

Food Matters Blog

One of Kevin's Screeds about GMO's (there are many more - just ask!)

From Here — **Episode 5 - When the Carnies Roll In** May 14, 2014
Click to Download

In Episode 5, we're talking about neutrophils, and the special way they die.

Neutrophils are specialized for killing things. Often described as the kamikaze pilots of the immune system, they typically swarm into sights of inflammation to kill everything that looks out of place. Neutrophils don't typically live very long, and then they die, they can do so by committing suicide in a way that causes further destruction.

Lots of cells commit suicide (we talk about that too), but neutrophils have a special suicide called "NETosis," where they release their genomic DNA to envelop and kill bacteria.

Matt and I have been a bit delinquent with the graphics, but we're working on more, as well as some animations (both of us are trying to learn to make animations in HTML5 at the moment).

Hope you enjoy the show, and don't forget to rate us on itunes or like us on facebook.

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The paper: Brinkmann et. al. "Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Kill Bacteria" *Nature.* (2004)

Videos of neutrophil swarming (the second one is my favorite)

Ticking clock sound effect by soundcloud user kazukied2

Episode 4 - Willy Nilly Brownian Motion Apr 25, 2014

Click for mp3 After a long absence, we're back! With an episode about the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis and how immune cells navigate the around the body.

We'll try to get some relevant graphics up soon, but for now, check out this video, which shows leukocytes (in white) rolling along the blood vessel walls. You'll have to take my word for it that there are actually thousands of those white cells flying through the field of view - you just can't see most of them because they're moving too fast. You can also check out the wikipedia page on "extravasation," which is a term we didn't mention specifically, but refers to cells leaving the blood stream and getting into tissues.

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Links:

The paper: T-cells are Licensed in the Lung to Enter the Central Nervous System

Best wikipedia page to start with.

Some cool videos from Uli von Andrian's lab on T-cell movement.

Fungal hyphae growing on Toll mutant D. melanogaster — **Episode 3 - Immunologists' Dirty Little Secret** Mar 06, 2014
Click here to download episode.

Today, we're talking the *other* immunity (that both Kate and Kevin happen to study). Neglected for nearly one hundred years, the innate immune system is required for getting inflammation going, and without it, adaptive immunity wouldn't function.

We discuss a landmark paper by the late Charles Janeway that set the stage for the revolution in understanding, and a newer study that aims to use our modern understanding of the innate immune system to make better vaccines. Check back later for some graphics and explainers.

CORRECTION: "Variola" causes smallpox, not chickenpox. The chickenpox virus is "Varicella." Thanks to listener Robin Datta for the correction.

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Links:

Approaching the Asymptote: Evolution and Revolution in Immunology

Programing the Magnitude and Persistence of Antibody Responses with Innate Immunity

Blog post Kevin wrote about the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine - it's a bit controversial (make sure to read the comments too!)

More controversy about the history on the fly side from Bruno Lemaitre (who did the work in Jules Hoffman's lab on fly Toll and immunity)

Antibody Binding to HIV — **Episode 002 - Antibodies and Infantry** Feb 24, 2014
Download episode. In this episode, we're talking antibodies - what they are and what they have to do with Vaccines. Also, we discuss efforts to use engineered antibodies to treat HIV.

First described by Paul Erlich in the early 20th century, antibodies can bind and neutralize viruses and toxins, or target bacteria for destruction. Antibodies are proteinst that grab their targets (called their "ligand"), through variable regions called "complimentarity determining regions" (CDR).

These CDRs are variable because B-cells re-arrange their genomic DNA, mixing and matching together so-called "V," "D," and "J" (for variable, diversity and joining) gene segments, yielding tens of thousands of different possible combinations.

Even more variability is possible because the junctions between these regions are not perfect, yielding mutations that may change the way that an antibody binds.

In episode 2, we talk about a paper that seems to indicate that a particular antibody V region has evolved to bind the stalk of the influenza hemaglutanin spike protein, and a different study that tries to use engineered broadly neutralizing antibodies to treat HIV infections.

--------------------------- **Links:**

Influenza antibody paper (presented by Kate) HIV antibody therapy paper (presented by Matt)

Episode 001 – Everyone else’s kidneys Jan 30, 2014

Download episode. In this episode, we're talking transplantation: Why is it so damned hard to transfer tumors between mice? Why do we have to go to extraordinary lengths to transplant kidneys between humans?

To serve as our guide, we go through two papers – A historical paper on the emergence of MHC in the immunological field, and a recent paper describing some cool tricks that immunologists are using to more effectively transplant organs between patients – without immune suppression. Along the way, we discuss tumor transplantation in inbred mice, Tasmanian devil face cancer, transplant rejection, the legacy of the Cavendish family (think banana), and just a touch of T cell biology. Happy listening!

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Links:

George D Snell and George F Higgens, "Alleles at the histocompatability-2 locus in the mouse as determined by tumor transplantation."Genetics (1951)

Tatsuo Kawai et.al. "HLA-Mismatched renal transplantation without maintenance immunosuppression." New England Journal of Medicine (2008)

Episode 000 – Welcome to audiommunity! Jan 30, 2014

Hi everyone, welcome to audiommunity! This is just a short episode designed to give you a little information about who we are, why we are here, and where we see all of this going. Feel free to contact us with any comments you may have at Team@emmunity.org, or find us on facebook and google+. Happy listening!

Beta Episode Jan 11, 2014

Matt and I tested out our recording equipment and I tried my hand at audio editing tools. Kate wasn't around and won't get an opportunity to test before we record our first episode, so hopefully she's halfway competent with technology... I guess we'll find out - recording begins soon!

Audiommunity Dec 26, 2013

This is where we'll post about podcast episodes.