BioTA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Royal Philanthropic Vaccine Expedition – #040 Dec 05, 2024

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Once a global scourge, smallpox devastated millions before Edward Jenner’s vaccine offered hope. But how do you deliver a life-saving cure to the farthest reaches of the world? In 1803, Spain launched the Balmis Expedition, a bold and ethically fraught mission to transport the vaccine across oceans. In this episode, we explore the science of viruses, vaccines, and immunity, while uncovering the surprising and unsettling story of La Real Expedición Filantrópica de la Vacuna.

CRISPR: Applications & Guardrails – An Interview with Dr. R. Barrangou part 2 – #039 Aug 12, 2024

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CRIPSR-Cas9 technology allows scientists to edit genes with precision. But is this a beneficial tool or something more nefarious? In this episode, we conclude our conversation with Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, one of the scientists who discovered CRISPR, and dive into the applications, ethical conundrums, and challenges of this new genetic tool. He also issues a challenge to all scientists about our responsibilities to share our work with the rest of the world.

CRISPR: Size & Scale – An Interview with Dr. R. Barrangou part 1 – #038 Jul 29, 2024

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CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is one of the newest and most promising tools in science. But what is it? How does it work? And what are scientists doing with this technology that has been described as a molecular genetic scalpel? In this first of two episodes, we talk with Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, the first scientist to discover and publish results demonstrating what the CRISPR-Cas9 system can do, thereby opening the door for other scientists and discoveries.

Citizen Science – #037 May 24, 2024

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While the terms citizen science and community science emerged and began gaining broad attention in the 1990s, the collaboration between scientists and the public has a rich history spanning over a century. Today, numerous citizen science projects covering a wide range of topics invite public participation. Innovative educators are now involving students to enhance STEM education and foster new forms of community engagement. Join us in this episode as we speak with experts to learn about citizen science and its transformative potential in communities, education, and beyond!

Boulder Apple Tree Project – #036 May 14, 2024

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Apples are a household favorite, but have you ever wondered why some varieties are common, but others are rare, coveted heirlooms? Or thought about the epic journey that brought apples from their birthplace in Central Asia to orchards spanning the globe or maybe your own yard? And why don’t we grow apple trees from seeds? We were curious too, which led us to invite Dr. Lisa Corwin and Amy Dunbar-Wallace onto BioTA to describe the thrilling story and science behind the Boulder Apple Tree Project, a citizen science initiative dedicated to discovering and safeguarding rare apple cultivars and preserving a living history of this beloved fruit.

Cooper Bison Skull – #35 Feb 02, 2024

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What can an ancient bison skull tell us about human history? In this episode we talk with Dr. Leland Bement, an archaeologist from the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey who helped in discovering the oldest intentionally painted artefact ever found in the US. Using techniques that included standard archaeological practices as well as interdisciplinary collaborations, Bement’s team was not only able to figure out the story of the Cooper Bison Skull, but they also got a window into the past to learn more about the Folsom people who painted it.

Biofilms – #34 Dec 12, 2023

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What does brushing your teeth have to do with the search for extraterrestrial life? To answer that question, you have to shrink down and explore the microscopic world of bacterial biofilms. In this episode three microbiologists will guide us through the world of these fascinating microbial communities by looking at what they are, how they impact our health, and how they may be similar to the life we are looking for in outer space.

Scientific Identity, an Interview with Dr. Bryan Dewsbury – 33 Dec 08, 2023

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What does it mean to be a scientist? How do you think about yourself as a scientist? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Dewsbury to explore what scientific identity is and what he has learned about its development through his Science Education and Society research program at Florida International University. Dive into how they are working to improve STEM education for everyone and support a diverse, inclusive space for the next generation of scientists.

Amphibian Apocalypse? – 032 Apr 26, 2023

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What are amphibians, why are they important, and how could a fungus be threatening their existence? Is there anything we can do to help them? We asked Dr. Cameron Siler and Jessa Watters from the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History to answer these questions and more to help us learn if there is an amphibian extinction apocalypse , its causes, and potential solutions.

To Bee Or Not To Bee. Are Bees Really In Danger? – 031 Apr 11, 2023

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Bees are important pollinators, and people often talk about saving them. But what does that mean? Which bees do we need to save? And how can we do that ? We explore these questions and more with Dr. James Hung a pollination biologist and bee expert from the Oklahoma Biological Survey.

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