Finding Genius Podcast

Professor Gary Steele works with quantum circuits and the compatibility of quantum mechanics with gravity through vibration and oscillation. In this podcast he explores How quantum circuits function and what advantages they pose, How his lab is tackling quantum nanotechnology and features of nanotechnology materials by trying to harness gravity in quantum mechanics, and What are challenges to these endeavors and implications of achieving their goals. Gary Steele is a professor in the Department of Quantum Nanoscience with the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at the Delft University of Technology. This podcast discussion explores both the importance of quantum mechanics in nanotechnology and ground-breaking use of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Professor Steele first discusses his lab's work with quantum circuits. He explains how these circuits are on chips, and while classic circuits can only process current flow in one direction at a time, quantum circuits can enable the current to flow in both directions at the same time: that's the advantage of quantum mechanics. These circuits can be used to make quantum computers, which have a supercharged ability for complex computations because of the ability to maintain 0 and 1 at the same time. He's also working on groundbreaking steps in quantum mechanics, trying to make a mechanical element maintain a super position, or basically, work in two places at the same time. He explains this complex project as trying to cause one oscillating object to take on the appearance of two objects that would have a force of gravity on each other. In other words, this object would be exerting a force and not exerting a force at the same time. He explains that this takes on the question regarding the compatibility of quantum mechanics and gravity. He thinks they are and explains what challenges and parameters need to be overcome that will get them closer to what they want to achieve. For more, see his lab's website: steelelab.tudelft.nl/. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Aquatic ecologist Timothy Hoellein studies the impact of trash on aquatic ecology and biodiversity. He tells listeners How he's attempting to measure the movements of different materials in the flow of rivers, What are the variety of ways materials can invade an aquatic ecosystem, and How these studies have and may continue to influence policy by measuring environmental impacts. Timothy Hoellein is an associate professor of biology at Loyola University in Chicago. In this podcast, he focuses on the impact and ecology of solid waste in our streams and rivers and how these findings may impact waste management policy. He works on measuring the sources, movement, and biological interactions of trash when it enters our waterways. He explains that not only must aquatic ecologists focus on what's in the water, they also must measure the way trash moves. For example, some materials like metal, construction debris, and fabrics are pretty stable. But lighter materials and buoyant trash can travel pretty far—even as far as the ocean. Finally, many materials can be retained in the rivers and integrated into its ecology. He also explains how litter breaks down in different ways. He adds that aquatic ecologists are less concerned about glass because it's more of an inert material and animals don't try and eat it. Plastic, on the other hand, breaks down over time and can be ingested, which is more concerning. It can harm animals in different ways, including making them feel full when they aren't. Professor Hoellein touches on numerous other topics, from concerns over sewage overflow to methods and tools for measuring and collecting samples. For more, see his page on Loyola's website: luc.edu/biology/hoellein. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Spanish nephrologist Mari Jose Soler studies diabetic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy of the kidney, which is the primary cause of renal disease. She explains How the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 work in the kidney, What sort of balance between ACE, ACE2, and vitamin D results in disease prevention, and What are additional therapies she's working on to prevent disease of kidney progression, which leads to dialysis treatment. Maria Jose Soler is in the nephrology department at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitario at the Barcelona campus and is also in the Nephrology Research Group. She gives listeners some background on the discovery of the ACE2 enzyme in 2000 and explains how it functions in cells, especially in kidney cells. A form of ACE2 is in the news lately because it is the receptor of the coronavirus. In other words, it provides the mechanism that allows the virus to attach to and enter the cell. ACE2 catalyzes peptides in cells throughout the body and is especially prevalent in kidney cells. She then explains the various stages of diabetic kidney disease, from the glomerular filtration being affected to lesions, hyper filtration, risk of stroke, and eventually dialysis treatment. She explains her study on diabetic mice that established ACE2's role in preventing lesions in the early stage of kidney disease. But she also explains nuances between the role of ACE and ACE2, and how too much ACE can be a problem. Finally, because the body's mechanisms for ACE2 amplification do not last long, she establishes the need for further therapies to prevent progression of these diseases of the kidney. For more, search her name in Google Scholar for publications. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Two guests join the show today: Dr. Clive Svendsen, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Arun Sharma. In this episode, you will discover: How single-cell RNA sequencing allows for the identification of the effect of SARS-coV-2 on individual heart cells of different types (e.g. endothelial, fibroblastic, support, cardiomyocytes) Why people with some form of heart failure may be more susceptible than others to the SARS-CoV-2 virus What clinical data is still needed in order to confirm that human cardiomyocytes in vivo are being infected by the SARS-coV-2 virus About how much of the virus would be needed in order to cause cellular infection of cardiomyocytes Dr. Clive Svendsen chairs the task force for COVID-19 at Cedars-Sinai. In the early patients with the viral infection responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of heart problems were detected, which gave rise to the question of whether these symptoms were secondary to the infection, or indicated that the heart cells themselves were infected by the virus. At the time, Dr. Svendsen and Dr. Sharma were studying the use of stem cells to model and treat disease. In the unique position of being able to mass produce human heart cells by the billions in the lab, they set out to determine whether heart cells are susceptible to the SARS-coV-2 virus. The verdict? They found that heart cells are indeed susceptible to infection by SARS-coV-2. They discuss what they're learning from additional analyses of genetic profile and function, such as the finding that in patients with heart failure, the expression of the ACE2 receptor (the same receptor associated with the COVID-19 virus) is upregulated. This could explain why some people with some form of heart failure may be more susceptible to the virus that's responsible for COVID-19. In addition, it explains tissue-specific differences to susceptibility to the virus. Dr. Svendsen and Dr. Sharma dive into the details of all of this and more, including the activation of the innate immune response by cardiomyocytes that are infected, the different responses to this infectious virus, the type of research they're doing to determine how well the virus is proliferating on cardiomyocytes, where their research is headed, and much more. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and head of the Yael David Lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Yael David, joins the podcast for a second time. In this episode, you will learn: In what way the region of DNA once considered "junk" plays an integral role in epigenetic regulation Where epigenetic regulation occurs, and what happens in this regard during the development of cancer What "garbage men" proteins are and how they are used by cancer cells to avoid high levels of damage that could result in cancer cell death Whether cancer cells are more or less prone to epigenetic changes The topic of discussion is centered around the relationship between epigenetics and cancer. In simple terms, epigenetic regulation of gene expression explains why--despite every cell in the body containing the same genetic information--some cells carry out unique functions. This gene regulation and expression sheds light on how phenotypic characteristics vary from individual to individual, whether in humans or other species. The research in David's lab is focused on the modification of histones, which are the proteins responsible for DNA packing in the nucleus. She explains that long-term changes in response to various extracellular signals can lead to changes in DNA histone structure, which can affect cell division, daughter cells, and whole sets of cells in a certain environment. She discusses how colorectal cancer is epigenetically-driven, the quest to determine what causes the epigenetic change responsible for it, and how that epigenetic change drives the development of this type of cancer. In addition to these topics, David discusses various types and layers of epigenetic regulation, the importance of regions of DNA that were once (not too long ago) considered "junk DNA," epigenetic regulation with respect to an organism's health, what strategies are employed by cancer cells for their own survival, what type of research would allow for an epigenetic timeline of a tumor, what types of suppression and activation mechanisms occur in cancer, how the discovery of oncohistones has led to a better understanding of the induction of cancer and flexible capacity of histones to undergo modification, how the environment communicates with histones, RNA modification, and more. Visit https://www.mskcc.org/research/ski/labs/yael-david to learn more. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Bio: Professor Leachman is interested in studying the subjects of international trade, exchange rates, fiscal policy, and international macroeconomics. In conducting her research, she often incorporates intertemporal models, multicointegration and sustainability. Her current research project explores the political economy of intertemporal budgeting. She recently collaborated with G Rosas, A Bester, and P. Lange to complete a study on, "The Political Economy of Budget Deficits," and worked with the same team on the project entitled, "Multicointegration and Sustainability of Fiscal Practices." She has also teamed up with Bill Francis to publish the works, "Twin Deficits: Apparition or Reality?" and "Multicointegration Analysis and the Sustainability of Foreign Debt." One of her earlier works, executed with Michael Thorpe, was a study on, "External Balance in the Small Open Economy of Australia." She has also published on such subjects as capital market integration, optimum corporate capital structure, and Ricardian equivalence. More recently, Dr. Leachman has turned her attention to creative writing. Specifically, she has written a memoir about growing up in the South, football, and her father's death from CTE. The book titled, "The King of Halloween and Miss Firecracker Queen," will be released in May of 2018. As a result of these efforts, Dr. Leachman is currently working on framing the legal and ethical issues surrounding football and the issue of informed consent. Lori Leachman is also the author of memoir about growing up in the South, in a football family, and her father's death from CTE. Her, father, Lamar Leachman, coached in the NFL for 14 years and won a Super Bowl coaching for the NY Giants. However, at the end of his life he suffered a long decline form CTE. This book tells that story as well as her family's love of the sport, and quirkiness of the South. The book titled "The King of Halloween and Miss Firecracker Queen" is available on Amazon and at Barnesandnobel.com. You can check out the book at her web site : www.lorileachman.net Professor Lori Leachman brings her career's focus on international economics and her understanding of international trade importance and macro-fiscal budgeting to explain how the global community is navigating these times. She explains What are some important points in her career that have led to her current studies, Why a broader tax base and good tax collection processes are key to a healthy debt-to-GDP ratio, and How they U.S. is fairing in such terms and why different approaches might improve its situation. Lori Leachman is an author and a professor of economics at Duke University. She began her career looking at the openness of economies and the degree of integration in financial markets. She then moved to currency and exchange markets and advantages of international trade. She studied how exchange rates evolved together and whether currency exchange actually worked—such as when the central back is buying or selling currency. She also studied the anticipatory nature of financial markets and international trade importance and imbalance of payments. Most recently, she's focused on macro-fiscal processes and budgeting, namely which countries ran persistent large deficits and accumulated large volumes of debt and which countries did not. She talks about her findings and world finances more generally such as the importance of creating hierarchy in the budget process. She specifically talks about the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio, what's problematic, and how the U.S. uses the privilege of the dollar. She discusses all this in terms of how COVID is affecting systems and what we might expect in the future. For more, see her website at Duke, econ.duke.edu/people/lori-leachman, and email her with leachman@econ.duke.edu. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

The phylum of cnidarians includes corals, anemone and jellyfish and these species' symbiotic relationship with algae is a classic example of relationships in nature ecology and evolution. Professor Munoz studies their coevolution in her broader field of biology and the evolution of marine life. She discusses How the photosynthetic nature of the algal microorganisms benefits different cnidarian species, How these algae come to live inside the cells through phagocytosis, and Why choral bleaching is a symptom reflecting warmer water temperatures. Monica Medina Munoz is a professor of biology at Penn State and a Principal Investigator. She studies this symbiosis between cnidarians and algal and bacterial symbionts. She explains how the cnidarian host and dinoflagellate algae microorganisms, which are unicellular and photosynthetic, exemplify the coevolution of marine life. The algae are endosymbiotic, living inside the host tissue. They transfer their photosynthetic by products to their host and in turn have a place to live and photosynthesize. This interaction gives a species like coral the energy to build the reef where they life and the algae also gives the coral their colors She explains more of this marine ecosystem, how the host can't life without the symbiont for very long, which explains the phenomenon knowns as coral bleaching. When the water temperature gets too hot, the symbiosis breaks down. This is a facultative symbiosis from the algal perspective but an obligate symbiosis from the host perspective. She also explains how the dinoflagellate make their way into their host and the physiology of the two together. She explains some cutting edge studies into whether there are microbial symbionts as important as the algae. The best way to find out more is to check out her lab website, medinalab.org/new/, and follow her on twitter with the handle @momedinamunoz. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Science journalist and author of a revolutionary book on psychobiotics shares compelling insight on the latest research in microbiome and gut-brain connection research. Tune in to discover: In what specific ways the behavior of mice has been shown to change in response to the presence or absence of gut bacteria What role the vagus nerve may play in the gut-brain connection What types of foods lead to physical and functional changes in the brain identifiable via MRI, and how these changes may be associated with greater resilience during stressful situations How your gut microbiota could be controlling your cravings Psychobiotics are a class of microbes that help improve mood. In 2003, research on germ-free mice resulted in a shocking finding: there is a causal connection between bacteria and behavior. Anderson explains all the details of this research and how it has served as a launching pad for additional research in the field. He discusses the production and function of serotonin in the body and as an antidepressant, and the questions that still remain as to why and how serotonin seems to improve mood in the brain. One of the leading theories of the impact of psychobiotics in the brain is that they have the effect of lowering systemic inflammation, which is caused by bacterial dysbiosis in the gut, which in turn can lead to nearly every systemic disease that exists, including Alzheimer's, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Anderson discusses the connection between depression and anxiety and obesity, the research that's been done on the composition and diversity of gut microbiota in thin versus overweight individuals, how some people may be able to keep the brain healthy naturally with the use of probiotics or prebiotics, the advent of metabolomics and why it is so important to the study of the gut-brain microbiome axis, and shares a personal story about gut health and how he was able to correct it overnight. Visit http://psychobiotic-revolution.com/ to learn more, and find his book, The Psychobiotic Revolution: Mood, Food, and the New Science of the Gut-Brain Connection on Amazon. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Dr. Sakari Vanharanta is a principal investigator at MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, where he studies cancer metastasis. In this episode, you will learn: What the seed and soil hypothesis is in the study of cancer, and why it could shed light on how cancers are able to grow and develop in various parts of the body What types of heritable epigenetic mechanisms may be at play in the development of cancer What type of evidence there is for the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation on cancer metastasis How does cancer spread to other parts of the body? What's required in order for the cells of a primary tumor to travel to and grow in another location? These are just a couple of the questions answered by Dr. Vanharanta in today's podcast. His research is focused on understanding how genes and mutations in cancer function, and how mutations in cancer interact with other cellular pathways to drive metastasis. This is important, because metastasis is the cause of the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. If more information can be gathered, prevention of cancer or a cancer treatment might be possible. Metastases are still poorly understood, but there is a significant drive to better understand it, since doing so has implications for personalized and targeted cancer therapeutics. Dr. Vanharanta believes that further research on the role of genomics in cancer could lead to findings which have a huge impact in the field of cancer research, and he shares his insight on the matter. Press play to hear the full conversation. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Abbott Divisional Vice President of Vascular Clinical Development, Dr. Richard Rapoza, tells listeners about a newer technology for vascular health: optical coherence tomography (OCT). He discusses the advantages of this approach, explaining How optical coherence tomography provides more information than traditional heart angiography, Why it can also work in concert with a angiography stent to preclude guess work and other angiography risks, and How current studies comparing optical coherence tomography with traditional heart angiography are progressing. Abbott is a medical technology company dedicated to producing life-saving and quality-of-life technologies and Dr. Rapoza is working to raise awareness of what optical coherence tomography can offer the health field. He describes it as an instrument that shoots infrared lasers into a patient's arterial system and takes spiral pictures of the arterial wall. It provides great detail of the arterial composition and takes measurements. Finally, it offers a good picture of how to treat the patient. He provides a few examples, explaining how a doctor can use it to see what the cost of a heart attack is—and can also clear and see behind the clot as well as find the spot that ruptured and caused the clot and repair it. The more common way of treating vessels through a heart angiography is where technicians use an x-ray with injectable dye: this only provides a two-dimensional view. So physicians take a guess at the diameter and length before they introduce an angiography stent, for example. Dr. Rapoza explains this along with other angiography risks and describes how OTC can work alongside a traditional stent to produce better results. He also describes additional advancements in this technology such as ways to address problems of blood flow in the feet from diabetic damage as well as other promising uses. For more, see Abbott's website as well as a press release describing their findings. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK