Finding Genius Podcast

Professor Zhiyong Fan is a Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering and head of the Functional and Advanced Nanostructures (FAN) Laboratory at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and he joins the show to discuss the development of a new bionic eye that would enable robots and people with blindness to see. In this episode, you'll learn: What is anatomically different about cephalopod eyes that makes them superior even to human eyes Why it has been so challenging to design spherical or hemispherical light sensors How the bionic eye being developed could be self-powered, with no need for an external energy supply Why "superhuman" vision might not actually be something people want Fan's initial inspiration for his current work stemmed from something that's a source of inspiration for many: sci-fi films. In particular, he was amazed by the idea of creating a sophisticated artificial eye structure that could function like the human eye. He explains that all of the current technology utilizing light sensing materials are restricted by flat rather than spherical substrates…that is, until about 2016 when Fan had the idea to use a porous hemispherical template to host light sensing material to form an artificial retina. This template is filled with semi-conductive nanowires which form a 3D array in a way that allows them to stand vertically inside the template and point toward the center of the sphere. The result? A structure very similar to that of the human retina. Fan goes on to explain the next step in the creation of this aptly named "bionic eye," the details of the processes which have led to the current product, how a bionic eye of this sort would work, the potential ways in which this technology could be further developed, and the feasibility of developing a bionic eye that can be fully implanted into a human eye socket. Interested in learning more? Tune in and check out https://eezfan.home.ece.ust.hk/. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

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

Christian Frezza focuses on tissue-specific carcinogenesis and specifically metabolic pathways in an attempt to achieve the prevention of cancer progression. In this podcast he addresses How tumor and metastases cells vary and why that's important, How a finding regarding intermediates in metabolism that have signaling roles connecting metabolic pathways to oncogenesis produced a paradigm shift in cancer studies, and Why scientists are attempting to use more sophisticated approaches to starving cancer such as targeting two different metabolic pathways simultaneously. Christian Frezza works at the Medical Research Council (MRC) as a program leader in the MRC Cancer Unit at the University of Cambridge, a unit that investigates carcinogens, other cancer causes, differentiations between functionality of cancer types, and the prevention of cancer. His lab focuses specifically on metabolic determinants of cancerous transformation, which means understanding how cancer cells find their nutrients to grow and proliferate. He explains that this area of research is very exciting because they are revealing new aspects of cancer biology that can address therapies for different cancer types as well as a way to understand carcinogens. He explains how tumors and metastases have very different the nutrient needs. For example, a metastasis has a metabolism need closer to the nutrient needs of tissue around it. Furthermore, while they know that all cancer causes increased glucose consumption, there are many differences between how cancer types metabolize. He describes two important questions of his research: first, whether they can restrict some specific nutrients to affect growth; and second, if they can find that by using specific nutrients, they can identify certain markers of cancer transformation through identifying metabolites. Finally, overall this research will help understand the pathophysiology of cancer and mechanistic aspects of it. He also explains complications of the research and their findings as well as important steps and discoveries in the field. To learn more, see his lab's website at mrc-cu.cam.ac.uk/research/Christian-frezza-folder and follow him on twitter as @FrezzaLab. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Researcher P'ng Loke investigates how our microbiome and immune system interacts with parasitic worm infections. He relays key points in his research, including The decision one man made 15 years ago to voluntarily infect himself with worms and the results that fascinated Loke, The role the "hygiene hypothesis " plays in the direction of his research, and The findings thus far of helminth impacts on our immune system. P'ng Loke is a senior investigator at the NIH and Chief of the Type 2 Immunity Section of the NIH's Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases. He explains to listeners that parasitic worms are really good at manipulating their hosts' immune response, particularly in how they affect a type of immune cell called the macrophage. In fact, they are able to remain in hosts for years if not decades undetected. This has huge potential in multiple therapeutic avenues, from organ transplants to overactive immune responses such as inflammatory and other bowel diseases. Loke explains the beginnings of his studies, including a fascinating case of a man suffering from IBD who infected himself with whipworms on purpose after reading some studies and found his disease went in remission. Loke then describes various reasons for this as well as how our efforts toward modern sanitation may have altered our immune system in some ways. He explains that parasitic worms, like helminths, have figured out how to mask themselves from hosts' immune responses, making them akin to a successful organ transplant. If scientists can understand how they are manipulating the immune response to downregulate or suppress its immunity, they may uncover many therapeutic treatments. He adds that most scientists think it is a spillover response—and the ways they affect the type 2 immune cells such as a type of macrophage cell—can lead to a protective barrier of mucus that prohibits bowel inflammation and disease in some cases. He explains this and other theories in more depth, so listen in. For more, see his lab's website: niaid.nih.gov/research/png-loke-phd Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Today's episode features Graciela Chichilnisky, CEO & Co-founder of Global Thermostat and Professor of Economics and Statistics at Columbia University. Tune in to discover: What long-standing common assumption regarding the economy and environmental health is being turned upside down by a new carbon-sequestering technology Why direct-air carbon sequestration is necessary for a carbon-negative technology, and how many gigatons of CO2 must be removed from the atmosphere each year in order to prevent catastrophic climate change Why carbon sequestration will never produce a deficit of CO2 in any location In 1997, US Congress passed the Byrd-Hagel law, which states that there shall be no limitations on greenhouse gas emissions in the US if those limitations would have a negative impact on the economy. This law was passed under the assumption that economic development and a cleaner environment are incompatible goals, and as a result, emissions have gone unchecked and led to dire consequences. Global Thermostat is a company that's turning this assumption on its head; the premise and mission of the company is that it is very much possible to lower emissions and remove CO2 from the atmosphere while at the same time spurring economic development and the creation of jobs. They have created and implemented technology that removes CO2 from the atmosphere in a profitable way by selling it to companies that use it for CO2-desalination processes and the creation of clean gasoline. "CO2 is a very valuable gas that can replace petroleum to produce a lot of goods and services, including clean polymers, biofertilizers…beverages and food…and synthetic fuels," Chichilnisky explains. She continues by describing how the technology works to remove factory-produced CO2 and CO2 directly from the atmosphere via direct air capture. Currently, Global Thermostat is working with ExxonMobil and several other large companies to determine the best way of scaling up and removing 40 gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, which is what the United Nations and US National Academy of Sciences computes is necessary in order to avoid devastating consequences of climate change. Press play for the full conversation and visit https://globalthermostat.com/ to learn more. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Dr. Ritchie has studied corals and associated microbes for over 25 years and currently is focused on marine bacteria that live within corals. She explains for listeners The ecology of coral reefs and what causes coral "bleaching," Why several marine bacteria associated with corals form a protective microbiome through antibiotic production, and How other microbes in the ocean, including bacterial associations of sharks and rays, also have interesting stories to tell. Kim B. Ritchie is an associate professor of genetics and prokaryotic cell biology at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. She tells listeners how her interest in marine bacteria and microbes in the ocean began as an undergrad studying corals and continues in her current research. She explains that corals are animals that have an obligate symbiosis with a single-celled photosynthetic organism called a dinoflagellate. These algae live inside the cells of the corals and give the reefs their colors. Temperature increases cause the corals to expel this algae, leading to what is called coral bleaching and eventually death. She is studying the symbiosis of bacteria and coral and the protective nature of this microbiome. She began by studying the microbial shifts by looking at what type of bacteria are present under normal non-stressful conditions and how that shifts as temperature increases, when more of a pathogenic ecosystem develops. She goes into more detail of why this happens, namely that these beneficial bacteria produce antibiotics that deter the harmful marine bacteria and microbes in the ocean. She noticed in warmer months the corals lose that antibiotic bacteria and gain pathogenic bacteria. She explains her study methods in more detail as well as the implications, and describes other studies she's working on regarding ancient marine microbes such as the healing properties of sharks and rays. For more, see her website at www.uscb.edu/academics/academic_departments/school-of-science-and-mathematics/natural_sciences/research/kim-ritchie.html. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Professor Lewandowski studies effects of pregnancy complications like preterm birth on heart development and other bodily systems and organs. In this podcast, he discusses preterm cardiology and possibilities of heart disease. He explains How the medical community defines and categorizes preterm stages, What preterm heart development looks like compared to in utero, and What studies are being done to identify interventions that might improve long-term cardiovascular health for preterm children. Adam Lewandowski is a university research lecturer and British Heart Foundation Intermediate Research Fellow at the University of Oxford in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine. As neonatal clinical care has advancement to increase survival rates of preterm babies, more focus is on long-term connections between preterm development and heart disease. Professor Lewandowski explains that babies born as early as 22 weeks survive, with a 60 to 70% survival rate within that cohort. He describes preterm development with a cardiology lens, explaining how changes in pressure effect functioning pulmonary resistance. It's common to see an increase in hypertrophic cells and thickening ventricular walls with smaller cavities leading to reduced myocardial functional reserve. Dr. Lewandowski also touches on causes of preterm birth like genetic factors, preeclampsia, infections, obesity, and smoking. He addresses the challenges of preterm care such as monitoring and maintaining lung function, providing nutrition and food, and keeping them infection free. Finally, he discusses chances of adult heart disease and other issues regarding cardiovascular health as well as studies to assess interventions like exercise and nutrition. He explains the importance of monitoring these patients as they grow into adulthood to catch any issues like hypertension early. He reminds listeners that long-term concerns often take a back seat at the neonatal stage because all efforts go to keeping these preterm babies alive. For more about Dr. Lewandowski, see his lab's website at www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/about/our-divisions/division-of-cardiovascular-medicine/division-of-cardiovascular-medicine-research/lewandowski-group. For other resources on these issues, look for good charity websites like the March of Dimes. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Robbie Elbertse is a researcher at Delft University who co-published an article with David Coffey on the creation of a sensor that is only 11 atoms in size, and he dives into all the details on today's show. By tuning in, you'll discover: How to understand and visualize a magnetic wave (one portion of an electromagnetic wave) What properties contribute to an atom's "spin" or magnetic moment In what way quantum mechanics is relied upon in order for wave propagation to occur You may be familiar with "stadium waves" or "doing the wave" at sporting events. It's accomplished when successive groups of spectators raise and almost immediately lower their arms, creating the perception of a wave rolling across the entire audience. Now, imagine what this would look like if instead of individual people contributing to the wave, individual atoms contributed to the wave. This is one way to imagine what's called a magnetic wave, and it was David Coffey's desire to measure this atomic-level wave that inspired him to create a sensor composed of just 11 atoms. Elbertse explains the science behind this sensor, describes why uncoupled electrons orbiting an atom's nucleus cause an atom to have "spin" or magnetic moments, and illustrates how the orientation of certain atoms in a chain can lead to a magnetic wave. Coffey wanted to figure out how far these waves would travel. For example, could a magnetic wave reach the end of a 100-atom chain? In an effort to answer this, Coffey's sensor was created and put to the test. In addition to discussing the results, Elbertse provides an in-depth explanation of the physics behind the sensor, how they conduct their experiments, the benefits and new opportunities provided by the use of this sensor, and much more. Watch the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isdDEIxuN64 and visit https://ottelab.tudelft.nl/ to learn more. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Scott Carver is a lecturer in wildlife ecology at the University of Tasmania who joins the show to discuss his research in the field of ecology and infectious diseases in wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. In this episode, you will learn: How Australian wombats have contracted sarcoptic mange and how the disease progresses within a wombat What ecological role the wombat plays and what types of human-wombat interactions commonly occur What might explain the mystery of cube-shaped wombat poop Carver has a long-standing interest in connecting an understanding of ecosystem health with the health of animals and humans. Over the course of his education and career, he's conducted research on mosquito-borne diseases, viral transmission in bobcats, mountain lions, and domestic cats, and even chlamydia in koalas. These days, Carver's research revolves largely around sarcoptic mange in wombats. It's a disease that affects over 100 different species, including humans (when it affects humans, it is called scabies), and creates both conservation and animal wellness issues. His research is geared around trying to find disease management solutions for this disease in wombats and other affected species. Carver explains that wombats suffer from a version of mange called crusted mange, which is a particularly severe form of the disease that ultimately results in death. He discusses the ways in which the low metabolic rate of wombats could contribute to the severity of sarcoptic mange, why he has chosen to focus on the wombat as a research subject for better understanding the disease, and much more. Press play for the full conversation and check out https://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/zoology/scott-carver to learn more about Carver's research. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK

Professor Susan Richardson specializes in water treatment and drinking water standards. In this podcast, she explores The history of treating drinking water in the U.S., When and why scientists raised concerns over water disinfection by-products (DBPs) and cancer, and Options for decreasing these DBPS, such as using granular activated carbon as a water filter in the treatment phase as well as regulation changes. Water treatment is important in ridding our supply of pathogens and water borne diseases. However, these disinfection by-products combine with organic materials and minerals in the environment when they are released to form DBPs. Susan Richardson explains how she first learned about this issue and where we are today in facing it. She has been the Arthur Sease Williams Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Standards at the University of South Carolina for the last six years, and previously was a research chemist at the U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory for 25 years. She tells listeners that when DBPs were linked to bladder and other cancers in humans, scientists sought her expertise in drinking water standards and these by-products in particular. She provides more details about which DBPs are the most toxic and explains that unfortunately the ones the U.S. doesn't regulate are much more toxic than ones it does. Richardson addresses some of the complications such as environmental variability across regions affecting iodine and bromates, for example. She describes ways to address DBPs that will still prevent water borne diseases and uphold drinking water standards. For example, she describes utilizing granular activated carbon as a sort of water filter right after chloramine is introduced to remove the precursors. To find out more, google EPS regulations. To learn about your local DBP levels, google water quality reports and the name of your city. Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK