Claim OwnershipBioTA Podcast
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© J. Phil Gibson
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An introduction to biological principles and concepts behind the biology we experience every day.
49 Episodes
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In the 1500s, a disease called Cocoliztli devastated Indigenous communities in what is now Mexico. But what caused it? In this episode, we tell the story of Cocoliztli and how modern scientists used history, teeth, ancient DNA, and tree rings to identify the pathogen behind Cocoliztli, whose modern relatives still live among us.
Every day, your body fights a quiet, microscopic war. But how does the immune system know what to attack and what to leave alone? In this episode, Dr. Katriana Popichak, a researcher who focuses on how immune and inflammatory responses shape human health, helps us understand what the immune system is, how vaccines train it without giving you the disease, and how inflammation, meant to protect us, can sometimes be the root cause of some serious diseases.
What do a Cold War assassination, a vengeful ex-spouse, and a hit TV show all have in common? A poison so powerful it can shut down protein synthesis entirely. In this episode, we break down the central dogma of biology and describe what protein synthesis is, how it works, and how one of the deadliest natural toxins known can bring the process to a complete stop.
The Gram stain is a cornerstone of microbiology labs, but what is it actually telling us, and why does it work? In this episode, Jimena and Emma unpack the history and logic of the Gram stain, explain how differences in bacterial cell walls drive the result, and share practical tips for improving your staining technique.
Revisit this holiday episode that looks into the botanical origins of many Christmas traditions in Saturnalia, Yule, and other winter celebrations.
We’re reposting one of our most popular episodes! Learn about the botanical origins and symbolism of this ancient holiday. Happy Halloween!
What do dogs and dandelions have in common? More than you’d think. Both are products of artificial selection. Sometimes it’s deliberate, and sometimes totally accidental. In this episode, we dig into how human choices (and mistakes) have shaped species in surprising ways. From the lovable evolution of dogs to the rise of unstoppable, herbicide-resistant weeds, we explore how artificial selection can create both best friends… and botanical enemies.
In this episode, we continue exploring microbiology by talking with Dr. Katriana Popichak about the tiny troublemakers all around us: bacteria and viruses. What are they? How do they infect us? And, more importantly, how can we push back against them? Grab some hand sanitizer and settle in as we untangle fact from fiction about microbes, antibiotics, vaccines, and the science of keeping microbes under control so they don’t ruin your day.
In this second episode on antibiotics, the Infectious Minds duo explores an unintended, and occasionally terrifying consequence of these life-saving drugs, antibiotic resistance. What exactly is antibiotic resistance? How did it arise? And what kind of microbial “monsters” are we now up against? This episode unpacks the fundamental science behind one of medicine’s most urgent and literally evolving threats.
For most of human history, even a simple scrape could turn deadly. Then came antibiotics. They were powerful, mysterious, and world-changing. But what exactly are they? Where did they come from, and how do they work? In this episode, the Infectious Minds student podcasters step into the studio to bring you the science and share the story behind one of medicine’s most important discoveries.
In this episode, we sink our teeth into the world of vampire bats and rabies. Two fearless researchers take us from their jungle field sites to the lab as they track how hungry bats can spread viruses, including rabies! They also share what to do if you ever encounter a bat, raccoon, or other suspicious critter lurking in your home or yard. It’s a tale of blood, viruses, and the intersection of wildlife and human health.
From racehorses to fancy pigeons, Darwin saw selective breeding as humans applying one of nature’s most powerful forces, evolution by natural selection, to change domesticated species. This episode explores how Darwin used evidence of what he called artificial selection to support his ideas on natural selection and evolution, how modern genetics backs him up, and why selection is constantly shaping the world around us.
In this Twilight Zone-inspired episode of BioTA, two biology students prepping for lab encounter a pair of unexpected space travelers who want help unraveling a mystery: Why do some bacteria defy antibiotics while others perish? Why do some plants tolerate herbicides while others shrivel? With a crash course in the concepts of genotypes and phenotypes, the students explain some of the basic principles that life on Earth follows (most of the time).
This episode uses the sci-fi action film Jurassic Park as a springboard to explore fundamental concepts in genetics. While the film imagines resurrecting dinosaurs through ancient DNA, we break down the real science behind this film, clarifying what a genome is, how chromosomes organize DNA, and how genes function as trait-coding units with alleles as their variations. By separating cinematic fiction from reality, we can learn some genetics while uncovering what’s scientifically possible, and what is purely Hollywood fantasy.
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.
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-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.
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!
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.
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.
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