Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

We regularly discuss a small suite of commercial crops that have been genetically enhanced with transgenes.  However, one additional genotype was transformed long ago, and approved for use in the USA, Canada and EU-- but nobody talks about it much.  It is the plum resistant to plum pox virus (PPV), a devastating virus of stonefruits.  While rare in the USA, it is endemic throughout the rest of the northern hempisphere, and certainly could become a problem. Dr. Chris Dardick of the USDA-ARS in Kearneysville, WV talks about the plum, its history and current application. The resistant plum was developed by the USDA-ARS in the 1990s, using a similar approach to the successful papaya ringspot virus resistant papaya. The work is a foundational success of biotechnolgy, and an available strategy in the event the virus ever emerges. . 

In 2013 a number of county ordinances sought to end the use of biotech crops on various Hawaiian islands. Hawaii's warm year-'round climate permits several corn seasons a year, so seed corn for the mainland is produced in these locations. However, these technologies are not appreciated by a subset of the population, who see these companies as poisoning paradise. Drs. Steve Savage and Kevin Folta were brought to Kauai by the Hawaiian Crop Improvement Association to speak to business leaders and public audiences. They were met with protests and disdain, and this episode reflects on some of the experiences in public advocacy for sciecne. Dr. Savage also recounts his career in science and growing along with biotech breakthroughs. 

Great products and ideas are everywhere, yet limited by the ability to actually produce them in needed quantitites. The technologies from Sunflower Therapeutics enable bioprocess applications throughout the globe in a deployable unit with a small footprint. Dr. Kerry Love describes the technology and it's applications, along with the philosophy of a public benefit corporation that seeks to meet the needs from small startups to remote ressearchers. 

T-cells are a critical part of the adaptive immune system, actively targeting problematic invaders.  From pathogens to cancers, T-cells seek and destroy potentially dangerous cells, and maintain a memory of their presence. In today's episode Dr. Nigel McCracken describes this part of the adaptive immune system and how Virax Biolabs is using specialized tests to ascertain the presence and activity of T-cells activated by specific pathogens, such as Epstein-Barr Virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and SARS-CoV2. We discuss the many applications of the technology and how the product pipeline may be employed in disease detection, to assess inflammatory response, and to gauge potential immunity to known pathogens.

Disinformation clouds the public understanding of science, especially technology in agriculture and medicine. So when a leading journal publishes false information, academic experts have an obligation to help correct the process. This may be done via a variety of methods, but cordial and collegial discussion is the first step. When that fails, notes to editors and authors are in order. When that fails, written point-by-point rebuttals are required. But what happens when that fails? An article in Pediatrics suggests that children are at special risk when consuming ingredients from gentically engineered (familiarly "GMO") crops. The article is rife with error and inuendo, and presents an opinion that lies diametric to the scientific consensus. Our efforts to correct the information have been met with 100% resistance, as editors, authors and reviwers have entrenched positions that are recalcitrant to revision, or even discussion. It destroys trust in food, technology, experts and a reputable journal. What should we do next? I discuss the situation with immunologist/microbiolgist Dr. Andrea Love and pediatrician Dr. Nicole Keller.

Wikipedia is the go-to source for many people when starting to research a subject. But is the information correct, or does the information even exist in Wikipedia at all?  Susan Gerbic has been training people to edit Wikipedia pages through the Gorilla Skeptics of Wikipedia project. They have edited tens of thousands of pages with over 16 million views. Susan describes the process as well as how you can be involved in correcting online false information. 

Crop genetic engineering has focused primarily on large-acreage crops like corn.  But what about the universe of specialty crops that tantalize consumers, things like blackberries or salad greens?  Pairwise has used precision twists on gene editing to change specific traits in fruit and vegetable crops. Pairwise founder and CEO, Dr. Tom Adams, discusses the current progress, general philosophy, and moonshot plans for bringing exciting new specialty crops to market. 

Advancement of a new drug from pre-clinical trials to clinical trials is a pivotal time in validation of its therapeutic effects and safety.  A panel of experts discusses the process. 

Today's episode marks the beginning of the 10th year of the Talking Biotech Podcast.  To celebrate, Drs. Liza Dunn and Kevin Folta discuss the last decade of biotech breakthroughs and communications efforts, the fight against technology and the amazing progress in gene editing and human genetic therapies. Plus, what you can do to help the effort going forward. 

Chronic inflammation goes hand-in-hand with many diseases, complicating symptoms and affecting routes of treatment. What is the molecular basis of inflammation, and can it be targeted by new drugs? Scientists have studied the molecular basis of the inflammatory response and have identified specific proteins that complex to initiate the response. New drugs are showing promise in breaking the inflammatory cascade. Studies of genealogical records revealed additional targets that modify known genetic pathways that contribute to Alzheimer's, cancers and cardiovascular disease. Dr. David Bearss from Halia Therapeutics explains the roles of inflammation and the mechanisms behind several drug candidates that are targeting chronic inflammation. 

Strategic partnerships are becoming more important in development and deployment of biotechnology solutions. Today's panel discusses the way partnerships are formed, some of the important considerations with IP and licensing, and how relationships are managed. 

The news reports say that scientists have found "high levels" of herbicide in human sperm, and suggest it is a cause of infertility. But what do the data really say? Dr. Andrea Love and I discuss the paper. A report by Vasseur et al., in the June 2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety entitled Glyphosate presence in human sperm: First report and positive correlation with oxidative stress in an infertile French population strongly implies a tight connection between the herbicide glyphosate and world population decline.  However, it is a classical case of overstepping the data. This group studied 128 men in a French infertility clinic and quantified glyphosate in in their blood and seminal fluids. Amazingly, they found parts per trillion, very low levels. They also never measured levels in sperm. They did measure sperm quantity and quality and they are just fine in individuals with glyphosate levels and those below detection. So there is no effect on sperm, consistent with previous studies. They do identify a correlation between glyphosate presence and two oxidative stress markers, but it is unclear what the "normal" range is, and it is very difficult to connect parts per trillion of a benign herbicide and meaningful physiological response. However, this was enough to ignite the media into connecting this trace of herbicide to crashing world populations, when people are most likely simply having smaller families. Dr. Andrea Love @Dr_AndreaLove and immunologic.org

Where many therapeutic compounds are raised in bacteria or fungi, plants sometimes offer many advantages as bioreactors. Capital and production costs are lower, and products may be edible instead of injectable. The problem tends to be standardization, and conditions that ensure that the desired proteins are produced This episode features Jim Wilson from Zea Biologics, where cleanrooms, precise regulation of all aspects of the plant growth environment, and massive data collection, allow for the production of biological compounds to treat everything from hemophilia to influenza. The compounds are bio-encapsulated, a patented process that allows oral delivery instead of injection. Using precision "pharming" drugs and be produced at a lower cost in less time, and the products are temperature stable, allowing wider distribution at lower cost, with a lower carbon footprint. www.zeabio.com

Canada has a unique approach to plant genetic improvement that follows the product, not the process. In other words, if there is potential risk from any genetic manipulation technique, from polyploidization to transgenic to gene edits, Canadian regulators assess the relative risk in the final product. But what does the regulatory climate look like going forward as gene editing becomes more routine? Today's podcast is a conversation with Jennifer Hubert, Executive Director of Biotechnology at Crop Life Canada. 

Immunotherapy is weaponizing the body's immune system against cancer or other disease. One of the most promising approaches is CAR-T cell therapy, yet as this technology has been implemented, it's limitations have been identified. Dr. Andy Scharenberg described the current drawbacks of CAR-T cells and how his company, Umoja, is re-engineering CAR-T cells in vivo to create more effective therapies, including approaches that can address solid tumors. Co-hosted by Donald Coon. www.umoja-biopharma.com