Science Friday An Off-The-Grid Nobel Win, And Antibiotics In Ancient Microbes
Oct 11, 2025
Dr. Fred Ramsdell, a Nobel Prize winner for his groundbreaking work on regulatory T cells, shares the surprising way he learned about his win while off-the-grid. He delves into the therapeutic potentials of these cells in treating autoimmune diseases. Dr. César de la Fuente, a bioengineering professor, discusses his innovative approach using AI to discover new antibiotics from ancient archaea. With a staggering success rate against bacteria, his research aims to combat the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Surprise Nobel Announcement In The Wild
- Fred Ramsdell learned about his Nobel win while on a remote camping/backpacking trip with his wife and no cell service.
- They celebrated with the only bottle of Prosecco available and a visit to an Irish pub in Livingston, Montana.
FOXP3 Links Tiny T Cells To Immune Tolerance
- The FOXP3 gene is expressed only in a tiny subset of T cells that mediate immune tolerance.
- Identifying FOXP3 linked that cell population to regulatory function and explained how peripheral tolerance prevents autoimmunity.
Iterate T-Cell Therapies Through Early Trials
- Continue developing regulatory T-cell therapies while iterating on durability and delivery.
- Test early clinical trials for autoimmune diseases, transplant tolerance, and graft rejection to refine next-generation treatments.