Radiolab The Shark Inside You
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Jun 18, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, Becca Bressler, a producer at Radiolab, takes us on a global journey to uncover the remarkable potential of shark antibodies in cancer research. She explores how these unique antibodies might help us tackle chemotherapy-resistant cancers. The chat dives into the evolutionary history of sharks and their immune systems, illustrating how they can fit into tumor nooks where human antibodies falter. Bressler also highlights the surprising role sharks could play in future medical breakthroughs, merging humor with scientific intrigue.
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Immune System's Antibody Magic
- Our immune cells can create antibodies customized for any invading pathogen or toxin.
- This ability uses a unique gene rearrangement that generates billions of different antibody variations.
Sharks Hold Ancient Immunity
- Sharks have the oldest immune system like ours dating back 450 million years.
- This evolutionary milestone likely marks the beginning of complex, adaptive immunity in vertebrates.
Evolution of Immune Superpowers
- The emergence of jawed vertebrates triggered evolutionary pressure for complex immune defenses.
- This includes adaptive immune cells that mix and match DNA to generate diverse antibodies.