Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 11-21-2-24:

• Dr. Dawn introduces the groundbreaking Cellular Atlas project published in Nature journal, explaining how new technology allows unprecedented analysis of cellular interactions and developmental patterns.
• She explores the concept of holobionts - viewing symbiotic organisms as composite life forms with their microbiomes as co-equal contributors - challenging traditional views of individual organisms.
• The show delves into examples of holobiont relationships in nature, from bark beetles carrying fungal spores to the complex bacterial communities in human bodies and plant root systems.
• Dr. Dawn discusses how the holobiont perspective is revolutionizing our understanding of diseases, from cancer microbiomes to colony collapse disorder in bees.
• She examines practical applications of holobiont research in agriculture, including drought-resistant crops and methods to reduce methane emissions from cattle.
• The show explores the gut-brain axis and how microbiome interactions influence various diseases including depression, anxiety, and metabolic disorders.
• She then discusses research identifying that various cancers co-exist in the body with distinct fungal and bacterial microbiomes of their own
• Dr. Dawn concludes with a discussion of declining iodine levels in the American population, examining dietary changes and potential health implications.