What makes blueberries blue, and myth buster Adam Savage on science communication
Feb 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Former MythBuster Adam Savage discusses science communication and his current projects. They also explore the science of blueberries and how wax causes their blue color. The podcast includes a discussion on organoid therapies for digestive diseases.
Blueberries and other blue fruits owe their hue to a trick of the light caused by specialized wax on their surface.
Organoids, miniature versions of organs created from stem cells, are being used to study diseases more accurately and develop better treatments.
Deep dives
Organoid therapies for digestive diseases
Dr. Jim Wells, Chief Scientific Officer of the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine at Cincinnati Children's, discusses how organoids can be used to study and treat gastrointestinal and metabolic organs. The research aims to replicate the normal and disease processes of these organs by incorporating immune cells into organoids. The collaboration between scientists and clinicians at Cincinnati Children's has led to the development of organoid diagnostics, which have helped identify complications in patients and informed their care plans. Additionally, efforts are underway to translate the use of intestinal organoids into therapeutic transplants for patients with intestinal injuries or inflammatory bowel disease.
The role of waxy coatings in organoid research
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's have been using human stem cells to create organoids, which are miniature versions of organs, in order to study their development and function. The incorporation of waxy coatings into these organoids allows them to better replicate normal and disease processes. By engineering organoids to include immune cells, researchers can model diseases more accurately and develop better treatments. This collaborative approach between scientists and clinicians has also led to the development of organoid diagnostics, which have improved disease diagnosis and patient care.
Unlocking the mysteries of organ development
Dr. Jim Wells and his team at Cincinnati Children's have been studying the development of gastrointestinal and endocrine organs, including the pancreas, intestines, and liver. By using model organisms and pluripotent stem cells, they have identified the fundamental processes that govern organogenesis. This knowledge is now being translated into the generation of organoids, which are miniaturized versions of these organs. The goal is to use organoids for therapeutic purposes, such as transplanting them into patients with diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal injuries. The collaboration between researchers, surgeons, and gastroenterologists is key to advancing this field and improving pediatric healthcare.
Intestinal organoids as a potential treatment
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's are working on a novel therapeutic approach using intestinal organoids. These organoids, grown from pluripotent stem cells, are designed to repair injuries in the intestine and restore its normal functioning. By scaling up the production of intestinal organoids, researchers aim to transplant them into patients with diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or other intestinal complications. The success of preclinical studies in animal models has provided promising results, leading to the establishment of the Custom Accelerator Program, which focuses on transitioning basic research discoveries into clinical applications.
Next on the show, making blueberries without blue pigments. Rox Middleton, a postdoctoral fellow at the Dresden University of Technology and honorary research associate at the University of Bristol, joins host Sarah Crespi to talk about how blueberries and other blue fruits owe their hue to a trick of the light caused by specialized wax on their surface.
In a sponsored segment from the Science/AAAS Custom Publishing Office, Erika Berg, director and senior editor of custom publishing, interviews professor Jim Wells about organoid therapies. This segment is sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy.