Radiolab The Interstitium
44 snips
Nov 17, 2023 
Join Jenn Brandel, a radio reporter deeply involved in investigative storytelling, and Neil Theis, a pioneering liver pathologist who uncovered the interstitium. They explore the groundbreaking discovery of this formerly invisible network of fluid channels that connects our organs. The discussion delves into how this finding could revolutionize our understanding of cancer and bridge Eastern and Western medical practices. They also highlight the remarkable implications for anatomy and health arising from advanced imaging techniques, merging tradition with modern science.
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Unlikely Doctor
- Neil Theis, a pathologist, initially pursued medicine for personal reasons, not solely altruism.
- He feared loneliness and believed a medical career would guarantee a meaningful life and a well-attended funeral.
A Puzzling Honeycomb
- David Car-Locke showed Neil Theis, a pathologist, images from a new endoscope revealing honeycomb-like structures in the bile duct.
- Theis, initially puzzled because prepared slides showed cracks, not holes, realized the preparation process distorted the tissue.
Cracks and Spaces
- The cracks previously dismissed as artifacts in prepared tissue slides are actually remnants of fluid-filled spaces.
- This discovery suggested a network of fluid channels might exist throughout the body, not just in the bile duct.
