TED Health Can dogs detect the next pandemic before it begins? | Glen J. Golden
Jan 7, 2025
Glen J. Golden, a neurobiologist focused on the remarkable sense of smell in animals, discusses how dogs and other critters might help detect future pandemics. He shares exciting insights on training these furry allies to sniff out diseases, potentially halting outbreaks before they start. Golden also explores the development of a 'mechanical nose' that could revolutionize disease detection by identifying specific odor profiles. His passion for blending science and animal talents opens up a fascinating conversation about innovative healthcare solutions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mechanical Nose for Disease Detection
- Glenn Golden envisions a "mechanical nose" disease detector.
- This device would identify airborne illness odor profiles, enabling early detection and isolation.
Avian Influenza's Impact
- Avian influenza devastated chicken populations, impacting egg prices.
- Current testing methods are slow and inefficient, highlighting the need for rapid detection.
Complexity of Mechanical Nose Development
- Developing a mechanical nose is complex due to the mammalian olfactory system's intricacy.
- Studying how dogs detect diseases in wildlife informs this development.