Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Connie Diekman, a food and nutrition consultant and former media expert, teams up with Dr. Cami Ryan, an industry affairs leader at Bayer Canada, to discuss the swirling storm of misinformation in food science. They delve into how both social and traditional media influence public perceptions and the challenges scientists face in communicating effectively. The duo emphasizes the importance of trust-building, peer review, and enhancing scientific literacy to help consumers navigate today’s complex information landscape.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast (464) host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with journalist and author Michael Grunwald about his book 'We Are Eating the Earth.' They discuss the complex relationship between food production, climate change, and biotechnology, emphasizing the need for multifaceted solutions rather than single silver bullet approaches. Grunwald shares insights from his journey into understanding food production's impact on the environment, agroecology and regenerative farming, the challenges of public perception regarding biotechnology, and the importance of innovative practices in agriculture. The conversation also touches on the issues of food waste, biofuels, and the necessity for government investment in agricultural research and technology. You can buy Mike's book here:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Are-Eating-the-Earth/Michael-Grunwald/

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Roger Cone discusses the complexities of obesity and eating disorders, emphasizing the role of brain circuits in regulating feeding behaviors. He explains the significance of GLP-1 agonists and melanocortin receptors in developing therapeutic approaches for conditions like obesity, anorexia, and cachexia. The conversation highlights the potential of combining these therapies to enhance treatment efficacy and the implications for public health. But most importantly, the approaches offer potential new therapies to address anorexia and cachexia that may prove to be as effective as GLP1 agonists have been for addressing obesity. 

This episode of the Talking Biotech podcast features Dr. Anita Shukla discussing the critical issue of antibiotic resistance and the innovative engineering solutions being explored to combat it. The conversation covers the evolutionary nature of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the importance of antibiotics in healthcare, and the collaborative efforts of the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) to identify research priorities and strategies. Dr. Shukla emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic approaches, improved drug delivery systems, and the integration of advanced detection methods to address the growing challenge of AMR.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Sarah Taber, who shares her journey from agricultural consulting to running for Ag Secretary in North Carolina. It is mostly a story of dedication to changing the norms and changing the rules to benefit more farmers, trying to break deeply entrenched interests to create real change. The conversation explores the challenges facing North Carolina agriculture, the need for innovative ideas to shift from traditional crops to more profitable produce, and the political landscape that influences agricultural policies. Sarah discusses her motivations for running, the strategies she employed during her campaign, and the lessons learned from the experience. The episode concludes with insights on the future of agriculture in North Carolina and advice for aspiring politicians.

Dr. Kevin Folta dives into the current state of avian influenza, exploring the elusive H5N1 strain and its history. He raises crucial concerns about surveillance and the ethical dilemmas surrounding euthanizing infected poultry. The shift from traditional vaccines to mRNA technology is examined, revealing troubling cuts in funding for effective vaccination strategies. Moreover, the discussion highlights the potential risks of an avian influenza pandemic, emphasizing the need for proactive public health measures and the urgent necessity of informed discourse on vaccination.

This episode of the Talking Biotech podcast delves into the evolutionary significance and domestication history of corn (maize). Dr. Kevin Folta hosts a discussion with Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra from UC Davis, exploring the traits that enabled maize's domestication, the role of the TGA gene, and the implications for modern breeding. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding maize's genetic diversity and how modern tools may be used to unravel long standing questions about maize domestication.

In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta and Luis Ventura discuss the recent constitutional ban on genetically engineered corn in Mexico. They explore the implications of this regulation, the disinformation surrounding it, and the challenges faced by Mexican farmers. The conversation also touches on the broader impact of this ban on biotechnology in Latin America and the potential economic consequences for trade between Mexico and the United States.

Luis Ventura, a biotechnology expert and contributor to the Genetic Literacy Project, dives into the rich cultural and economic tapestry of corn in Mexico. He unpacks the ramifications of the moratorium on genetically modified corn and its implications for farmers facing drought. The conversation also touches on the contentious debate surrounding GM corn, biodiversity concerns, and the historical ties of corn to U.S.-Mexico relations. Ventura emphasizes the need for modern agricultural advancements to support local economies while navigating shifting public perceptions.

This conversation explores the intersection of natural products and synthetic biology, emphasizing the importance of science communication and outreach. Julia Ball shares her passion for connecting the public with plant science, while Dr. Philip Zerbe discusses the potential of synthetic biology in producing valuable natural products, particularly terpenoids. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating the public about biotechnology and the role of synthetic biology in sustainable drug production. In this conversation, Dr. Philipp Zerbe discusses the intersection of synthetic biology and natural products, focusing on the advancements in omics technologies and their role in bioactivity screening and pathway engineering. He highlights the recent breakthroughs in Taxol production, the complexities of intellectual property in synthetic biology, and the varying consumer perceptions of bioengineered products. Additionally, he provides insights into career guidance for students interested in these fields, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience and networking.