Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

The COVID19 vaccines have the potential to squelch a dangerous pandemic. However, the public has many questions about their safety and efficacy that could limit their broad administration. Some of the questions concern the immune system, how it is affected by the vaccine, why two doses are necessary, and if the response is durable. Today’s podcast interviews Dr. Asha Brunings about the immunology of the COVID vaccine and the disease itself.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Two mRNA vaccines have been approved to lead the fight against COVID19. Both have been rapidly approved with Emergency Use Authorization, which does not build public trust. Ultimately compelling the vaccine hesitant to receive the vaccination may be the most significant hurdle in the process. The science is complete, now the challenge is public acceptance.  Today’s podcast is more detail on the vaccine, how it works, and the reasons for hesitancy.  The New England Journal of Medicine published clinical trials are described as well, along with strategies for effective communication. With Allison Kennedy and Dr. Asha Brunings# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Apples seem rather ubiqutous, but what we see in the stores are just a sample of the genetic diversity that is out there.  Today’s podcast discusses apple domestication and diversification with Dr. Norm Weeden.  its early history and radiation are discussed. as well as an understanding of its genomics and genetics.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Despite its essential role in the economy and food security, agriculture has lagged behind with respect to adoption of new technology. This has happened for many reasons, partially from technology companies not realizing the opportunities in agriculture, and partially from high costs, and agriculture’s adherence to current practices. Dr. Adrian Percy has been a leader in agricultural reserach innovation and venture capital. We discuss the opportunities in agriculture and the limitations to successful deployment in the newest innovation.Follow Dr. Percy on Twitter: @adrianpercy His podcast is here:  AgTech360 on iTunes Follow on Twitter:  AgTech360 @AgTech360# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The rise of mRNA vaccines has revolutionized our approach to infectious diseases. This technology, rooted in the 1990s, faced skepticism but proved effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast delves into the history, innovation, and mechanisms behind mRNA vaccines, highlighting key figures like Katalin Kariko. It also addresses public concerns, the importance of herd immunity, and the potential future impact of mRNA strategies in vaccine development. Engaging discussions round out the exploration of this breakthrough in biotechnology.

Technology is driving innovation on the farm, and there have been significant efforts in improving livestock.  Whether it was to produce a novel therapeutic or to solve a critical disease in animals, genetic engineering techniques have been used to target significant animal and human problems. There are many more successful innovations than commercial successes, as the regulatory climate is highly unfavorable to animal recombinant DNA technology. Dr. Mark Westhusin from Texas A&M University has been a leader in application of these tools to animal systems. In this episode we discuss the innovations, the regulations, and some of the solutions to animal agriculture problems worldwide.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Gene editing is a relatively new technology that has revolutionary applications in agriculture and medicine.  The drawback to the technology is that it typically can only be used to disrupt a deleterious gene underlying a specific trait.  Gene writing exploits a natural process in cells that allows researchers to install genes of interest, allowing replacement of damaged sequences that lead to negative health outcomes.  Dr. Geoff von Maltzahn of Tessera describes what the new technology is and its most likely applications, particularly in the area of correcting genetic disease. Twitter:  Tessera @TesseraTx Dr. Geoffrey von Maltzahn;  @GVMaltzahn# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

The onion has tremendous value in culinary applications all over the world.  Where did it come from?  What are the major breeding efforts and the important traits.  Today’s podcast discusses the onion’s origin and future directions with Dr. Michael Havey, USDA-ARS/University of Wisconsin onion breeder.  He speaks of the onion’s interesting background, its surprising genome, and traits that will define the onion of the future.  A very interesting discussion of an important world food crop.Havey Lab Website # COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

On Halloween it is hard to remember that the pumpkins used for decoration are actually an important food for indigenous people of the Americas.  There are multiple species of pumpkins that originated in North and South America, and primarily used for food.  Dr. Harry Paris is a retired Senior Researcher and fruit breeder from the Volcani Center in Israel.  We discuss the origins of pumpkins, how they moved in the New World, as well as the diversity and uses for this important fruit.# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Gene editing moved quickly from the lab to application, so fast that the public is unsure how to think about it.  We can cure disease, but are we playing with the natural order of things? These are questions that philosophers and ethicists wrestle with every day.  in this week’s podcast we discuss the recent events in germline gene editing and how it is perceived by the public and by scientists.Follow Dr. Gyngell’s group:  @Berg_MCRI# COLABRATalking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/# TALKING BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.