Finding Genius Podcast

Why has so much misinformation spread surrounding endometriosis? While initially thought to be simply the cause of painful periods, the picture has become more transparent than ever before. Press play to learn: Where endometriosis may appear The average time it takes to get a proper endometriosis diagnosis Alternative options to surgery  Heather C. Guidone, BCPA and Surgical Program Director at the Center for Endometriosis Care, shares her work helping people find solutions that work with their endometriosis and educating researchers in the field. For years, the information surrounding endometriosis has been cloudy at best, and victims have struggled to find validation. Unfortunately, the thought to be cures of the past may have had very little efficacy in treating the condition. While endometriosis has various effects based upon the sufferer, there is also a range of solutions and treatments becoming available to patients. However, it is essential to find a specialized provider to conduct the proper evaluations to find a treatment that may be most beneficial to the patient. To learn more, visit https://centerforendo.com. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

In 1995, a research group at Lund University led by Professor Catharina Svanborg discovered a component in human breast milk that kills tumor cells without harming healthy, mature cells. Additional studies and experiments determined that a common protein in human milk known as alpha-lactalbumin is responsible for this effect when bound with oleic acid. The new biological complex is called Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made Lethal to tumor cells, also known as HAMLET. Click on play to learn: How HAMLET was discovered. What side effects were identified in the HAMLET treatment of bladder cancer. What other kinds of cancer can be treated with HAMLET. Initial findings showed that HAMLET killed numerous types of cancers using harmless molecules from breast milk. It was confirmed to be safe in proof-of-concept studies in animals. A clinical trial with bladder cancer patients used breast milk. Patients responded very quickly with no apparent side effects. They rapidly shed large numbers of tumor cells via urine. The project moved into drug development where researchers identified peptides and fatty acids to create a compound with activity similar to what was observed using breast milk to treat tumors. Another trial was conducted in humans diagnosed with bladder cancer by treating bladder tumors. Further studies focused on developing a drug substance made from different synthetic compounds that would work in the same way as HAMLET. HAMLET Pharma began in 1999 to develop drugs based on HAMLET for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Currently, efforts to fund the production of the synthetic form of HAMLET are underway. To learn more visit: Websites: hamletpharma.com    lucc.lu.se Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

How can conditions be corrected in a child before they are even born? Fetal gene therapy may hold the key. Listen in to learn: How fetal surgery was introduced How fetal genetic editing can be introduced Where the genetic material can be introduced William H. Peranteau, MD, is an attending surgeon in the Division of General, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Today he stops by to share his hope for the future of surgical possibilities for fetuses. While the possibilities for fetal surgery have been speculated for decades, fetal genetic engineering is the bleeding edge of new techniques. By proving its efficacy to the FDA and the medical community at large, editing genetics may bring a wave of hope similar to the ability to operate in utero. Though the technique is most effective if introduced as young as possible, the younger the patient is, the more complex the editing is. In the future, the hope is that procedures become more accessible by reducing the demanding requirements on both the patient and medical staff. To learn more, visit https://www.chop.edu/doctors/peranteau-william-h. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

New findings in the understanding of tumor cell resistance to therapies—a main contributing factor to tumor recurrence —are being discovered and analyzed. Tune in to learn: How cancer cells develop resistance to certain drugs Whether tumor cells coordinate action amongst themselves and act as one entity Why a drug that initially has excellent clinical responses ultimately fails to prevent tumor recurrence  How tumor cells change within a matter of hours following targeted therapy In the Marusyk Lab at Moffitt Cancer Center, Andriy Marusyk, PhD is studying how cancer develops resistance to targeted therapies, with the aim of better understanding how tumors change over time and evolve in response to therapy-induced pressures. Equipped with this knowledge, Marusyk believes we’ll be that much closer to knowing how to obtain better treatment outcomes. He explains the design of his experimental system and shares some early research findings. “We’ve found that we cannot explain resistance with any single mechanism; instead, resistance appears to reflect a combined output of multiple individual changes.” Marusyk goes on to elaborate on the nature of these changes, and the implications for cancer therapy in general. Press play to hear the full conversation and check out https://moffitt.org/research-science/researchers/andriy-marusyk/ to learn more about Marusyk’s research. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals is an innovative biopharmaceutical company that is currently developing novel therapies that enhance the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to areas where the need is greatest. In 2021, Diffusion reported successful test results for human safety and tolerance from a Phase 1b trial for trans sodium crocetinate (TCS), Diffusion Pharmaceuticals’ lead therapy. Click on play to learn: How TCS enhances the diffusion process. What clinical trials for cellular oxygen deficiency are in the pipeline at Diffusion Pharmaceuticals. What the next steps are for current clinical studies and drug development. Dr. Robert Cobuzzi, Jr., an accomplished life sciences professional, is President, CEO, and Board Member at Diffusion Pharmaceuticals as of September 2020. He has more than 25 years of experience in cross-functional leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. TSC is Diffusion’s lead drug candidate and recently completed a Phase 1b study evaluating TSC in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The drug improves the way oxygen moves to hypoxic tissues and has been shown to accelerate the speed of oxygen movement through the blood which allows an increased rate of oxygen diffusion. Earlier this year, the company reported successful trial results in the testing of TSC for human safety and tolerance. The recently completed transcutaneous oxygen monitoring (TCOM) trial is the first of three short-term controlled Oxygenation Trials being conducted at Diffusion Pharmaceuticals. The data gathered from the TCOM trial will provide information for study design of upcoming trials and the ongoing evaluation of the timing of administration to capitalize on clinical effectiveness. Two other trials, the Induced Hypoxia Trial and the DLCO Trial are planned for the second half of 2021. To learn more visit: Website: https://www.diffusionpharma.com Twitter: @DiffusionPharma Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

How have researchers been viewing obesity incorrectly for years? Many forms of obesity may actually be driven by biochemical pathways going awry. Listen up to learn: How hypothalamic damage affects the body Why some individuals may resist insulin signals What a healthy diet really looks like Robert H. Lustig, M.D., is a Professor of Pediatrics and joins the discussion to share his research on various schools of thought surrounding obesity and diabetes. Many folks suffering from obesity and diabetes have received the same treatment and explanations from medical professionals for years. However, gluttony and sloth may not be the complete picture when it comes to individuals who struggle with health and weight. In truth, many of the patients viewed and studied have other root causes within their bodies that may explain their prolonged struggle. However, by following diets laid out over extensive research, there has been a marked shift in the success of many patients. If you would like to learn more, visit robertlustig.com. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

How can studying the vocal abilities of animals lend insight into their world? By studying acoustic patterns and cognition, a new understanding of how various animals can be gained. Press play to learn: What animal has the largest brain to body ratio other than humans How dolphins communicate to hunt The impact of studying animal communication Diana Reiss, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Animal Behavior & Conservation MA & Certificate Programs, stops in to share her work studying the capacity of various species to communicate with one another and what it may indicate. Many people know of the ability of parrots to mimic words and dolphins' ability to echolocate. However, the vast majority do not understand the miraculous cognitive complexity needed to facilitate this ability in animals across the animal kingdom. By attempting to understand how and why animals communicate or feel the need to mimic, humans can better understand how these species operate on a daily basis. But, sadly, this revelation also brings into consideration the inhumane treatment of many vastly intelligent creatures and the need to modernize our way of thinking.  Visit m2c2.net/latexm2c2latex/diana-reiss/diana-reiss/ for more information. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

As a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dr. Ashani Weeraratna, Ph.D. has established an environment that challenges researchers and facilitates cancer research. She is an expert on melanoma metastasis, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the effects of aging on melanoma metastasis. Dr. Weeraratna also serves as president of The Society of Melanoma Research. Click on play to learn: What happens to healthy cells that are surrounded by cancer cells. How age-related changes at the molecular level may affect tumor cells. How cells are affected if they are a localized cancer versus a metastatic niche. The Weeraratna lab is known for cancer biology research and is currently studying the molecular mechanisms that lead to metastatic progression and therapy resistance. Dr. Weeraratna has conducted research on the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction pathways to determine what causes cells to become more aggressive and develop into melanoma tumors. The goal is to understand the age-related changes at a molecular level and identify how those changes affect tumor cells making them behave aggressively. Research continues on the effects of the tumor microenvironment on metastasis and therapy resistance. Researchers seek to understand how the aging microenvironment influences metastasis and therapy resistance, specifically in melanoma. In the short term, Dr. Weeraratna hopes to use an inhibitor to enhance the response to targeted therapies in older patients who are not eligible for immune therapy. In the long term, studies are focusing on age-related modifications such as life-style changes and/or medications to increase the chances of surviving cancer. The ultimate goal is to treat cancer as a chronic disease. In December 2021, Dr. Weeraratna’s book, Is Cancer Inevitable? will be released. The book includes the personal story of her journey to become a respected cancer researcher. It also discusses the research she has been involved in such as the effects of aging on skin and corresponding changes in tumor growth as well as seeking ways to treat and prevent melanoma. To learn more visit: Website:          research.jhu.edu/members/ashani-weeraratna                            jhu.bmb.phd.org/ashani-weeraratna Twitter:           @AshaniTW Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

From a tiny, rented house in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, Emily Monroe began to implement her dream of providing daycare, child protection, and education to at-risk children. With few resources, much hope, many ideas, and the help of friends, the dream of helping children stay with their families has become reality. Casita Copán, a community-based organization in Copán, Honduras provides economic opportunities and social assistance to single mothers and their children. Click on play to learn: Why children are at risk of abandonment in Copán Ruinas, Honduras. How family style homes provide temporary foster care at Casita Copá What assistance is available through the Mercadito program to help women start a business. There are few opportunities to find employment for single mothers in small rural towns in Honduras to earn enough money to support their children. Emily Moore saw a need for gainful employment when she visited Honduras more than 10 years ago and began to think about what she could do to change the fact that too many single-parent families in Honduras live in poverty with limited opportunities. The reality of these small rural towns is that single mothers are raising their children while working long hours in low-paying jobs. Children considered at risk can be sent to institutions far away from their communities because few resources exist within the community. Casita Copán fills the need for a day care center for children that provides education, nutrition, and health services to young children. There are few opportunities for youth in Honduras to obtain an education. Through Casita Copán, local youth have an opportunity to participate in educational programming, workshops, trainings, and even internships in the community to obtain work experience. Students may earn a scholarship to attend high school and continue their education. To learn more visit: Website: casitacopan.org Twitter: @CasitaCopan Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C

Dr. Vanessa LoBue has a keen interest in emotional development, and the effects of emotion and experience on perception and learning. She is the Lab Director at the Child Study Center at Rutgers University that conducts studies on the emotional, cognitive, and perceptual development of infants and children. In a current study, Dr. LoBue has been following a group of children from the age of four months to their current ages of three years old. The goal is to follow the same group of children as they continue to grow and develop. Click on play to learn: What is currently known about perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that may shape behavior. How an infant’s temperament may influence their sensitivity to emotions around them. What are the discoveries on the subject of children’s avoidance responses. Ongoing research at the Child Study Center explores the behavioral responses to negative or threatening stimuli. Dr. LoBue has been working on studies that focus on infants and their responses to the environment surrounding them. Infants take cues from their primary caregiver and research has demonstrated that they are able to quickly perceive the presence of threatening stimuli in infancy. One of the goals of a current study is to use the data from previous research in conjunction with new data to identify responses to threatening stimuli. Of particular interest is whether early perceptual biases for threat contribute to inadequately developed avoidance behaviors associated with anxiety. Researchers hope to learn about biases that infants develop in the first months after birth. One aspect of the study is the role of temperament in the development of biases for threatening behaviors. What are the differences in response to a perceived threat between more sensitive infants and babies who tend to be more social? What are the stress factors? How does an anxious mother influence the emotional wellbeing of her baby? The search for the answers to these and other questions motivates the research of Dr. LoBue and her associates To learn more visit: Website: childstudycenter-rutgers.com Twitter: @vanessalobue Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/30PvU9C