Talking Biotech is a weekly podcast that uncovers the stories, ideas and research of people at the frontier of biology and engineering. Each episode explores how science and technology will transform agriculture, protect the environment, and feed 10 billion people by 2050. Interviews are led by Dr. Kevin Folta, a professor of molecular biology and genomics.
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Colabra Podcasts

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Unintended Effects of HPV and Shingles Vaccines - Dr. Kevin Folta
24:13
24:13
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24:13Anti-vaccination activists, including the US Health and Human Services Secretary, decry the risk of vaccination. In two recently developed vaccines the emerging story is that there is risk in not being vaccinated. Analysis of large data sets shows that over the last 20 years, those vaccinated with the HPV vaccine have a lower incidence of cervical,…
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Revolutionizing Agriculture with RNA Technology - Dr. Andrey Zarur
58:22
58:22
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58:22In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Andrey Zarur, CEO of Greenlight Biosciences, discusses the innovative applications of RNA technology in agriculture. The conversation covers the challenges of food security, the role of RNA in pest control, and the regulatory advantages of RNA-based products. Dr. Zarur highlights the efficacy and …
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Glyphosate 10 Years After IARC - Dr. Robert Tarone
50:41
50:41
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50:41Summary In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Robert Tarone, a retired scientist with extensive experience in cancer statistics and experimental design. They discuss the controversial IARC monograph that classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, the flaws in the evaluation process, and the implic…
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Glyphosate: 10 Lessons from 10 Years After IARC - Dr. David Zaruk
1:06:37
1:06:37
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1:06:37In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Kevin Folta and Dr. David Zaruk discuss the complexities surrounding glyphosate, particularly in light of the IARC Monograph 112 published a decade ago. They explore the implications of the reclassification of glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, the ensuing litigation, influence and corruption, and t…
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Evidence of Pig Domestication - Dr. Jiajing Wang
32:24
32:24
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32:24This conversation explores the domestication of pigs, highlighting their importance in human society, the historical evidence of their domestication, and innovative research methods used to study their relationship with humans. Dr. Jiajing Wang from Dartmouth College discusses the significance of dental calculus in elucidaing pig diets and behavior…
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The Shingles Vaccines and Dementia - Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer
25:15
25:15
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25:15In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer about the relationship between the shingles vaccine and dementia. They discuss the prevalence of shingles, the current vaccination rates, and the potential implications of shingles vaccination on cognitive decline. The data come from a clever analysis …
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Old Tricks, New Wheat for Celiacs - Maria Rottersman
21:59
21:59
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21:59Summary In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Kevin Folta speaks with Maria Rodtersman, a Ph.D. candidate at UC Davis, about her research on developing wheat to reduce gluten content, specifically targeting immunogenic proteins that trigger celiac disease. They discuss the significance of wheat as a staple crop, the differences between ce…
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A Tribute to Dr. Franklin Stahl and His Elegant Experiment
17:38
17:38
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17:38The elucidation of DNA's structure led to questions about how it was replicated. Today's Talking Biotech Podcast commemorates the landmark experiments by Dr. Franklin Stahl, who died recently at the age of 95. The experiments have beed described as amont the most elegant in the history of biology, and used a simple test to determine the physical na…
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Social Media, Traditional Media, Ag Misinformation - Connie Diekman and Dr. Cami Ryan
43:39
43:39
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43:39In this episode of the Talking Biotech Podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the challenges of misinformation in food science with Dr. Cami Ryan and registered dietitian Connie Diekman. They explore the role of social media and traditional media in spreading misinformation, the difficulties scientists face in communicating effectively, and the importa…
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We Are Eating the Earth - Michael Grunwald
1:03:37
1:03:37
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1:03:37In 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 app…
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New Solutions for Anorexia Nervosa and Obesity - Dr. Roger Cone
32:32
32:32
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32:32In 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 c…
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Brainstorming to Defeat Antimicrobial Resistance - Dr. Anita Shukla
17:26
17:26
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17:26This 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 effor…
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A Grassroots Run for Ag Commissioner - Dr. Sarah Taber
35:31
35:31
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35:31In 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 …
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Where Did The Bird Flu Go? - Dr. Kevin Folta
37:04
37:04
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37:04In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta discusses the current state of avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, its history, zoonotic potential, and the implications for both poultry and human health. Into 2025 it was being detected in wild birds,domestic flocks, cattle and humans. Where did it go? He highlights the im…
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The Origin of Critical Maize Traits - Regina Fairbanks and Dr. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra
31:25
31:25
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31:25This 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 breedi…
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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…
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The Mexico GMO Corn Controversy - Luis Ventura
34:37
34:37
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34:37This conversation explores the complex relationship between corn and Mexico, focusing on its cultural, economic, and agricultural significance. The discussion highlights the moratorium on genetically engineered (GM; GMO) corn, the public perception of biotechnology, and the impact of environmental NGOs on policy decisions. The conversation also del…
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