This week we have a one-off episode for you on koji! Koji is a Japanese fermented ingredient with analogues in other East Asian cuisines -- basically it is a grain that has some mold growing on it. But oh, the fancy foods you can make with it! Soy sauce, miso, sake, and so many other delicious things! But how does koji get made? What is the deal with the mold? And what sorts of fun things could you make at home with this fuzzy stuff? References: https://www.seriouseats.com/obsessed-koji-rich-shih https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214799317302047 https://academic.oup.com/bbb/article/73/1/192/5947892?login=true https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/EC.05224-11 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0385638088901124 https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO199303041997127.page https://www.jmb.or.kr/submission/Journal/027/JMB027-02-06_FDOC_1.pdf https://academic.oup.com/dnaresearch/article/18/3/165/444512 https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/7/579/htm https://www.marukome.co.jp/global/en/foodculture/aboutkoji/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5541148/ https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201018860404789.page https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF03253183 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jib.264 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25467120/ https://www.fermentationculture.eu/what-koji-needs/ https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02691.x https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/dry-age-shortcut-koji 

Petri Dish

Ep. 127 Koji: A Fancy Fermenty Thing

Hi folks! Welcome to part 2 on Afforestation/Reforestation! Last time, we discussed the Chinese effort to plant a ton of trees, both to combat desertification and to capture carbon, with complex results in terms of water availability and climate across the whole of China. This time, we discuss the Great Green Wall of Africa, an effort to stem the growth of the Sahara (whether it is growing or not is actually a matter of some debate...). We'll also talk some about Sargassum! Hop on in! Use the code POD at stamps.com to get big discounts this holiday season! References: https://earth.org/the-great-green-wall-legacy/ https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2019/09/18/great-green-wall-sahara-desertification/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61085-0 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/great-green-wall-stop-desertification-not-so-much-180960171/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/farmers-in-sahel-beat-back-drought-and-climate-change-with-trees/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837721004737 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11056-017-9623-3 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs/article/view/194136 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaw7912 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-22837-2 

Ep. 126 Afforestation Pt 2: The Great Green Wall

Hey everyone! On this week's episode of Petri Dish, Sean and Nathan start their two-part conversation on Afforestation and Reforestation! There's a lot of talk about how trees can help save the planet from climate change and make all kinds of fun biomes for critters, replenish aquifers, prevent desertification, and so on. But is it as simple as just planting a ton of trees? Tune in to find out about all the sciencey details! References: https://www.environmentbuddy.com/plants-and-trees/what-is-afforestation-importance-advantages-disadvantages/ https://www.pnas.org/content/118/33/e2026241118 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.14875 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfr3.12482 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022169495028250 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19578-z https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo1223 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.14887 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721026139 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7090374/ https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms6612 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534719302526 https://ourworldindata.org/afforestation https://theconversation.com/planting-trees-must-be-done-with-care-it-can-create-more-problems-than-it-addresses-128259 https://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/afforestation-increases-water-supply-but-only-with-these-considerations/ https://www.pnas.org/content/111/8/2915.short https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837718302102 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-21362-5 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aar4182 

Ep. 125 Afforestation Pt 1: Build a Forest Back Better

On this, our last episode of our series on beer, we discuss the history of beer then talk about some of the cool ways synthetic biology and genetic engineering are being used to make the beer of the future! References: https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/17/4/499/1127626 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0062700 http://www.doc-developpement-durable.org/file/Fabrications-Objets-Outils-Produits/bieres/HistoryOfBeerBrewery.pdf https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006.01982.x https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01690/full https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00253-018-9517-0 https://academic.oup.com/jimb/article/45/12/1103/6015547?login=true https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03293-x 

Ep. 124 Beer Pt 3: The Beer of Future Past

Last week we discussed how to make a beer. This week we use that knowledge to discuss the differences between different kinds of beers, from delicious stouts to stanky sours! Next week we'll talk about the past and future of beer, including genetic modification! References: https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-01/beersci-what-difference-between-lager-and-ale/ https://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-beers-in-the-world-2018-9 https://academic.oup.com/dnaresearch/article/23/1/67/2462472 https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-12/beersci-how-beer-gets-its-color/ https://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/analysis-what-makes-sour-beer-taste-sour https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740002017302952 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jib.569 https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/AEM.00566-20

Ep. 123 Beer Pt 2: So Many Wonderful Types

Beer! One of humanity's oldest companions! Why are there so many kinds? How do we go about making beer? What is science doing to advance beer into the future? This is a three-parter on beer, with the first week focusing on the steps involved in beermaking, along with the science behind them! Next week we'll cover the different kinds of beer, followed by an episode on the future of beer! References: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/zymurgy/zymurgy-extra-2-row-vs-6-row-barley/ https://pediaa.com/difference-between-alpha-and-beta-amylase/ https://beerandbrewing.com/the-heart-of-darkness-exploring-dark-malts/ http://www.beer-brewing.com/beer_brewing/beer_brewing_yeast/ale_yeast.htm https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/2/4/34/htm https://grainfather.com/beer-fermentation-process/ https://www.keystonehomebrew.com/secondary-fermentation-pros-cons/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123738912000365

Ep. 122 Beer Pt 1: How to Make a Brew

On this episode of Petri Dish, we have two updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic! First, the FDA has approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine on children ages 5 and up! Second, there is a new promising small molecule drug coming out of clinical trials that seems to reduce severe COVID by 50% in high-risk patients AND it can be taken orally! Find out about the science behind these two topics this week on Petri Dish! References: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.056135 https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-positive-topline-results https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/myocarditis.html https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myocarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352539 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41594-021-00651-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02783-1 https://www.merck.com/news/merck-and-ridgebacks-investigational-oral-antiviral-molnupiravir-reduced-the-risk-of-hospitalization-or-death-by-approximately-50-percent-compared-to-placebo-for-patients-with-mild-or-moderat/

Ep. 121 CoronaUpdate: Maybe Another Treatment

It's the spooky season once again and this year on Petri Dish we explore the science and history of mummies! While ancient Egyptian mummies certainly have captivated the world, they aren't even close to the only culture that purposefully mummified the dead! Learn about other ancient mummies, and some much more modern ones as well, this week on Petri Dish! Warning! This episode mentions human remains and some stuff that is truly macabre -- that definitely is also true for the references! References: https://www.oldest.org/culture/mummies/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/mummy-photography-ulla-lohmann https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931544/ https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dr-gottfried-knoche-and-his-mummies

Ep. 120 Halloween: Macabre Mummies

In our final episode in our series on HIV/AIDS, we discuss the cutting edge treatments and vaccines that are currently being tested! One of the treatments discussed even aims to be about as close to a 'cure' as is possible for HIV infection -- learn how they plan to do it! References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4287108/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/health/aids-cure-london-patient.html https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/31/first-efficacy-trial-of-johnson-johnsons-hiv-vaccine-fails/ https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05001373 https://www.hiv.gov/blog/niaid-and-partners-develop-antibody-based-products-hiv-prevention-and-treatment https://www.hiv.gov/blog/niaid-launches-first-clinical-trial-test-antibody-drug-combination-long-acting-hiv-treatment https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1817426 https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/excision-hiv-crispr-gene-editing-therapy-cleared-for-human-studies-by-fda 

Ep. 119 HIV/AIDS Pt 4: Bone Marrow and Genetic Engineering

Welcome to part 3 of our series on HIV/AIDS! In the previous two episodes we covered the history of HIV/AIDS and how HIV/AIDS works on the cellular level. In this episode we use that information to understand how our current arsenal of anti-retroviral drugs work! Next week we'll be discussing the treatments on the horizon that may help us reach an end of the HIV/AIDS global epidemic! Ad Sponsor Info: Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! References: https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-treatment-basics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463712/ https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/021356s011lbl.pdf https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/whats-difference-between-prep-and-pep-hiv-prevention https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis https://i-base.info/guides/starting/can-i-stop-art

Ep. 118 HIV/AIDS Pt 3: Current Treatments

This week on Petri Dish we dive deeper into HIV/AIDS pathophysiology -- how does HIV do what it does to your body? How does the virus target specific cells? What does it do once it gets into your cells? Definitely an important episode to listen to in order to prep for our next two episodes on current and future treatments! Ad Sponsor Info: Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! References: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/reducing-mother-to-child-risk/preventing-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543106/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5526341/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924471/ 

Ep. 117 HIV/AIDS Pt 2: Acute and Chronic

Recent news has led to a lot of excitement with relation to HIV/AIDS -- approval for clinical trials using a new vaccine and a new treatment/potential cure has led to a lot of buzz! But what is the current state of the HIV/AIDS global epidemic? When did HIV first evolve into being? What even is HIV? Ad Sponsor Info: Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! References: https://ourworldindata.org/hiv-aids https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/12222 http://perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org/content/1/1/a006841.full https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

Ep. 116 HIV/AIDS: The Present and the Past

This week we have a short episode, a Q&A on COVID vaccine booster shots based on the latest info from 09/17/2021! Who can currently get a COVID booster shot? What happened with the FDA recently relating to booster shots? What even is a booster shot? Find out this week! Ad Sponsor Info: Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box!

Ep. 115 COVID Vaccine Booster Shots!

It's part 2 of our collaboration with The Microbe Moment (a podcast from The Microbigals! https://www.microbigals.com/the-microbe-moment-science-podcast)! We return to our discussion of some of the more ridiculous Medieval treatments for diseases that we could find in our research! Listen in for some of the odder things humans have done to other humans to try to treat a disease! Ad Sponsor: Hello Fresh (Canada) Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box!

Ep. 114 Strange Medieval Treatments Feat. The Microbe Moment Pt. 2

In the first episode of our collaboration with The Microbe Moment (a podcast from The Microbigals! https://www.microbigals.com/the-microbe-moment-science-podcast), we discuss some of the more ridiculous Medieval treatments for diseases that we could find in our research! Listen in for some of the odder things humans have done to other humans to try to treat a disease! Ad Sponsor: Hello Fresh (Canada) Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box!

Ep. 113 Strange Medieval Treatments Feat. The Microbe Moment Pt. 1

Get wild and scientific with PETRI DISH, an irreverent podcast hosted by two brothers exploring the dank corners of biology

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