  VIDEO WITH VISUAL AIDS ON YOUTUBE!!   How did you get so put together?  DNA is the blueprint, but it doesn't determine everything.  DNA gets turned into RNA, and then finally into proteins that help build your body and brain.  But there are SO many steps in that process that affect the final product- you.   The sum of these steps is a process called genetic regulation.  Genetic regulation makes sure that not all of our genes are expressed and turned into protein at the same time and same place- that would be a mess! This episode is all about genetic regulation by long, non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, pronounced "link-R N A").  LncRNAs are long segments of RNA that serve non-traditional functions in the genome.  Although recently discovered, lncRNAs seem to be involved in everything from the genetic regulation of development to diseases like cancer.  LncRNAs could help rewrite the field of genetic regulation, and might be the biggest shift to understanding genetics since epigenetics became a hot topic. https://www.straightfromascientist.com/rachel-cherney/ Rachel is also highly involved in other forms of science communication!  Check out the Pipettepen and UNC SWAC for more info!  If you're at UNC, make sure to check TIBBS for career training and opportunities.    Specific visual references and their approximate timestamps are listed below.  Make sure to watch the Youtube Video for the full experience! 5:00: DNA vs RNA vs Protein - (image in video) 7:30: Alternative splicing - (image in video) 9:00: Jimena giudice lab at UNC  - http://giudicelab.web.unc.edu/ (Alternative splicing and intracellular trafficking in development and diseases) 9:30: It's estimated that >90% of proteins undergo alternative splicing 13:30: protein coding gene structure (image in video) 15:30: Additional note:  smaller ncRNAs have more defined structure than lncRNAs, their functions are better known 17:33: dosage compensation - calico cats (image in video) 20:50: An example of a motif that proteins recognize (http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=31097619, figure 3 ) 21:00: xist repeat structure (https://www.mdpi.com/2311-553X/4/4/28/htm, figure 2, human vs mouse xist) 23:00:in cis lncRNA function (https://dev.biologists.org/content/143/21/3882, figure 2 b and c) 25:05: Markers are placed on histones, rather than DNA. Histones are proteins that DNA wraps around to compact dna into cells (image in video) 25:30: A note: polycomb complexes are conserved to plants and even fungi.  lncRNAs can be found in plants* 28:15: immunoprecipitation pipeline (image in video) 31:30 -33:35: Examples of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (image in video) 35:00: Enhancer rnas (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1672022917300761 figure 1 38:30: single line RNA vs double line DNA, 3DRNA structure (image in video) 41:00: xist vs rsx  (http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=31097619, figure 6b ) 42:30: SWAC /pipettepen,com - link to swac article that prompted this podcast -http://www.thepipettepen.com/what-determines-our-complexity/ 44:30: TIBBS -https://tibbs.unc.edu/ 

Straight from a Scientist Medical Research Education and Discussion Podcast

Ep56- Unlocking Genetic Regulation

Marijuana and other cannabis products are becoming increasingly available across the country, and while compounds like CBD have been shown to be safe and even helpful in adults, the side effects of cannabis products are relatively unknown when it comes to the developing fetus. We've known that alcohol causes birth defects for over 40 years, causing a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the greater spectrum of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).   But alcohol isn't the only commonly used substance to cause birth defects.   Dr. Parnell's lab and others shows that CBD and THC, the two most well-studied compounds in marijuana can also be harmful to the developing brain.  His research points to a possible fetal cannabis syndrome that could have very similar effects to alcohol.  It seems that both alcohol and mariujana could hit the developing brain at the same stage- but listen in for the details!   Neurulation in embryonic development[/caption] Here's the main publication we discussed. UNC broke this story late last year here.

Ep55- Fetal Vulnerability to Cannabis and Alcohol

 This week's episode is about the big things in life- specifically, supermassive black holes in dwarf galaxies!  Connor Wander sits down with Mugdha Polimera from UNC to talk about her work studying supermassive black holes and how their frequency in dwarf (smaller) galaxies can teach us about the formation of the universe.  She quite literally looks back in time! Mugdha explains how she studies such huge elements so far away, what her studies could mean for our understanding of the universe,  reviews her journey to be an astrophysicist, comments on some popular science myths, and more!  Her research could hold the secrets to how our own galaxy, the milky way, formed eons ago. https://www.straightfromascientist.com/mugdha-polimera-unc Here's a great reference for scale, so you can see just how big some of these things are! Supermassive black hole to scale with giant stars[/caption] https://neal.fun/size-of-space/   Questions about supermassive black holes or dwarf galaxies?  Visit Mugdha's bio to ask about them!          

E54- Supermassive Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies

This episode is all about bad bugs.  Specifically, a flesh-eating bacteria strain called Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus).  S. aureus is a very common bacteria that's best known for becoming resistant to antibiotics, and becoming MRSA.  Bacteria and the immune system are always at war with each other.  Antibiotics can give the body the edge in this battle, but common resistance is making this much harder in hospitals and homes across the world.  Bacteria survive these antibiotics and the immune system is left to clean up the mess.  Currently, S. aureus is a major cause of death for bacterial infections. To make things worse, S. aureus and other bacteria can survive more than just antibiotics:  Jenna Beam and the Conlon Lab study how bacteria escape and survive the immune system, and what we can do to stop bacteria in general.  All that and more on this episode!  Make sure to check out the full video on our new Youtube Channel!  Jenna and the Conlon Lab just published a paper on this very topic!       You can hear more about bacterial resistance mechanisms in general from a recent episode Dr. Brian Conlon did with Curioscity- check it out here.    

Ep 53 - How Bacteria Survive the Immune System

   This weeks episode combines several topics you may have heard of, but never thought about in the same context!  Diabetes and epigenetics are two well-researched topics, but not in the context of fetal development.  During pregnancy, the placenta is the highway that connects a mother and fetus, so when epigenetics act on the placenta, they could have huge effects on development of the fetus and/or the mother.   We break it down straight from a scientist in this episode with Laetitia Myeyruix from UNC's School of Global Public Health, in the Department of Nutrition.  I learned a LOT from this episode, and I'm sure you will too!  Laetitia makes it really easy to understand everything, you don't even need me there! This is another VIDEO episode!  Check it out on Youtube, and please subscribe to our new channel! Laetitia is studying the effect of diabetes on epigenetics- the gene access regulators that can ultimately determine which genes go on to be expressed and affect the body.   Laetitia is working with scientists and clinicians in South Africa to determine how diabetes risk in pregnant mothers affects the placenta. Additionally, we talked about Nutribites, the blog Laetitia edits for-- go check it out for some sweet nutrition advice from the experts! Also mentioned in the podcast: Exit West, the book Laetitia mentioned she was reading and highly recommended! Astrobites  Oncobites  And all the other bites blogs! Joe's Big Idea The Atlantic Student Subscription The Economist Student Subscription  

Ep 52 - Diabetes and Placental Epigenetics

 Join Lebaron (Lee) Agostini and Connor Wander in our FIRST VIDEO episode! This episode is all about Cancer Biology. Lee studies experimental cancer therapies for pancreatic cancer. New cancer therapies called combination or synergystic cancer therapies use multiple drug types to shut down, corner, and eliminate cancer cells in the body. The full video version of this episode is available on Nov 5th at 7PM EST ! Head on over to our YouTube Channel and check it out there! Also streaming (audio only) on all the usual platforms. Further information Here's a recent paper from Lee and his lab at Jefferson University: https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2019/07/04/0008-5472.CAN-18-3645 Any other questions for Lee? Ask him on Instagram or LinkedIn   

Ep. 51 – New Cancer Therapies & Targeting Cancer Biology

What is Alzheimer's disease? Who can get Alzheimer's, and how does the disease progress?  Maya Gostyla and Connor Wander break down the state of Alzheimer's disease treatments, risk factors, and potential breakthroughs in the field.   Related Episodes If you like this episode, we have tons of podcasts on Alzheimer's disease! You can hear more about Maya and her research story in this episode.   Further Reading about Alzheimer's disease Here's a great review from the experts on where Alzheimer's research and therapies are today. For more in-depth analysis of developments in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, check out Alzforum.org for Alzheimer’s disease background reading. Read about and see images of protein maps in the human brain that help identify markers of brain disease.    Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein. 

Ep.50 - Alzheimer's disease FAQ

 This week's episode is with the host of The Blunt Report podcast: Konner Blunt.  Connor and Konner talked about ALzheimer's disease, the experience of podcasting, science communication, and Jiu Jitsu among other things.    Check out The Blunt Report here: http://www.thebluntreport.com/   More about Alzheimer's disease: https://www.straightfromascientist.com/alzheimers-disease/    

Ep. 49 - Alzheimer's disease overview with Konner Blunt

 Tayler is a PhD candidate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Her research focuses on the pharmacology and toxicology of supposed ‘fertility-boosting’ herbal supplements on sperm cells, using flow cytometry to elucidate their effects at a cellular level. She is also a science communicator in her spare time, and posts regular pharmacology-based series online. You can find her on Instagram at @taylercatherine Link to a good general review on oxidative stress: https://www.nature.com/articles/35041687 Link to a review of herbal medicine safety issues: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2017/206/2/what-risks-do-herbal-products-pose-australian-community 

Ep. 48- Are Herbal Supplements Effective? Using Modern Science to Investigate Ancient Medicines with Tayler Catherine

Sean Jackewicz is a research student at the University of Georgia who is studying for his degree in Genetics, with the goal of being a medical doctor. Sean's research in the lab has focused on cancer development and cancer therapies, while his work outside of the lab focuses on the role of genomics in people's lives. Sean is currently leading the development of a clinical genotyping tool that he hopes will give health practitioners the ability to personalize treatment plans for patients like never before. Sean is also passionate about communicating the upcoming change genetic technology will cause throughout all areas of life. The best way to talk with Sean and follow his journey through healthcare is through his Instagram: @chemical_reacsean

Ep. 47- Genetic Big data for Personalized Medicine with Sean Jackewicz

 Alzheimer's disease is a terrifying neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired memory, cognitive deficits, and neuronal loss. With few treatments and no cure after decades of research, scientists are starting to think outside the box for better ways to ward off Alzheimer's disease. In this episode, we discuss the links between mental health and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, and how common strategies for better mental health have great promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. In general, the best protective strategies for Alzheimer's disease are things that improve mental health, such as trying new things and staying active. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Harry Steinbusch from Maastricht University. Dr. Steinbusch has a wide array of research interests centered mostly around how everyday activities might help protect against neurodegenerative disorders, and how genetic modifications like epigenetics are important in disorders like Alzheimer's disease. We also talk about how Dr. Steinbusch runs his lab from all over the world, and his founding of the AD Fast Track conference     Some actionable tips for better mental health: Use it or lose it - an active brain is a healthy brain! Learning new things and traveling to new places stimulates adult neurogenesis, the birth and development of new neurons in the brain Exercise, particularly group exercise, was found to be most beneficial Learning more than one language is also linked to better mental health Citations and further reading: Andrew Crowther, soon to be PhD from the Song Lab talks with Connor Wander about his research- serotonin and adult neurogenesis. Epigenetic changes in Alzheimer's disease neurons Some other great places to start for exercise induced neurogenesis. This episode marks the final part of the AD Fast Track series. Check out all previous episodes, and stay tuned for more some summary episodes on Alzheimer's disease. 

Ep. 46- Stimulate Your Brain for Better Mental Health

 Genome-wide association studies, or GWAS, are very helpful in telling researchers where to focus their attention. They point out genetic linkers that have the potential to be used as medicines or diagnostics. GWAS identify genes or clusters of genes associated with greater risk for diseases and disorders. But GWAS aren't a silver bullet... Dr. Liz Tunbridge studies genetic risk factors for various psychiatric disorders. She has noted that while GWAS are very useful, they have many limitations, and the interpretations of such studies can be very complicated. Listen in to learn more about the challenges of turning this statistical information into something tangible and the complex therapeutic impacts of gene families.   About Dr. Tunbridge Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Tunbridge is an Associate Professor at Oxford University. Her research focuses on how individual genetic variants change brain function in psychiatric disorders, with the hope that understanding this can lead to better treatments for patients. Dr. Tunbridge is very active on Twitter! Check out her TED Talk titled "Would there be mental illness in a utopia?" Dr. Tunbridge is also a writer for The Conversation. Learn more about her research here.   More Information This episode features was recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein. 

Ep. 45: Applications and Limitations of GWAS with Dr. Liz Tunbridge

 Women are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as men. However, this is NOT because they live longer. When we look into the aging brain, males and females experience different timelines. The molecular underpinnings of these sex differences could make a huge impact on our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton is spearheading research into sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. She works to discover how to protect the aging female brain from these increased risk factors. This episode features another throwback recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer's Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.   About Dr. Brinton Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton leads the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona that studies diseases of aging, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and ALS. Dr. Brinton is an internationally recognized expert in the systems biology of Alzheimer’s disease. She is developing the first regenerative therapeutic to regenerate the degenerated brain. Her analysis focuses on the brain at greatest risk for Alzheimer’s: the aging female brain. Her findings show that the sex difference in Alzheimer’s disease is not because women live longer than men, as commonly thought, but rather because the disease starts earlier in the female brain. Her insights into these key transition states of the aging brain provide therapeutic opportunities to prevent, delay, and treat neurodegenerative disease.   More Information Read more about Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton's research and scholarship. Learn more on the Brinton Lab Website. The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness. Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer's disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures. New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment. Yet we aren't putting all our eggs in one basket. This series explores Alzheimer's disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer's disease.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein. 

Ep. 44: Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease with Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton and Connor Wander

 This week's episode features another throwback recorded in San Diego, CA, where Connor Wander attended the BrightFocus Alzheimer's Disease Fast Track conference, followed by the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. We talked with Dr. Elizabeth Head, who studies the link between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease with the hopes of improving lives for both patient classes. Listen to hear about this super interesting and very promising work!   About Dr. Elizabeth Head Dr. Elizabeth Head has recently moved from the University of Kentucky to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and joined the UCI MIND institute. Dr. Head has published over 150 peer reviewed papers, over 30 review papers and book chapters and serves as a grant reviewer for the National Institutes on Health. Dr. Head has dedicated over 20 years to the study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease with a focus on people with Down Syndrome. Catch Dr. Head's livestream where she answers the question: "Are there any promising vaccines for Alzheimer's" on May 3rd, 2019.   More Information Learn more about The International Brain Bank for Down Syndrome-Related Alzheimer's disease mentioned in the podcast. Also watch a presentation by Dr. Head on how to improve quality of life in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.   The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a well-known conference, drawing 28 thousand people annually. In contrast, AD Fast Track is a much smaller conference put on by BrightFocus, a foundation built to support AD and glaucoma research and awareness. Many of the speakers at the event were directly supported by BrightFocus (Lamb, Brinton, Head, Grinberg). Alzheimer's disease research is reinventing itself in the wake of past failures. New understandings of disease complexity, paired with recent advances in technology and a renewed surge in funding for research fuels new hope for a cure or treatment. Yet we aren't putting all our eggs in one basket. This series explores Alzheimer's disease research and the variety of research strategies with the common goal of curing Alzheimer's disease.   Listen to our Alzheimer's Fast Track Series Ep. 39: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Part I with Drs. Diane Bovenkamp, Frank LaFerla, and Bruce Lamb Ep. 41: Alzheimer’s Disease Research roundtable with Drs. Cynthia Lemere, Charles Glabe, and Lea T. Grinberg   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein. 

Ep. 43: Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease with Dr. Elizabeth Head and Connor Wander

 This episode is all about neuronal apoptosis.  In Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh's eyes, some cells are willing to undergo apoptosis, while others are very cautious.  Understanding these differences could be the key to understanding, treating, or curing diseases that haunt us in modern times.  Research in Dr. Deshmukh’s lab at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, focuses on pathways for neuronal apoptosis and the ways that survival and death work in different cells. Apoptosis is programmed cell death.  In apoptosis, cells commit "suicide" quietly to minimize inflammation and damage to their neighbors.  Apoptosis is a normal and vital process which helps protect us from cancer and other disease states.  However, it becomes a problem in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.  When it comes to apoptosis, neurons are special.  Neuronal apoptosis seems to be distinct from other cell types. Listen in to hear how neurons resist triggers that would kill other cells.  Also learn about the difference between apoptosis and necrosis, as well as how that understanding has changed over time.  We discuss the importance of synaptic pruning.  Finally, we speculate some on the possible presence and effect of bacteria in the brain. About Dr. Deshmukh Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh is a Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Visit the Deshmukh Lab website to learn more about current research. Also follow the Deshmukh Lab on Instagram. More Information To get a background of apoptosis in other cells, check out Episode 23: The Role of Apoptosis with Georgia Smith.  She tells us about apoptosis in the context of influenza.   Any other questions?  Let us know!  We appreciate your feedback. You can now support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.  Many thanks to our past and present supporters!  Thanks to Plant Warrior for their support.  Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein. 

Ep. 42: Neuronal Apoptosis- The Cautious and the Willing with Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh and Connor Wander

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Straight from a Scientist Medical Research Education and Dis...

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