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996 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 239 ratingsTalking 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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Episodes
Cassava 2, History, Domestication; Biotech Virus Resistance
October 24, 2015 13:32 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBTweet Biotech innovation in cassava is necessary to speeding genetic improvement of this food staple. Together with breeding efforts, the new resources derived define new crops that primarily serve the developing world. Yet the Western world knows so little about cassava. This episode of Talking Biotech is part two of the series on cassava genetic improvement. Dr. Barbara Schaal speaks about its genetic origins, migration and domestication. Dr. Nigel Taylor describes the extensiv...
Cassava 2, History, Domestication; Biotech Virus Resistance
October 24, 2015 13:32 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBBiotech innovation in cassava is necessary to speeding genetic improvement of this food staple. Together with breeding efforts, the new resources derived define new crops that primarily serve the developing world. Yet the Western world knows so little about cassava. This episode of Talking Biotech is part two of the series on cassava genetic improvement. Dr. Barbara Schaal speaks about its genetic origins, migration and domestication. Dr. Nigel Taylor describes the extensive work...
Solutions for Cassava – Biofortification and Characterizing Disease Vectors
October 17, 2015 19:39 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBCassava (Manihot esculentum) is a critical world food crop, the third most consumed staple outside of rice and maize. It is even more critical because it is a vigorous plant that grows well in challenging areas. The crop feeds close to 800,000 people worldwide, mostly in Africa, South America and Asia. Production is challenged by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Viral diseases move quickly through growing regions, vectored by whiteflies. The starchy tuber also lacks key ...
021 Solutions for Cassava – Biofortification and Characterizing Disease Vectors
October 17, 2015 19:39 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBTweet Cassava (Manihot esculentum) is a critical world food crop, the third most consumed staple outside of rice and maize. It is even more critical because it is a vigorous plant that grows well in challenging areas. The crop feeds close to 800,000 people worldwide, mostly in Africa, South America and Asia. Production is challenged by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Viral diseases move quickly through growing regions, vectored by whiteflies. The starchy tuber also lacks key n...
Solutions for Cassava – Biofortification and Characterizing Disease Vectors
October 17, 2015 19:39 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBTweet Cassava (Manihot esculentum) is a critical world food crop, the third most consumed staple outside of rice and maize. It is even more critical because it is a vigorous plant that grows well in challenging areas. The crop feeds close to 800,000 people worldwide, mostly in Africa, South America and Asia. Production is challenged by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Viral diseases move quickly through growing regions, vectored by whiteflies. The starchy tuber also lack...
An Experiment You can Do With Us; Sugar Beet Breeding and Biology
October 10, 2015 13:06 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBTweet This eThis episode of Talking Biotech invites you to be the investigator and data collector. The internet is littered with images that claim animals will not eat GMO corn, which is curious because 80% of it goes to animal feed. We have arranged to test that hypothesis through Biology Fortified. If you visit this URL you can make a donation and receive a kit that you can use to generate data for this effort. The podcast discusses the experiment and the acquisition of 2000 l...
020 An Experiment You can Do With Us; Sugar Beet Breeding and Biology
October 10, 2015 13:06 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBTweet This eThis episode of Talking Biotech invites you to be the investigator and data collector. The internet is littered with images that claim animals will not eat GMO corn, which is curious because 80% of it goes to animal feed. We have arranged to test that hypothesis through Biology Fortified. If you visit this URL you can make a donation and receive a kit that you can use to generate data for this effort. The podcast discusses the experiment and the acquisition of 2000 lbs of c...
An Experiment You can Do With Us; Sugar Beet Breeding and Biology
October 10, 2015 13:06 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBThis eThis episode of Talking Biotech invites you to be the investigator and data collector. The internet is littered with images that claim animals will not eat GMO corn, which is curious because 80% of it goes to animal feed. We have arranged to test that hypothesis through Biology Fortified. If you visit this URL you can make a donation and receive a kit that you can use to generate data for this effort. The podcast discusses the experiment and the acquisition of 2000 lbs of ...
The SciBabe Talks Toxins; Your Questions Answered
October 03, 2015 15:46 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBToday chemophobia rules supreme. From fast-food establishments to farming critics, everyone seems to be an expert, except the experts! Talking Biotech #19 features The SciBabe, Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe). She has experience in the chemical industries and a background in applied toxicology. This is a light-hearted discussion of “toxic”, what it means, and what we really need to worry about. In the second part, Kevin Folta answers your questions, covering Dr. Don Huber, IARC...
The SciBabe Talks Toxins; Your Questions Answered
October 03, 2015 15:46 - 1 hour - 55 MBTweet Today chemophobia rules supreme. From fast-food establishments to farming critics, everyone seems to be an expert, except the experts! Talking Biotech #19 features The SciBabe, Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe). She has experience in the chemical industries and a background in applied toxicology. This is a light-hearted discussion of “toxic”, what it means, and what we really need to worry about. In the second part, Kevin Folta answers your questions, covering Dr. Don Hube...
019 The SciBabe Talks Toxins; Your Questions Answered
October 03, 2015 15:46 - 1 hour - 55 MBTweet Today chemophobia rules supreme. From fast-food establishments to farming critics, everyone seems to be an expert, except the experts! Talking Biotech #19 features The SciBabe, Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe). She has experience in the chemical industries and a background in applied toxicology. This is a light-hearted discussion of “toxic”, what it means, and what we really need to worry about. In the second part, Kevin Folta answers your questions, covering Dr. Don Huber, IARC...
Insecticides, Herbicides, Organic and Conventional Ag
September 26, 2015 15:12 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBTweet The topic of “pesticides” is the new frontier in the opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Opponents of the technology blame new genetic improvement methods for perceived increases in chemical controls for plant, animal and fungal pests. However, scientists argue that our pest control strategies are increasingly focused, less toxic, and work better. This episode features an interview with Dr. Steve Savage. He is a life-long expert in chemical control of insects and wee...
Insecticides, Herbicides, Organic and Conventional Ag
September 26, 2015 15:12 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBThe topic of “pesticides” is the new frontier in the opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Opponents of the technology blame new genetic improvement methods for perceived increases in chemical controls for plant, animal and fungal pests. However, scientists argue that our pest control strategies are increasingly focused, less toxic, and work better. This episode features an interview with Dr. Steve Savage. He is a life-long expert in chemical control of insects and weeds, an...
018 Insecticides, Herbicides, Organic and Conventional Ag
September 26, 2015 15:12 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBTweet The topic of “pesticides” is the new frontier in the opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Opponents of the technology blame new genetic improvement methods for perceived increases in chemical controls for plant, animal and fungal pests. However, scientists argue that our pest control strategies are increasingly focused, less toxic, and work better. This episode features an interview with Dr. Steve Savage. He is a life-long expert in chemical control of insects and weeds, and...
Biotech, Ag and Insects; Promoting Art with Science; Barbara on the Bill
September 19, 2015 19:54 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBTweet This week we’re joined by Richard Levine, communications director for the Entomological Society of America. We discuss bees, butterflies, insecticides and some of the current issues in crop protection from an entomological perspective. We then turn to the idea of promoting artwork using a science podcast, and the important effort to get Dr. Barbara McClintock on the ten dollar bill, replacing some guy. We discuss the barriers to her participation in science, and describe why...
Biotech, Ag and Insects; Promoting Art with Science; Barbara on the Bill
September 19, 2015 19:54 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBThis week we’re joined by Richard Levine, communications director for the Entomological Society of America. We discuss bees, butterflies, insecticides and some of the current issues in crop protection from an entomological perspective. We then turn to the idea of promoting artwork using a science podcast, and the important effort to get Dr. Barbara McClintock on the ten dollar bill, replacing some guy. We discuss the barriers to her participation in science, and describe why she w...
017 – Biotech, Ag and Insects; Promoting Art with Science; Barbara on the Bill
September 19, 2015 19:54 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBTweet This week we’re joined by Richard Levine, communications director for the Entomological Society of America. We discuss bees, butterflies, insecticides and some of the current issues in crop protection from an entomological perspective. We then turn to the idea of promoting artwork using a science podcast, and the important effort to get Dr. Barbara McClintock on the ten dollar bill, replacing some guy. We discuss the barriers to her participation in science, and describe why she wo...
Biotechnology in Uganda; Reflections on a Public Discussion
September 12, 2015 16:37 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBThis week features two discussions with fellows serving in the Global Leadership Program of the Cornell Alliance for Science. The first part is a discussion with Nassib Mugwanya, Outreach Leader for the Ugandan Biosciences Information Center. He discusses the state of biotech solutions in Uganda, both in terms of critical needs and the current pipeline. The second part is a discussion about the public Ask Me Anything event that was held near the university where I served as a pan...
Biotechnology in Uganda; Reflections on a Public Discussion
September 12, 2015 16:37 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBTweet This week features two discussions with fellows serving in the Global Leadership Program of the Cornell Alliance for Science. The first part is a discussion with Nassib Mugwanya, Outreach Leader for the Ugandan Biosciences Information Center. He discusses the state of biotech solutions in Uganda, both in terms of critical needs and the current pipeline. The second part is a discussion about the public Ask Me Anything event that was held near the university where I served...
016 Biotechnology in Uganda; Reflections on a Public Discussion
September 12, 2015 16:37 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBTweet This week features two discussions with fellows serving in the Global Leadership Program of the Cornell Alliance for Science. The first part is a discussion with Nassib Mugwanya, Outreach Leader for the Ugandan Biosciences Information Center. He discusses the state of biotech solutions in Uganda, both in terms of critical needs and the current pipeline. The second part is a discussion about the public Ask Me Anything event that was held near the university where I served as a p...
Tomatoes! Innovative Breeding and a Biotech Solution
September 05, 2015 15:08 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBThis episode is an introduction to tomatoes, popular fruits that provide great variation to the eye and palate, as well as the foundation of many recipes. Surprisingly, tomatoes are fragile fruits and the plants can be difficult to grow. They are under constant attack from pests and pathogens, and new varieties must deliver profits for growers and beautiful, flavorful fruits for industry and the consumer. Tomato improvement is happening in several ways. Dr. Sam Hutton is an Assist...
Tomatoes! Innovative Breeding and a Biotech Solution
September 05, 2015 15:08 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBTweet This episode is an introduction to tomatoes, popular fruits that provide great variation to the eye and palate, as well as the foundation of many recipes. Surprisingly, tomatoes are fragile fruits and the plants can be difficult to grow. They are under constant attack from pests and pathogens, and new varieties must deliver profits for growers and beautiful, flavorful fruits for industry and the consumer. Tomato improvement is happening in several ways. Dr. Sam Hutton is an ...
015 Tomatoes! Innovative Breeding and a Biotech Solution
September 05, 2015 15:08 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBTweet This episode is an introduction to tomatoes, popular fruits that provide great variation to the eye and palate, as well as the foundation of many recipes. Surprisingly, tomatoes are fragile fruits and the plants can be difficult to grow. They are under constant attack from pests and pathogens, and new varieties must deliver profits for growers and beautiful, flavorful fruits for industry and the consumer. Tomato improvement is happening in several ways. Dr. Sam Hutton is an Assista...
014 — Biotech Solution to Citrus Greening Disease; Your Questions Answered
August 29, 2015 17:51 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBTweet This week’s Talking Biotech features discussion of Huanglongbing (HLB) also known as Citrus Greening Disease. The disease is devastating Florida citrus, and is causing a massive hardship on the State’s iconic industries. We are joined by Ricke Kress from Southern Gardens Citrus, one of the largest producers and processors. Southern Gardens has experienced massive losses from citrus greening, losing over 800,000 trees. They are now in the process of deregulating the first genet...
Biotech Solution to Citrus Greening Disease; Your Questions Answered
August 29, 2015 17:51 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBThis week’s Talking Biotech features discussion of Huanglongbing (HLB) also known as Citrus Greening Disease. The disease is devastating Florida citrus, and is causing a massive hardship on the State’s iconic industries. We are joined by Ricke Kress from Southern Gardens Citrus, one of the largest producers and processors. Southern Gardens has experienced massive losses from citrus greening, losing over 800,000 trees. They are now in the process of deregulating the first genetic...
Biotech Solution to Citrus Greening Disease; Your Questions Answered
August 29, 2015 17:51 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBTweet This week’s Talking Biotech features discussion of Huanglongbing (HLB) also known as Citrus Greening Disease. The disease is devastating Florida citrus, and is causing a massive hardship on the State’s iconic industries. We are joined by Ricke Kress from Southern Gardens Citrus, one of the largest producers and processors. Southern Gardens has experienced massive losses from citrus greening, losing over 800,000 trees. They are now in the process of deregulating the firs...
Kevin Folta — Monsanto Outreach Support, FOIA, Transparency
August 23, 2015 20:26 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBThis week I had to address the elephant in the room. What’s up with the recent flack about Monsanto funding a science communication outreach program? What is happening with FOIA? What is the future of the Talking Biotech science communication program? Yes, I actually went on a vacation-vacation, first time since April 2002. And it was in a place with no cell signal or internet access. # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’...
Kevin Folta — Monsanto Outreach Support, FOIA, Transparency
August 23, 2015 20:26 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBTweet This week I had to address the elephant in the room. What’s up with the recent flack about Monsanto funding a science communication outreach program? What is happening with FOIA? What is the future of the Talking Biotech science communication program? Yes, I actually went on a vacation-vacation, first time since April 2002. And it was in a place with no cell signal or internet access. Like the podcast? Please subscribe and review! Stitcher iTunes Player FM ...
013 — Kevin Folta — Monsanto Outreach Support, FOIA, Transparency
August 23, 2015 20:26 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBTweet This week I had to address the elephant in the room. What’s up with the recent flack about Monsanto funding a science communication outreach program? What is happening with FOIA? What is the future of the Talking Biotech science communication program? Yes, I actually went on a vacation-vacation, first time since April 2002. And it was in a place with no cell signal or internet access. Like the podcast? Please subscribe and review! Stitcher iTunes Player FM
Genetically Modified Mosquito Control – Careers in Plant Breeding
August 15, 2015 19:38 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBTweet This week’s podcast discusses Kevin Folta’s public records situation for 60 seconds. That is followed by a talk with Dr. Andrew McKemey from Oxitec in Oxford, England. Oxitec has a technology that allows rearing of male mosquitoes that transmit a gene that disrupts offspring from developing. This technology has been show to work field situations, providing potential solutions to mosquito-borne disease. Dr. McKemey describes the technology and addresses ecological concerns....
012 Genetically Modified Mosquito Control – Careers in Plant Breeding
August 15, 2015 19:38 - 1 hour - 72.4 MBTweet This week’s podcast discusses Kevin Folta’s public records situation for 60 seconds. That is followed by a talk with Dr. Andrew McKemey from Oxitec in Oxford, England. Oxitec has a technology that allows rearing of male mosquitoes that transmit a gene that disrupts offspring from developing. This technology has been show to work field situations, providing potential solutions to mosquito-borne disease. Dr. McKemey describes the technology and addresses ecological concerns. In th...
Genetically Modified Mosquito Control – Careers in Plant Breeding
August 15, 2015 19:38 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBThis week’s podcast discusses Kevin Folta’s public records situation for 60 seconds. That is followed by a talk with Dr. Andrew McKemey from Oxitec in Oxford, England. Oxitec has a technology that allows rearing of male mosquitoes that transmit a gene that disrupts offspring from developing. This technology has been show to work field situations, providing potential solutions to mosquito-borne disease. Dr. McKemey describes the technology and addresses ecological concerns. In t...
011 Success or Failure? Good Study Called Bad, Bad Study Called Gold.
August 01, 2015 20:05 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBTweet This week’s podcast is an important analysis of two published reports. First, the results from the famous Rothamstead wheat trial show that their transgene does not confer resistance to aphids, inconsistent with their laboratory findings. While this outcome was considered to be a successful, reliable answer, it was billed as an abject failure on anti-biotech activist websites. Today we revisit the issues of publication and peer-review, and the story of the threats of vandalism again...
Success or Failure? Good Study Called Bad, Bad Study Called Gold.
August 01, 2015 20:05 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBThis week’s podcast is an important analysis of two published reports. First, the results from the famous Rothamstead wheat trial show that their transgene does not confer resistance to aphids, inconsistent with their laboratory findings. While this outcome was considered to be a successful, reliable answer, it was billed as an abject failure on anti-biotech activist websites. Today we revisit the issues of publication and peer-review, and the story of the threats of vandalism agai...
Success or Failure? Good Study Called Bad, Bad Study Called Gold.
August 01, 2015 20:05 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBTweet This week’s podcast is an important analysis of two published reports. First, the results from the famous Rothamstead wheat trial show that their transgene does not confer resistance to aphids, inconsistent with their laboratory findings. While this outcome was considered to be a successful, reliable answer, it was billed as an abject failure on anti-biotech activist websites. Today we revisit the issues of publication and peer-review, and the story of the threats of vandalis...
010 Saving the American Chestnut; Lettuce History and Modern Improvement
July 25, 2015 11:34 - 1 hour - 55 MBTweet This Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. William Powell from SUNY, where he is co-Director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. The American Chestnut was a dominant forest tree in Appalachia until the late 1800’s when it was destroyed by disease. Dr. Powell’s project has used a transgenic approach to confer resistance to the disease, with the goal of repatriating the forest with this dominant tree species. Dr. Richard Michelmore from UC-Davis talks about lett...
Saving the American Chestnut; Lettuce History and Modern Improvement
July 25, 2015 11:34 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBThis Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. William Powell from SUNY, where he is co-Director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. The American Chestnut was a dominant forest tree in Appalachia until the late 1800’s when it was destroyed by disease. Dr. Powell’s project has used a transgenic approach to confer resistance to the disease, with the goal of repatriating the forest with this dominant tree species. Dr. Richard Michelmore from UC-Davis talks about let...
Saving the American Chestnut; Lettuce History and Modern Improvement
July 25, 2015 11:34 - 1 hour - 55 MBTweet This Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. William Powell from SUNY, where he is co-Director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project. The American Chestnut was a dominant forest tree in Appalachia until the late 1800’s when it was destroyed by disease. Dr. Powell’s project has used a transgenic approach to confer resistance to the disease, with the goal of repatriating the forest with this dominant tree species. Dr. Richard Michelmore from UC-Davis talks abo...
009 Don’t Let Dr. Oz Tell YOUR Story– Teaching the Public about Farming
July 21, 2015 11:11 - 46 minutes - 43 MBTweet Ag professionals know their businesses and on-farm practices better than anyone. However, they don’t tend to share their story in public space, allowing others (including unscrupulous hucksters and activists) to warp their reality. How do we get the real experts excited about communicating about new technology, and how it is used on the farm? New innovations in crops and animals stand to improve productivity and quality of farm products, with benefits to farmers, the consumer and t...
Don’t Let Dr. Oz Tell YOUR Story– Teaching the Public about Farming
July 21, 2015 11:11 - 46 minutes - 43 MBTweet Ag professionals know their businesses and on-farm practices better than anyone. However, they don’t tend to share their story in public space, allowing others (including unscrupulous hucksters and activists) to warp their reality. How do we get the real experts excited about communicating about new technology, and how it is used on the farm? New innovations in crops and animals stand to improve productivity and quality of farm products, with benefits to farmers, the consume...
Don’t Let Dr. Oz Tell YOUR Story– Teaching the Public about Farming
July 21, 2015 11:11 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBAg professionals know their businesses and on-farm practices better than anyone. However, they don’t tend to share their story in public space, allowing others (including unscrupulous hucksters and activists) to warp their reality. How do we get the real experts excited about communicating about new technology, and how it is used on the farm? New innovations in crops and animals stand to improve productivity and quality of farm products, with benefits to farmers, the consumer and ...
Sustainable Salmon; All ‘Bout Bananas
July 17, 2015 13:25 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBSalmon is an outstanding food for protein, and undeniably great table fare. The AquaBounty company has produced the AquaAdvantage salmon, a fish that grows to production size in less time. This means the same amount of healthy fish using less food, labor, water, and other limited resources. Dave Conley speaks about the salmon, how the trait works, it’s deregulation, and addresses questions about safety and containment. The second part of the podcast visits with Professor Pat Heslop...
008 Sustainable Salmon; All ‘Bout Bananas
July 17, 2015 13:25 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBTweet Salmon is an outstanding food for protein, and undeniably great table fare. The AquaBounty company has produced the AquaAdvantage salmon, a fish that grows to production size in less time. This means the same amount of healthy fish using less food, labor, water, and other limited resources. Dave Conley speaks about the salmon, how the trait works, it’s deregulation, and addresses questions about safety and containment. The second part of the podcast visits with Professor Pat Heslop-...
Sustainable Salmon; All ‘Bout Bananas
July 17, 2015 13:25 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBTweet Salmon is an outstanding food for protein, and undeniably great table fare. The AquaBounty company has produced the AquaAdvantage salmon, a fish that grows to production size in less time. This means the same amount of healthy fish using less food, labor, water, and other limited resources. Dave Conley speaks about the salmon, how the trait works, it’s deregulation, and addresses questions about safety and containment. The second part of the podcast visits with Professor Pat ...
007 Stopping Avian Flu Spread; Potato Origins
July 11, 2015 18:13 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBTweet This episode of Talking Biotech features stories of genetically engineered chickens that do not spread the avian influenza virus. This year over 45 million birds have died or have been euthanized because of illness from the avian flu. Prof. Helen Sang of the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland is part of the research team that engineered chickens using a clever strategy– they can catch the virus and become ill, but they do not transmit it. She discusses the technology and its hur...
Stopping Avian Flu Spread; Potato Origins
July 11, 2015 18:13 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBThis episode of Talking Biotech features stories of genetically engineered chickens that do not spread the avian influenza virus. This year over 45 million birds have died or have been euthanized because of illness from the avian flu. Prof. Helen Sang of the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland is part of the research team that engineered chickens using a clever strategy– they can catch the virus and become ill, but they do not transmit it. She discusses the technology and its hu...