The Interactome

This episode of the Interactome features Sam, Sarah, and Natalie as they each tell a science story that resonates with them. Each member brings their own unique spin on what a science story is to them, as they discuss topics ranging from famous photos to clarinets. Join us for some thought provoking and entertaining discussion as we tell our stories, and be sure to share your science story with us on social media or in the comments after the episode!

0:00 - Intro
0:44 - Meeting this episode's members
3:00 - Sam's Story: Radithor
17:37 - Radium Girls
20:25 - Sarah's Story: Music
41:48 - Natalie's Story: Reading Books
1:01:27 - Sam's challenge to the audience
1:04:37 - Outro

Welcome back to another episode of the Interactome. In this episode, Joe, Lauren, Maia, and Pickle discuss the process of applying to grad school. We focus on grad school as it applies to the sciences, from a Master's degree to an MD PhD. If you have ever thought "is grad school right for me?" or have been curious about what it's like to be a grad student, this is the episode for you!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:49 - Meeting our new member: Pickle
5:15 - Lauren's start to her PhD program
7:38 - Maia's experience mid-way through her PhD program
21:29 - Joe's start to his MD PhD program
33:57 - Pickle's experience having completed his Master's degree
42:06 - Timeline & what to know before applying for grad school
53:40 - Is grad school for everyone?
1:02:12 - Advice for choosing a program
1:07:20 - Useful resources

Marine scientist Jess Veo joins Sarah, Maia and Sam to discuss fishing, conservation, and the seafood industry in New England. We talk about sustainability in the seafood industry, how marine mammals interact with fisheries, and how scientists can work together with people who work on fishing boats to keep animals like whales and seals safe. Join us to learn about lobster fishing, hear some anecdotes about clam bakes and fishing TV shows (and at least one Oscar-winning movie), and much, much more.

On this episode of The Interactome, meet Ronnie Abolafia-Rosenzweig, PhD, a scientist whose research helps predict fires! Join Natalie and Lauren as we talk about the western fire season, machine learning, Ronnie's predictions for the 2022 season, and more!

This month, join Sam, Sarah, Natalie, and Joe as we share stories and tips on research and sources. From PubMed and preprints to anecdotes of validating sources and Dairy Law, this episode is one you don't want to miss!

 

Got a research story to share or want to join the conversation? Visit us at interactomemedia.org and on our socials! We look forward to hearing from you.

What exactly are stem cells, and why are they special? And why are there ethical controversies behind them? Join Maia, Lauren, and Sarah as they discuss the science, medical applications, and bioethics of stem cells. 

 

Editor’s note

CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to cure the sickle cell anemia mutation is still in early clinical trials - there is no concrete news about long term effects the patients are experiencing. Other stem-cell based strategies (such as approaches to turn on fetal hemoglobin and HSC transplants from healthy donors) have been successful and alleviate patient symptoms!

If you are considering a regenerative medicine product and would like more information on how it is regulated, whether it is FDA approved, and more, we encourage you to email ocod@fda.hhs.gov or call 800-835-4709 for more information.

Join us and special guest Dr. Ramy Arnaout, MD, DPhil on a discussion of how he led his team to resolve a nationwide COVID swab shortage within three weeks through 3D printing and effective cooperation. Quite possibly the coolest episode we've ever done, it's a conversation with takeaways you don't want to miss!

 

Dr. Arnaout's reflection in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology

 

02:12 Introducing Dr. Arnaout

06:25 Swab crisis basics, team formation, influences from prior studies of cooperation

25:36 Team size and roles, effective utilization of resources, swab design and 3D printing

34:02 Luck, complex networks, Kevin Bacon

42:53 Replicability beyond crises, importance of institutional support, effective leadership

Welcome back to the Interactome, trivia-style! This month, our hosts take on a new challenge - with trivia questions outside their domain. Join us and play along. Can you beat us? Answer: Most likely. Which team will claim victory?

 

Disclaimer: At one point in the episode, we mention working with hazardous materials. Everyone mentioned is a trained professional working in a laboratory with proper accreditation. We do not condone the use of these materials outside these circumstances. In other words, please do not try this at home!

Welcome back to episode - or as we call them, node - 4 of the Interactome Podcast. This week, we’ll be discussing a lab technique you might have heard of by now: PCR. Join us as we talk about what PCR is, how it works, and the many different things PCR can be used for.

This episode, we discuss where scientific names come from. We’ll be discussing some of the wackiest names in the scientific community along with their origin stories!