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From healthcare and biotechnology to forests and fisheries, the evolving study of genomics is leading to some of the most exciting and world-changing discoveries in science and medicine. Like – did you know that your individual genomic signature can help determine the healthcare treatment you receive? Or that mapping the genomes of trees can inform forest management? But while the study of genomics holds great promise for the health of people, animals, and the environment, it also confronts us with big questions: How do we study genetic patterns in a way that respects sensitive genetic information, history, and equity? How do we use the power of genomic research to fight climate change? Save the salmon? Join Dr. Kaylee Byers – a self-described “rat detective” and science communicator as she guides you through fascinating conversations about the what, the why, and the how of genomics.
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If you’ve ever watched the TV show Survivor , you know the rules: outwit, outplay, outlast. But in the animal kingdom, Survivor isn’t a game– in a very real way, it’s adapt, or… And as climate change intensifies and human disasters reshape the environment, animals are being forced to come up with new ways to cope- fast! In this season 6 premiere, host Dr. Kaylee Byers explores some winning (and losing) survival strategies. First up, wildlife biologist Dr. Kendall Calhoun takes us into the aftermath of wildfires to see how different animals are adapting to an ever-changing landscape. Then, evolutionary biologist Dr. Cara Love brings us to her work in Chernobyl, where a population of wolves is living a radioactive life– and their genomes could even offer clues for cancer treatment. Highlights 04:58 Deer vs. Squirrels – Who’s Built to Survive a Wildfire? 12:27 Barry the Bear – The 500-Pound Bear Who Moved In After a Fire 19:57 Chernobyl’s wolves – Survival in a Radioactive World Sources FACT SHEET: Climate change and wildfires - Climate Institute Movement behavior in a dominant ungulate underlies successful adjustment to a rapidly changing landscape following megafire - Movement Ecology 40 Years After Chernobyl, Wolves May Be Adapting to Live With Radiation - Science Alert Signatures of Radiation-Induced Stress and Putative Selection on Immune Targets in Chornobyl Wolves - Molecular Ecology Surviving in a poisoned land: Chernobyl's wildlife is different, but not in the ways you might think - BBC What We Know About the Chernobyl Animal Mutations - ThoughtCo.
Have you heard about the radioactive wolves in Chernobyl? Or the latest gene-editing tech that’s curing rare diseases? Or that male birth control might be on the horizon? No?! Well, get ready, because while we’ve been busy living our lives, genomics has been moving – fast! Things that once read like science fiction are moving on over to the non -fiction section. This season on Nice Genes! , join Dr. Kaylee Byers as she engages in some big genomics breakthroughs – from personalized cancer treatments, to how our bodies react in space, to how animals adapt to the most extreme environments, and whether we can actually change how we age. It’s a whole new gene -eration (if you will) of discoveries that you won’t want to miss! New episodes every two weeks, starting September 8th. Make sure you follow Nice Genes! so you don’t miss an episode!
This episode was originally released on August 2, 2022 Just like any good superhero comic, we start this episode with the science going incredibly wrong. Think: vats of toxic waste producing evil mutants that ravage the city. Or maybe not so evil. It really depends on your perspective. Just like the X-men, genetic mutations get a bad rap in the public eye. But they aren’t all nasty. Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with data scientist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Brian Arnold on how the genetic ‘mistakes’ known as variants occasionally encode incredible abilities. Odd elephants, hiding in our ocean depths, and Rogue-ish bacteria are just a few examples. Dr. Arnold defends these genetic anomalies, and explains how they can make a huge difference to the future of humanity and life on this planet. Also joining us is marine biologist Dr. Maria Pia Miglietta, who shares an incredible ability sitting in our ocean depths. Immortality. So strap on your capes, because we’re heading straight into the strange terrain of “heroic mutations.” Listen to Nice Genes! wherever you get your podcasts, brought to you by Genome British Columbia. Resources: Genetic Mutation - Nature Genomic mutation rates: What high-throughput methods can tell us Shane Campbell Staton Group - Tuskless Elephants Ivory poaching and the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants - Science Real-Life X-Men: How CRISPR Could Give You Superpowers in the Future - synthego.com Indonesian divers have evolved bigger spleens to hunt underwater - Science Mutations may reveal how Tibetans can live on world's highest plateau - Science The Immortal Jellyfish - American Museum of Natural History Cellular reprogramming and immortality: Expression profiling reveals putative genes involved in Turritopsis dohrnii’s life cycle reversal Transcriptome Characterization of Reverse Development in Turritopsis dohrnii (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria) Horizontal gene transfer and adaptive evolution in bacteria - nature reviews microbiology Horizontal gene transfer overrides mutation in Escherichia coli colonizing the mammalian gut - PNAS The Ship of Theseus Dilemma - Open Okstate
Have you ever wondered why most orange cats are male? Scientists have been scratching their heads over this for decades, and now we finally have answers. In our final Gene Short of the season, Sarah Lando and Dr. Kaylee Byers explain the surprising new evidence that finally explains this purr-ticular quirk. Resources 1. Gene behind orange fur in cats found at last - Science.org 2. Scientists track down mutation that makes orange cats orange - Science Daily
This episode was originally released on November 15, 2022 Things aren’t always what they seem on the surface, especially when it comes to our oceans. So many mysteries hum below its watery surface. So, you may just have to use your ears when it's too dark to see exactly what's going on down there. Dr. Kaylee Byers looks into the ocean giants that lurk in the depths and the unique songs they share with us. She sits down with whale biologist Dr. Jennifer Allen on how whale songs are imparting a cultural exchange between populations that are hundreds of miles apart. Filmmaker Joshua Zeeman shares his journey to find the infamously dubbed 'Loneliest Whale'. And Paeleobiologist Dr. Travis Park from the Museum of Natural History in London tells us how whales developed their unique singing superpowers by taking us back through millions of years of evolution. Finally, researcher Grace Baer brings us to a remote west coast station studying whale populations and the effects of ocean traffic noise. It's a whale-sized episode taking you on a listening journey into this wonderful watery world! Special thanks to Captain Gaelen Krause of the Island Odyssey, for capturing recordings on his journey to search for whales along the British Columbia coast. Resources: 1. Southern Resident Killer Whale Research Project | Parks Canada 2. Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural 'deep dive ' | phys.org 3. Whale-monitoring robots are oceanic eavesdroppers with a mission | Popular Science 4. Whale Songs Are Getting Deeper | The Atlantic 5. The search for the loneliest whale in the world | The Guardian 6. The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52 | Bleecker Street Media 7. BTS (방탄소년단) Whalien 52' MV | BigHit Entertainment 7. Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 8. Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean Life - But We Can Fix it | TIME 9. Convergent evolution in toothed whale cochleae | BMC Evolutionary Biology 10. Evolutionary Basis of High-Frequency Hearing in the Cochleae of Echolocators Revealed by Comparative Genomics | Oxford Academic 11. Genome-culture coevolution promotes rapid divergence of killer whale ecotypes | Nature 12. DNA Suggests Cultural Traits Affect Whale Evolution | Science 13. San Francisco: Dead Whale Opens Seafood Season | Universal International Newswire 14. Songs of the Humpback Whale | Roger Payne, CRM Records 15. Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive 16. Monaco - International Whaling Commission | Associated Press Archive 17. Bubble Net Feeding | BC Whales 18. Cool Genomics Facts - Fact 4 & 5: Environmental DNA | Genome British Columbia
The story of 23andMe has more twists than a soap opera. Spit parties, ghosting the FDA, unicorn valuations, and massive data breaches—this company has done it all. In this Gene Short, Sarah Lando walks Dr. Kaylee Byers through the drama behind the headlines, and what it all means if you’re thinking about exploring your own ancestry DNA. Resources 1. The rise and fall of 23andMe - Business Insider 2. The rise and fall and rise again of 23andMe - Nature
This episode was originally released on November 5, 2024 Dr. Hannah Belcher was already studying autism she found out she herself was Autistic. Getting her diagnosis felt like everything suddenly clicked… but why did it take so long to get answers? In this episode, Hannah shares her journey and talks about how many Autistic people, especially women, learn to mask their true selves to fit in– causing them to slip through the diagnostic cracks. Then, we invite Dr. John Constantino to break down the genetic underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disoder and related conditions like ADHD—and how science is shaking up the genomic picture of what we thought we knew about this male-female bias. From outdated theories to “refrigerator mothers,” join hosts Dr. Kaylee Byers and Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye as they comb through the tangled web of sex bias and ask whether our current methods of studying neurodiversity is actually addressing the questions the people with ASD want answered? A Note on Language: When talking about Autism - semantics matter. So, it’s important to recognize the nuances of language. Many people in the Autism community prefer identity-first language, such as "Autistic person," as it centers Autism as a core part of their identity. Others, however, may prefer person-first language, like "person with Autism," which places the individual before the condition. We’ve used both forms of language in this episode, and we encourage respecting individual preferences by asking what each person is most comfortable with. For more on this, check out resources like the National Institutes of Health’s guide on writing respectfully about identity and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s explanation of identity-first language. Additionally, when we refer to ‘Autism risk’ in the context of academic research, it typically means an increased genetic likelihood of receiving an Autism diagnosis. However, we recognize that "risk" can imply a negative connotation (which we do not support.) Instead, we aim to discuss Autism in ways that honour the neurodiversity of all individuals. Lastly, regarding sex differences in Autism diagnoses, in this episode, we’re talking specifically about sex assigned at birth. Although we mention gender, we want to be clear that we aren’t exploring how Autism diagnoses may vary by gender identity—that area remains understudied! So, our conversation is focused on differences between males and females, and we look forward to seeing more research on the richly complex interactions between gender identitiy and neurodiversity in the future. Highlights: (6:32) Growing up undiagnosed (18:52) The genetic underpinnings of Autism and related neurodiverse conditions (22:20) Debunking the “female protective effect” (26:37) A biased assessment Resources: 1. ‘ Taking off the Mask: A Practical Guide for Managing Autistic Camouflaging and Mental Health ‘ - Dr. Hannah Belcher 2. Inherited Risk for Autism Through Maternal and Paternal Lineage - National Institute of Health 3. ' Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect ’- The Transmitter 4. How ADHD Gender Bias is Slowly, Steadily Harming Females - ADDitude Mag 5. Refrigerator Mothers - A Discredited Cause Of Autism - Autism Help 6. Study challenges idea that autism is caused by an overly masculine brain - Science.org 7. Autism Spectrum Conditions In Women: Diagnosis, Mental Health, And The Role Of Camouflaging - Research Gate
Bowhead whales can live for nearly 2 centuries, weigh as much as 22 elephants, and– surprisingly– rarely get cancer. So what’s their sea -cret? Sarah Lando from Genome BC brings us the splashy new genomic research behind these Arctic giants’ longevity, and what it could mean for the future of cancer research. Resources 1. “This whale lives for centuries: its secret could help extend human lifespan” - Nature 2. Evidence for improved DNA repair in long-lived bowhead whale - Nature 3. Peto’s Paradox: Large mammals may hold clues in preventing cancer among humans - HealthyDebate
This episode was originally released on December 13, 2022 Stop the presses! New research shows that viruses locked in the Arctic permafrost for thousands of years have the potential to infect present-day organisms. Accompanied with a warming planet, this issue is really starting to thaw out. So what can brave scientists and institutions on the frontlines of tracking diseases do about it? And how can understanding our genomic history with diseases over thousands of years better prepare us in the fight to overcome them? Dr. Kaylee Byers starts our journey by slinking into a disease-tracking genomics lab at Simon Fraser University to meet Dr. Michael Trimble and Dr. Will Hsiao to understand the challenge of outpacing the rapid evolution of viruses. Then she pops across the ocean to speak with Dr. Birgitta Evengård and Dr. Jean-Michel Claverie about whether the Pandora's box of ancient diseases frozen in the arctic have the potential to become the next global outbreak as temperatures warm. Plus, we unearth ancient burial sites in Vietnam with Dr. Melandri Vlok, to investigate how climate change exacerbates the tension between human health and pathogens. Special thanks to Dr. Will Hsiao and Dr. Michael Trimble for allowing us to record with them at Simon Fraser University. Resources: 1. Infection control in the new age of genomic epidemiology | British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory 2. The permafrost pandemic: could the melting Arctic release a deadly disease | Unearthed 3. Viral spillover risk increases with climate change in High Arctic lake sediments | The Royal Society 4. Healthy ecosystems for human and animal health: Science diplomacy for responsible development in the Arctic | The Nordic Centre of Excellence 5. Understanding and Responding to Global Health Security Risks from Microbial Threats in the Arctic: Proceedings of a Workshop | National Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine 6. Next pandemic may come from melting glaciers, new data shows | The Guardian 7. Scientists Revived Ancient 'Zombie Viruses' Frozen For Eons in Siberia | Science Alert 8. A 48,500-year-old virus has been revived from Siberian permafrost | NewScientist 9. Anthrax outbreak in Siberia | euro news 10. CBC News: The National | Russia invades Ukraine | Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) 11. National Geographic: Explorer Directory, Melandri Vlok | National Geographic 12. Paleoepidemiological Considerations of Mobility and Population Interaction in the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Prehistoric Past | Bioarchaeology International 13. The Epidemiological Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change | Milbank Memorial Fund 14. Forager and farmer evolutionary adaptations to malaria evidenced by 7000 years of thalassemia in Southeast Asia | nature portfolio 15. CARD 2020: antibiotic resistome surveillance with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database | Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University
Listening to and creating music is one of the most universal human experiences. It gets stuck in our heads, makes us cry in the car, and has the power to bring people together – sometimes without even a single word. So for something so deeply ingrained in us - IS IT... ingrained in us? like, in our DNA? it raises a big question: is our connection to music something we learn… or something written into our DNA? In this special bonus live episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers takes the pod on stage for the very first time to explore the science of music. Joined by neuroscientist Dr. Lara Boyd, clinical geneticist Dr. Alison Castle, and (virtually) behavioural geneticist Dr. Miriam Mosing, our panel unpacks how music shapes and rewires our brains, why it can be such a powerful tool for therapy and lifelong learning, what genes can (and definitely can’t) tell us about musicality– and why music even exists in the first place. So warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sway in your seat… this is Nice Genes! live. Special thanks to musician (and recovering physicist) Dr. Martin Austwick for the live musical magic throughout the show. - Highlights (7:24) How Opera Training Influences the Brain (10:30) Music’s Role in Memory and Dementia Prevention (22:27) Heritability of Musical Behaviour (36:24) If we could identify specific musical genes, should we? - Show Notes/Resources: 1. Twin modelling reveals partly distinct genetic pathways to music enjoyment - Nature Communications 2. New multi-faculty research initiative weaves notes and neurons - Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
Why Tuberculosis is still the most deadly infectious disease. Attention, DNA detectives! We’ve got a rat on the loose – but don’t worry, not the snitching, double-agent kind. We’re talking about the whiskered, hyper-skilled, tiny agents who aren't snitching - they're sniffing out one of the world’s deadliest diseases: tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis might sound old-timey, but it’s still the globe’s top infectious killer– growing tougher, more drug-resistant, and hitting hardest where access to care falls short. So for our Season 5 finale, host Dr. Kaylee Byers digs into TB’s fascinating backstory, and teams up with microbiologist Dr. Jennifer Guthrie to figure out why this ancient disease still has such a tight grip, and how genomics is helping track its every move. Along the way, Dr. Zolelwa Sifumba shares her story as a multidrug-resistant TB survivor, and how her treatment journey fuels her advocacy today. Buckle up: this investigation has it all : science, politics, global inequities… and a squad of extraordinary rats. Special thanks to APOPO for sending us field recordings and interviews from their HeroRAT training program. Highlights (3:42) The history of TB (8:19) Why TB sits at the top of the global disease podium (15:30) Meet Zolelwa - a multi-drug-resistant TB survivor (30:48) The power of education – Show Notes/Resources: 1. Giant Rats Trained to Sniff Out Tuberculosis in Africa - National Geographic 2. The Making of a HeroRAT: From Tiny Pup to Life-saving Hero - APOPO 3. Tuberculosis: an ancient disease that remains a medical, social, economical and ethical issue - Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene 4. History of World TB Day - CDC 5. The history of tuberculosis - Respiratory Medicine 6. Chapter 12: An introductory guide to tuberculosis care to improve cultural competence for health care workers and public health professionals serving Indigenous Peoples of Canada - Canadian Journal of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine 7. Everything is Tuberculosis - John Green
Got a sec? Kaylee’s popping into your feed with a teensy, weensy favour to ask: if you’re a fan of the podcast, would you do us the honour of leaving Nice Genes! a review? Not only does it help the show, but it could also score you some very fun, one-of-a-kind prizes (details below ). How to leave a review: Apple Podcasts: Scroll to the bottom of our show page, tap those five shiny stars, and tell us what you think. Spotify: Tap the star rating at the top of our show page and leave a comment on your favourite episode this season. Contest details: If you leave the pod a review by December 31st and DM a screenshot to @GenomeBC on Instagram, you could win a swag bag, or the chance to maybe even be featured on the show next season. Your feedback helps our beloved podcast reach new ears, supports the science stories you care about, and lets us know exactly what’s resonating most with you. So… what are you waiting for? Show the pod a little love and earn yourself a shot at some exclusive Nice Genes! goodies!
Turning up the heat on a life stage science is still catching up to. Ok, most of us may have gotten “the period talk.” But the “menopause talk?” Not so much. For something that half the world will experience, menopause and perimenopause are still wildly misunderstood. Luckily, the DNA detectives are finally reopening a mystery that’s been overlooked for too long. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers unpacks the science behind menopause. She calls on educator Shirley Weir to understand what menopause and perimenopause actually are– and why so many people feel dismissed when they try to get answers. Plus, reproductive genomics researcher Dr. Aspasia Destouni reveals what our genes (and a few unlikely informants– from orcas to naked mole rats) can teach us about the rebellious internal clock that drives ovarian aging. Special thanks to Andrea Rathborne- creator, host and producer of the Half Betty podcast. A note on language: This episode often uses the terms “women” and “female” interchangeably, but we want to acknowledge that menopause is not experienced exclusively by women. People of various gender identities can go through perimenopause and menopause, and it's important to be inclusive in how we talk about this life stage. Resources: Menopause and perimenopause can feel isolating, and support isn’t always easy to find. Check out resources below for guidance and trusted support networks. - Resources to help you on your menopause health journey- Menopause Foundation of Canada - Menopause & Midlife Health - BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre - Older Adults - Trans Care BC - Balancing Your Health and Wellness During Menopause - First Nations Health Authority – Highlights (5:05) What are menopause and peri-menopause (14:09) Why menopause ages on a different timeline than the rest of the body (20:24) What genomics (and naked mole rats!) reveal about ovarian aging (24:29) Which animals experience menopause and the evolutionary reasons why – Show Notes/Resources: 1. Menopause and Perimenopause - Health Link BC 2. ‘Unprepared and Disoriented.’ New Findings on Menopause Impacts - The Tyee 3. IN HER WORDS Women’s Experience with the Healthcare System in British Columbia - BC Women’s Health Foundation, Pacific Blue Cross 4. Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia - Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s 5. Menopause and Work in Canada - Menopause Foundation of Canada 6. Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring- PNAS 7. Demographic and hormonal evidence for menopause in wild chimpanzees - Science 8. Naked mole rats defy the biological law of aging - Science
What genomics can tell us about food safety, the microbiome, and the mind. You’ve heard the saying, “you are what you eat”... Well, our gut microbes take that very literally. If you’ve ever gone on vacation, eaten something tasty, and next thing you find yourself bonding with a bathroom floor, you’re not alone. Food poisoning might occasionally make for a good story later, but it’s a serious issue that lands millions of people in hospitals every year– and tracing the culprit isn’t always as simple as pointing at last night’s tacos. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers chats with microbiologist Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, who explains how genomics helps track foodborne outbreaks – from the harmful bacteria in our food to the microbes living inside us. Then, Dr. Mary Sco. dives into the science of the gut-brain connection, revealing how your gut and brain are constantly in conversation. So grab a snack, and get ready to stomach the science. Highlights (4:00) The bacteria behind food poisoning (10:13) How genomics helps track foodborne outbreaks (16:35) The microbiome in all its glory, and the gut-brain connection (23:59) Some poo-ticular scientific treatments – Resources 1. Yearly food-borne illness estimates for Canada- Government of Canada 2. Salmonella Syst-OMICS – Salmonella Syst-OMICS Consortium 3. Hack Your Health- The Secrets of Your Gut Health - Netflix 4. Probiotics: 100 years (1907-2007) after Elie Metchnikoff's Observation - Research Gate 5. Revisiting Metchnikoff: Age-related alterations in microbiota-gut-brain axis in the mouse - Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 6. Intragastric infection of germfree and conventional mice with Salmonella typhimurium - NIH 7. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial)- BMC Medicine 8. Pick fecal microbiota transplantation to enhance therapy for major depressive disorder - Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
How vector-borne diseases spread– and the critters that carry them Malaria, Lyme disease, dengue, Zika… what do they all have in common? They’re what we call vector-borne diseases– spread to us by tiny, bite-happy arthropods. These little troublemakers are responsible for 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide, and with climate change and urbanization on the rise, they’re becoming an even bigger threat. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with insect investigator Dr. Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec to untangle the intricate web of vector-borne disease dynamics, and explain what makes these insects such masterful disease spreaders. Then, Dr. Pooja Swali shares how ancient DNA from thousands of years ago revealed a pathogen’s curious evolutionary switch from one creepy crawly to another. From mosquitoes to ticks to the not-so-affectionate kissing bug, every insect in this lineup is guilty of something– and genomics is helping us figure out what. Highlights (5:51) Vector disease dynamics: The pathogen, the vector, and the host– a love triangle. (13:10) A neglected disease you may have never heard of. (17:20) Ancient DNA uncovers the tale of an opportunistic pathogen and a surprising partner in crime. (26:20) What changes to our environments does to our disease landscape – Resources 1. Vector-borne diseases - The World Health Organization 2. Ancient DNA used to map evolution of fever-causing bacteria - Science Daily 3. Mapping the distribution of Amblyomma americanum in Georgia, USA - Parasites & Vectors 4. Focal persistence and phylodynamics of Heartland virus in Georgia- Virus Evolution
The genetic clues behind sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals Every so often, we see headlines about an elite athlete collapsing mid-game. The crowd goes silent, emergency crews rush to the field, and everyone’s left wondering: how could this happen? The truth is, sometimes a hidden heart condition written deep in our DNA will unmask itself on the field. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers sits down with sports cardiologist and cardiogeneticist Dr. Prashant Rao to explore the genetic roots of sudden cardiac events in young athletes. Together, they unpack the most common underlying genetic conditions responsible, what genomics is revealing about the specific genes involved, and the ongoing debate around genetic screening. Plus, the remarkable story of JJ: a young wrestler who survived cardiac arrest thanks to his early genetic diagnosis and fast-acting friends. Listen in to learn why these devastating events happen, and how genomics is helping keep athletes safely in the game. Highlights (7:23) The most common underlying genetic heart conditions (11:40) Meet the 18 year old wrestler who survived cardiac arrest (21:32) A hot debate in sports cardiology (24:51) Tailoring training through genotype – Resources 1 . 78 minutes in the life (and near death) of Fabrice Muamba - The Guardian 2. Reggie Lewis death, explained: Revisiting the tragic passing of Celtics star in 1993- The Sporting News 3. Marc-Vivien Foe death: His legacy 10 years after collapsing on pitch - BBC Sport 4. The day Denmark stood still: Christian Eriksen’s collapse and the heroes who saved him - The Guardian 5. Soccer star speaks out 2 months after collapsing on field mid-game - ABC News 6. Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes: A 20-Year Study - AHA Journals 7. Sudden cardiac death in the young: the molecular autopsy and a practical approach to surviving relatives - European Heart Journal 8. An 18-Year-Old Athlete Almost Dropped Dead, but Friends Saved His Life: 'It's Really a Miracle' - People Magazine
How medical dramas shape the way we think about genomics Medical dramas have been a staple of television for decades, from iconic primetime hits like Grey’s Anatomy and HOUSE, to newer favorites like The Pitt . It’s easy to get swept up in the high-stakes surgeries, love triangles, and melodramatoc monologues– but when it comes to the science, a second opinion might be in order. In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers sets out to investigate how these kinds of TV shows shape our perceptions of science. First up, Watson script consultant Dr. Krysta Coyle breaks down some of the biggest genomic missteps medical dramas make, and dishes on what it’s like to be the science voice on set. Then, Ayden Eilmus, a bioethicist and medical drama scholar, explores the evolution of genetics on TV, from problematic eugenics-era storylines to the more complex and ethically rich portrayals we see today. Hit "play" to uncover how our guilty-pleasure binge watches can have a bigger impact than just entertainment. Highlights (3:54) Common genomic missteps on TV (9:34) What it’s like consulting on a medical TV show (14:42) Genetics on TV: then and now (25:57) Why representation matters – Resources 1. Eugenics and genetic screening in television medical dramas - BMJ Journals 2. Genetics in Television Medical Dramas - J Lit Sci 3. How Accurate Are Medical TV Shows? - Cleveland Clinic 4. Eugenics: Its Origin and Development (1883 - Present) - National Human Genome Research Institute 5. Watson Episode 12 recap: Bioengineered chaos, betrayal, and Moriarty’s return- Soap Central 6. Private Practice (2007, S1E6) 7. Chicago Hope S5E12 8. Grey's Anatomy, (2015, S11E10)
How new genomic approaches are helping diagnose and treat our tiniest patients Welcoming a new baby brings boundless love, joy, and the usual sleepless nights of early parenthood. But in the NICU, when a newborn is unexpectedly sick, it’s the uncertainty that keep parents awake. In this episode, our investigation takes us inside the neonatal intensive care unit, where genomic tools are mapping medical mysteries in record time. You’ll hear the remarkable story of “Baby KJ,” the first newborn to receive a personalized CRISPR treatment; insights from pediatric geneticist Dr. Tara Wenger on how new approaches to testing are changing care; and the story of Meredith Thomas– a mother whose fight for answers helped uncover a diagnosis that saved her daughter’s life. From faster diagnoses to fairer care, join Dr. Kaylee Byers to learn how these genomic breakthroughs are redefining what’s possible for newborns and their families. Highlights (3:50) A study that changes the way we test ill newborns (9:00) Meet a mother who advocated for her sick daughter (13:56) A visit from the genetics team and a life saving diagnosis (19:12) Making healthcare more equitable – Resources 1. World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 2. SeqFirst: Building equity access to a precise genetic diagnosis in critically ill newborns - The American Journal of Human Genetics 3. Implementation of First-Line Rapid Genome Sequencing in Non–Critical Care Pediatric Wards - The Journal of Pediatrics 4. Genetic Non-Discrimination Act- The Government of Canada
How wastewater surveillance is tracking diseases outbreaks When you flush your toilet, where does the waste go? Down the pipes, through the sewers, and into a… lab? That’s right, hidden in our collective waste is a archive of genomic clues revealing our health, habits, and maybe even happiness levels. In this episode, host Dr. Kaylee Byers teams up with Dr. Jess Steier from the Unbiased Science podcast as they dive into the world of wastewater surveillance. Along the way, they enlist a seasoned “poo detective,” Dr. Natalie Prystajecky, who wades through some wastewater 101, and how sewage can tip us off to disease outbreaks before symptoms even start. Then, Dr. Yemisi Bokinni brings the investigation to the not-so-small town of Makoko, Nigeria, where a new genome sequencing lab is chasing an old culprit: polio. From your neighbourhood sewers to global health and future pandemics, we're using genomics to identify poo dunnit. Highlights (3:26) Wastewater 101: Dr. Natalie Prystajecky flushes out the basics (9:07) Diving into the murky ethics of wastewater surveillance (19:13) Tracking down polio in a floating village (26:45) Can wastewater tip us off to the next pandemic – Resources 1. Wastewater Surveillance – BC Centre for Disease Control 2. Wastewater surveillance tells a quiet story of polio’s return – BMJ 3. Nigeria’s polio battleground ' – Nature 4. Makoko: ‘Venice of Lagos’ – SmartCities Dive
Every mystery leaves a trail of clues. Fingerprints, call logs, maybe some tire tracks… or, of course, DNA. And when it comes to mysteries about our health, there are no shortages of leads to chase. This season, join host, Dr. –or Detective– Kaylee Byers and the Nice Genes! CSI unit as we investigate the genomic breadcrumbs shaping the way we age, treat diseases– and even watch TV. We’ll uncover how “poo water” can tip us off to pandemics before they spread, to why some of the fittest athletes suddenly collapse on the field. And if you thought you smelled a “rat,” well, you’d be correct. Because we'll also learn how our rodent sidekicks are helping us sniff out the world's deadliest infectious disease. Explore these cases and more in Nice Genes! season 5: “DNA Detectives”– resolving the genetic riddles behind our health, one story at a time. Click here for tickets and more information about the Nice Genes! Live podcast event on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025.
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