de-CIPHERing Infectious Disease

Life on the Edge with Laurel Yohe

Episode 13 What can we learn from animals that live life on the edge? Dr. Laurel Yohe joins the podcast to discuss her fascinating research on bats, creatures with extreme adaptations like supersonic echolocation and mysteriously resilient immune systems. The conversation explores how studying these unique animals, using everything from 100-year-old museum specimens to cutting-edge genomic sequencing, provides critical insights into evolution and the transmission of viruses. Dr. Yohe also makes a powerful case for "science for the sake of discovery," where pure curiosity can lead to the most unexpected and vital breakthroughs.   Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu. [http://cipher.charlotte.edu/] Key Takeaways * Studying animals that live at biological extremes, such as in unique environments or with unusual metabolisms, provides a powerful window into the evolutionary pressures that create diversity. * Modern research often finds success by creatively blending old and new scientific methods. For instance, basic tissue staining of a bat specimen from 1906 yielded images as clear as if the sample were fresh, showing the value of classic techniques. * To optimize their "supersonic" echolocation abilities, the anatomy of horseshoe bats has been completely rearranged. Their throats have essentially moved up into their faces to fine-tune how they perceive the world through sound. * Evolutionary adaptations for one purpose can have unintended consequences for other systems. The same changes that improved bat echolocation also altered the placement of immune cells in the nasal cavity, potentially affecting how they tolerate viruses. * The risk of pathogens spreading from animals to humans increases as we encroach on wildlife habitats. This creates a greater interface between wild animals, domesticated animals, and people, raising the chances of a spillover event. * Research driven by pure curiosity is essential because it can become unexpectedly vital. Foundational knowledge on bat noses, gathered simply out of scientific interest, suddenly became highly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.   This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Expanding the Genome with Dr. Danillo Augusto

Episode 12 In this conversation, Dr. Danillo Augusto shares his journey from Brazil to the US, detailing his experiences with the neglected autoimmune disease Pemphigus and his current research focus on genomic equity. He discusses the importance of studying underrepresented populations in genomics and the challenges faced in addressing health disparities.    Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu. [http://cipher.charlotte.edu/] Key Takeaways * Pemphigus is a neglected autoimmune disease endemic to Brazil. * Health disparities are evident in the lack of research on diseases affecting poor populations. * Most genomic studies focus on European ancestry, creating gaps in understanding. * Danilo secured a significant NIH grant to study Pemphigus. * Understanding limitations leads to better scientific partnerships. * Team science is essential for addressing complex research questions. * Genetic variation in immune regions is often overlooked. * SARS-CoV-2 research revealed strong genetic associations. * Environmental factors can trigger health issues in populations. * Future research should focus on underrepresented genetic regions. This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Unraveling DNA with Dr. Abbe LaBella

Episode 11 Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Abbe LaBella, Assistant professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte. She will take us along her journey from designing mailboxes to studying fungal genetics. Along the way, there will be deep sea adventures, genetic breakthroughs, and lessons for all stages of life.  Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu. [http://cipher.charlotte.edu/] Key Takeaways * Abby actively mentors students from high school to postdoctoral levels. * Her deep-sea research involved collecting samples using the submersible Alvin. * Abby's lab focuses on understanding the implications of genomic variation. * Silent mutations, once thought inconsequential, can influence disease outcomes. * The field of codon usage bias is relatively new and evolving. * Machine learning can uncover patterns in genetic data without bias. * The importance of tRNAs in protein synthesis is often overlooked. * The NIH grant will focus on understanding silent synonymous data in yeast. This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Evolutionary Informatics with Dr. Alex Dornburg

Episode 10 Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Alex Dornburg, Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics and Genomics, as he shares his journey from childhood passion for wildlife photography to groundbreaking research in evolutionary informatics. We explore the fascinating world of Antarctic fishes, the cutting-edge applications of generative AI in education, and the critical role of team science in solving complex problems. Whether you're curious about marine biology, AI, or the intersection of diverse scientific disciplines, this episode offers a unique perspective on discovery, resilience, and innovation. Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu. [http://cipher.charlotte.edu/]   Key Takeaways * Passion Leads to Discovery: Alex Dornburg's love for photographing animals as a child sparked his lifelong interest in science, eventually leading to a career in evolutionary informatics. * Evolutionary Informatics: Alex's work focuses on using bioinformatics and evolutionary biology to address contemporary problems, such as forecasting biodiversity changes and understanding emergent diseases. * Antarctic Fish Research: Alex studies unique Antarctic fish that lack hemoglobin and have adapted to extreme environments, using genetic traits that, in humans, would cause severe conditions like brittle bone disease. * Adapting During the Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic shifted Alex’s focus from fieldwork to computational research, highlighting the flexibility needed in science to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. * AI in Education: Alex uses generative AI in his teaching to help students explore bioinformatics tasks, making science education more engaging, individualized, and relevant to their interests. * Team Science: Alex emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating diverse perspectives and expertise to tackle complex problems in biology and beyond. * Revolutionizing Public Health: By applying evolutionary biology, Alex's team modeled antibody waning and reinfection risks for COVID-19, providing actionable insights during the pandemic and shaping future responses. * Environmental DNA (eDNA): His lab uses eDNA technology to map biodiversity in marine environments, offering a non-invasive way to track species presence and ecological changes. * Science Is a Journey of Learning: Alex believes science is a continuous conversation that demands curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to embrace failure as part of the process. * Personal and Professional Legacy: Alex aspires to mentor successful, fulfilled students, contribute meaningfully to science, and maintain a lifelong love for learning and exploration, including his personal goal of becoming a polyglot. This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast

Ticks and their Tricks with Dr. Rafael Viera

Episode 9 In the final episode of Season 1, we dive into the fascinating world of ticks, pathogens, and global health with Dr. Rafael Vieira, a self-proclaimed "pathogen hunter" from UNC Charlotte. From the depths of the Amazon to the labs of North Carolina, Dr. Vieira takes us on a thrilling journey through his groundbreaking research on vector-borne diseases. Discover why your next eco-tourism adventure might be riskier than you think, and how climate change is reshaping the landscape of infectious diseases. Dr. Vieira shares hair-raising tales of tick collection, the excitement of discovering new bacteria, and his mission to bridge health gaps in sub-Saharan Africa. This episode is a gripping exploration of the intricate dance between humans, animals, and our environment – and why understanding this connection might just save us from the next pandemic. Find out more at cipher.charlotte.edu. [http://cipher.charlotte.edu/]   Key Takeaways * There's more to tick-borne illnesses than just Lyme disease. Dr. Vieira's research has uncovered several new bacteria and pathogens, highlighting the need for broader awareness and research. * Activities like eco-tourism, illegal animal trafficking, and deforestation can have far-reaching consequences on the spread of vector-borne diseases across continents. * Climate change is altering the distribution patterns of ticks and other disease vectors, potentially exposing new populations to these threats. * Dr. Vieira's work in sub-Saharan Africa underscores the value of international partnerships in addressing global health issues and nurturing the next generation of scientists in developing countries. * By studying emerging pathogens and disease patterns, Dr. Vieira and his colleagues are working to stay ahead of potential outbreaks, potentially preventing future epidemics or pandemics. This podcast was produced and edited by Zack Jackson CIPHER is a proud part of UNC Charlotte who holds all rights to the content created by this podcast