Epigenetics, Inflammation and the Human Immune System

How Can We Achieve Health Equity?

In today's episode of The Fundamentals, we talk with Dr. John Ayanian, director of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation [https://ihpi.umich.edu/]. Dr. Ayanian's research explores underlying factors that contribute to persistent health disparities between minoritized groups and their white counterparts, as well as strategies for ending inequity in health care and improving overall health outcomes for everyone. Episode Transcript [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals/how-can-we-achieve-health-equity] Learn more about The Fundamentals [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals] The Fundamentals is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network [https://www.uofmhealth.org/podcasts], and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamentals/id1694063706], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5qPnBDpjKCswr6VyTnolTJ?si=d34fce77cf93495f], or wherever you listen to podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Researching Psychedelics for Potential Therapeutic Use

Recently, interest in psychedelic research has seen a resurgence, strengthened by better designed and controlled clinical trials and the use of neuroimaging, examining psychedelics' potential therapeutic use for PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and depression. On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. George Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology and founder of the Michigan Psychedelic Center about using rigorous scientific methods to unlock the mysteries of psychedelics and investigate their potential as therapeutics.  Episode Transcript [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals/researching-psychedelics-potential-therapeutic-use] Learn more about the Global Psychedelic Survey 2025 [https://michiganpsychedelic.med.umich.edu/research/global-psychedelic-survey/], launching 5/1/25 Learn more about The Fundamentals [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals] The Fundamentals is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network [https://www.uofmhealth.org/podcasts], and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamentals/id1694063706], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5qPnBDpjKCswr6VyTnolTJ?si=d34fce77cf93495f], or wherever you listen to podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Using A.I. and Bioinformatics to Reveal Hidden Networks of the Brain

There are an estimated 86 billion neurons in the human brain. Neuroscientists are actively exploring the importance of single or small groups of neurons versus networks of billions of neurons in the processing of sensory information, storage of memories, generation of movement, and everything else the brain does. Until recently, it simply wasn't possible to study billions of neurons at once. In today's episode, we talk with U-M's Dr. Anne Draelos, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and assistant professor of computational medicine and bioinformatics, who is using A.I. and bioinformatics to reveal the hidden networks of the brain, and exploring how gaining this understanding could improve lives. Episode Transcript [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals/ai-and-bioinformatics-reveal-hidden-networks-brain] Dr. Anne Draelos [https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/mni/anne-draelos-phd] Draelos Lab [https://draeloslab.org/] Learn more about The Fundamentals [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals] The Fundamentals is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network [https://www.uofmhealth.org/podcasts], and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamentals/id1694063706], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5qPnBDpjKCswr6VyTnolTJ?si=d34fce77cf93495f], or wherever you listen to podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Epigenetics, Inflammation and the Human Immune System

People with diabetes often have a host of other conditions including cardiovascular disease and kidney disease driven by inflammation. On today's episode, we talk with Dr. Katherine Gallagher, professor of surgery, professor of microbiology and immunology, and the Leland Ira Doan Research Professor of Vascular Surgery at U of M, who is looking at how epigenetics - the influence of environmental factors and behaviors impact on gene expression - might explain changes in the immune system in people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions related to inflammation.  Episode Transcript [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals/epigenetics-inflammation-and-human-immune-system] Dr. Katherine Gallagher [https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/immunology/katherine-gallagher-md] Learn more about The Fundamentals [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals] The Fundamentals is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network [https://www.uofmhealth.org/podcasts], and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamentals/id1694063706], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5qPnBDpjKCswr6VyTnolTJ?si=d34fce77cf93495f], or wherever you listen to podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Psoriasis, Diabetes and Other Inflammatory Conditions

Today on The Fundamentals, we have a conversation with Dr. Sonya Wolf-Fortune, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, whose work focuses on investigating the underlying mechanisms of psoriasis, diabetes, and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Wolf-Fortune is trying to uncover what sets off the cascades of inflammation related to these conditions and related diseases. Episode Transcript [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals/psoriasis-diabetes-and-other-inflammatory-conditions] Dr. Wolf-Fortune Profile [https://medschool.umich.edu/profile/11031/sonya-j-wolf-fortune] Learn more about The Fundamentals [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/fundamentals] The Fundamentals is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network [https://www.uofmhealth.org/podcasts], and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can subscribe to The Fundamentals on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamentals/id1694063706], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5qPnBDpjKCswr6VyTnolTJ?si=d34fce77cf93495f], or wherever you listen to podcasts. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.