Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta
- Episodes
- 503
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 6, 2026
About the podcast
Talking 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.
Episodes 503
Donald Danforth Centre-Virus-resistant cassava for sub-Saharan Africa
This episode explores the innovative efforts at the Donald Danforth Centre to develop virus-resistant cassava for sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the science, regulatory hurdles, and social impact of biotech …
Show notes
This episode explores the innovative efforts at the Donald Danforth Centre to develop virus-resistant cassava for sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the science, regulatory hurdles, and social impact of biotech solutions in agriculture.
Gates Ag One-Technology Development for Smallholder Farmers in Africa and South Asia
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Brigitte Weston, the director of product development at Gates Ag One, about their mission to accelerate crop technology development for smallholder farmers in Africa and …
Show notes
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Brigitte Weston, the director of product development at Gates Ag One, about their mission to accelerate crop technology development for smallholder farmers in Africa and South Asia. They discuss the organization's approach to innovation, regulatory challenges, and how they foster public-private partnerships to improve food security.
Oncolytic Viruses Targeting Cancer Tumors - Dr. Eric Poma
Oncolytic viruses may offer a new way to tackle solid tumors by targeting cancer cells and activating the immune system. Dr. Eric Poma explains how Calidi Biotherapeutics is engineering a vaccinia-based virus …
Show notes
Oncolytic viruses may offer a new way to tackle solid tumors by targeting cancer cells and activating the immune system. Dr. Eric Poma explains how Calidi Biotherapeutics is engineering a vaccinia-based virus to evade immune clearance, reach tumors, and deliver an immune-stimulating payload. He and Kevin Folta discuss the approach’s potential for cancers such as lung cancer, melanoma, renal cancer, and head and neck cancers.
The history & science behind GLP1 receptor agonists
This episode explores the fascinating history and science behind GLP1 receptor agonists, their development from animal venom to life-changing diabetes and obesity treatments, and the importance of basic …
Show notes
This episode explores the fascinating history and science behind GLP1 receptor agonists, their development from animal venom to life-changing diabetes and obesity treatments, and the importance of basic research in medical breakthroughs.
Meat Proteins in Plants
In this episode, Dr. Alexia Groff discusses her groundbreaking research on expressing mammalian myoglobin in plants using chloroplast transformation. We explore the implications for food production …
Show notes
In this episode, Dr. Alexia Groff discusses her groundbreaking research on expressing mammalian myoglobin in plants using chloroplast transformation. We explore the implications for food production, biosecurity, and future applications in meat substitutes and nutritional enhancement. Chloroplast inheritance reduces gene flow risk, enhancing biosafety. Heterologous expression in plants can produce functional animal proteins.
New Strategies in Early ALS Detection
This episode explores the cutting-edge advancements in ALS diagnostics and treatment, highlighting how AI and digital health are transforming patient care and research. Guest Indo Navar shares her journey from …
Show notes
This episode explores the cutting-edge advancements in ALS diagnostics and treatment, highlighting how AI and digital health are transforming patient care and research. Guest Indo Navar shares her journey from Silicon Valley entrepreneurship to pioneering innovative solutions for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new strategy in the war on obesity - Dr. Erik Ingelsson
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Erik Ingelsson about innovative RNA-based therapies for obesity, focusing on the potential of silencing RNA and gene editing to target visceral fat and improve …
Show notes
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Erik Ingelsson about innovative RNA-based therapies for obesity, focusing on the potential of silencing RNA and gene editing to target visceral fat and improve metabolic health.
Cameron English-The Debate on Conventional vs Organic Farming
The debate continues on organic vs conventional farming. Cameron and Kevin give their views on this growing subject!
Stop Political Interference in Federal Science Grants! With Dr. Colette Delawalla
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Colette Delawalla about the threats to scientific integrity posed by recent political and administrative changes. They discuss the importance of federal funding, the …
Show notes
In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Colette Delawalla about the threats to scientific integrity posed by recent political and administrative changes. They discuss the importance of federal funding, the impact of proposed policies, and how the scientific community can respond to defend science and democracy. You Can Help Change the Federal Government views!!
The Future of Agriculture -- Dr. Scott Angle
Celebrating 500 episodes of Talking Biotech, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Scott Angle, University of Florida Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, to explore the future of agriculture, AI …
Show notes
Celebrating 500 episodes of Talking Biotech, Kevin Folta interviews Dr. Scott Angle, University of Florida Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, to explore the future of agriculture, AI innovations, and Florida's agricultural landscape. Discover insights on technology, workforce development, and sustainable farming practices.
Biotech Mold Detection and Health - Brian Karr
In this episode of Talking Biotech, we explore cutting-edge biotech tools that are transforming how we detect and address indoor environmental health issues, particularly mold and microbes. With new, highly …
Show notes
In this episode of Talking Biotech, we explore cutting-edge biotech tools that are transforming how we detect and address indoor environmental health issues, particularly mold and microbes. With new, highly sensitive methods, we're moving beyond traditional inspection techniques to more precise, source-level detection—crucial for health outcomes.
Dr. Neil Stewart-Radiation Sensing Potatoes
Plants can't get up and walk away from stress or predators, so they've evolved sensitive systems to sense and in some cases anticipate changes in their environment. Now, there's sensors to light, to humidity …
Show notes
Plants can't get up and walk away from stress or predators, so they've evolved sensitive systems to sense and in some cases anticipate changes in their environment. Now, there's sensors to light, to humidity, to touch, to gravity, to dozens of other prevailing factors that push information from the external environment into the nucleus, shaping gene expression and adapting.
To that change. Now, the fun part about this in today's era of synthetic biology is that the plant sensor and response systems are basically a toolbox. They're a template for synthetic innovation, as we can use their sense and response systems to work for us. Now, a number of plant-based sensors have been developed over the years.
We're speaking with Dr. Neil Stewart. He's the professor in the plant department of plant sciences at the University of Tennessee and also the co-director of agricultural synthetic biology. So you've invented a potato plant that senses radiation to let us know it's there. So why do we need a plant radiation sensor?
Milk Proteins without the Dairy - Adam Tarshis and Dr. Cory Tobin
The proteins that give cheese its unique elasticity and eating quality are challenging to create outside of the cow. However, the team at Mozza has developed a method to generate the milk proteins in soybeans …
Show notes
The proteins that give cheese its unique elasticity and eating quality are challenging to create outside of the cow. However, the team at Mozza has developed a method to generate the milk proteins in soybeans, exploiting the potential massive scale of field crop production, and providing a dairy-free source of these important proteins. Today's podcast interviews Adam Tarshis and Dr. Cory Tobin from Mozza.
New Technology in Severe Burn Care - Dr. Katie Bush
Severe burns require specialized care and long healing times at great expense. This week's Talking Biotech podcast explores the latest advancements in burn treatment technology with Dr. Katie Bush from Aveda …
Show notes
Severe burns require specialized care and long healing times at great expense. This week's Talking Biotech podcast explores the latest advancements in burn treatment technology with Dr. Katie Bush from Aveda Medical. Discover how innovative cell therapies and regenerative techniques are transforming wound healing, reducing hospital stays, and improving cosmetic outcomes.
00:00
Introduction to Burn Care Innovations02:13
Understanding Burn Physiology05:18
Challenges in Traditional Burn Treatments08:04
Revolutionizing Burn Treatment with Resell Technology11:06
Mechanisms of Resell Technology14:04
Operational Impact on Burn Centers16:42
Exploring Additional Applications of Resell19:37
Future Directions in Burn Care TechnologyMolecular Residue Cancer Detection - Dr. Nate Montgomery
This episode explores the latest advancements in personalized DNA and RNA technologies for early cancer detection, diagnostics, and treatment monitoring. New technologies identify molecular signatures of tumors …
Show notes
This episode explores the latest advancements in personalized DNA and RNA technologies for early cancer detection, diagnostics, and treatment monitoring. New technologies identify molecular signatures of tumors that help predict onset and re-occurrence of disease. Dr. Nathan Montgomery from Neo Genomics Laboratories discusses how molecular residual disease testing, liquid biopsies, and genomic sequencing are transforming oncology care.
Strategies in Combating Chronic Kidney Disease - Dr. Salvatore Viscomi
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pressing health issue that affects over a billion people worldwide, yet it often goes unnoticed until it's too late. In this post, we'll explore insights from Dr. Salvatore …
Show notes
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pressing health issue that affects over a billion people worldwide, yet it often goes unnoticed until it's too late. In this post, we'll explore insights from Dr. Salvatore Viscomi, the CEO and founder of Carna Health, who sheds light on the alarming prevalence of CKD, its underlying causes, and the innovative solutions being implemented to address this global health crisis.
Resources & Links:
- Carna Health Official Website
- LinkedIn Profile of Salvadore Viscomi
- Siemens Biomarker Testing Solutions
- FDA Clearances for Point of Care Testing Devices
Connect with Dr. Salvator Viscome:
AI and the Future of Healthcare -- Dr. Emilia Javorsky
This week's Talking Biotech Podcast examines the realistic potential of AI in cancer research and healthcare, emphasizing data quality, individualization, and system reform. Guest: Dr. Emilia Javorsky, Future …
Show notes
This week's Talking Biotech Podcast examines the realistic potential of AI in cancer research and healthcare, emphasizing data quality, individualization, and system reform. Guest: Dr. Emilia Javorsky, Future of Life Institute.
The First Environmental GE Organism Release - almost! Dr. Steven Lindow
This episode explores the pioneering work on ice minus bacteria and their role in frost damage prevention in plants. Dr. Steven Lindow shares insights into early biotech innovations, regulatory challenges, and …
Show notes
This episode explores the pioneering work on ice minus bacteria and their role in frost damage prevention in plants. Dr. Steven Lindow shares insights into early biotech innovations, regulatory challenges, and the potential for modern applications of this technology.
New Frontiers in Therapeutic Peptides - Dr. Karsten Eastman
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Karsten Eastman discusses the significance of peptides in biology and their therapeutic potential. He explains the roles of peptides, particularly GLP-1 …
Show notes
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Karsten Eastman discusses the significance of peptides in biology and their therapeutic potential. He explains the roles of peptides, particularly GLP-1 therapeutics, and the challenges associated with their stability and bioavailability. The conversation delves into nature's strategies for enhancing peptide stability and how Sathera Therapeutics is innovating in this space to create more effective peptide-based therapies. The discussion also touches on the business model of Sathera and its focus on rare cancers and anti-inflammatory treatments.
Genetic Variation in Vegetative Propagation - Dr. Danelle Seymour
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Danelle Seymour discusses the genetic anomoliies observed in the vegetative propagation of tree crops, particularly citrus. The conversation delves into the …
Show notes
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Danelle Seymour discusses the genetic anomoliies observed in the vegetative propagation of tree crops, particularly citrus. The conversation delves into the importance of preserving genetic material through grafting, the challenges of genetic variation in vegetatively propagated plants, and the role of mutations in these processes. Dr. Seymour shares insights from her research on the historic Washington Naval orange tree and the implications of somatic mutations for breeding and disease resistance in citrus.
Conditionally Active Therapeutics - Dr. Neela Patel, Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Neela Patel and Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh from Bonum Therapeutics about the emerging field of conditionally active biologics. They …
Show notes
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta speaks with Dr. Neela Patel and Dr. Diane Hollenbaugh from Bonum Therapeutics about the emerging field of conditionally active biologics. They discuss the challenges of current therapies, the innovative mechanisms behind their drug development, and the potential of immuno-oncology to revolutionize cancer treatment. The conversation also covers the market landscape, the origin story of Bonum, and the future directions for their pipeline, emphasizing the importance of targeted therapies in improving patient outcomes.
A Plasmid-Based Cancer Therapy - Dr. Alexander Schneider
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with Dr. Alex Schneider, CEO and founder of CureLab, to discuss innovative approaches to cancer treatment, particularly focusing on …
Show notes
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, host Dr. Kevin Folta engages with Dr. Alex Schneider, CEO and founder of CureLab, to discuss innovative approaches to cancer treatment, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by refractory cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Dr. Schneider emphasizes the evolution of cancer therapies from traditional chemotherapy to more sophisticated immunotherapies, highlighting the importance of understanding immune responses in combating cancer. He introduces Elanogen, a plasmid-based therapy designed to enhance immune presentation and combat chronic inflammation, which can hinder the effectiveness of conventional treatments like gemcitabine.
The conversation delves into the mechanisms of Elanogen, explaining how it targets the P62 protein, which is overproduced in cancer cells, making them vulnerable to immune attacks. Dr. Schneider shares insights from clinical trials, noting the promising results of combining Elanogen with standard chemotherapy, and discusses future applications of this therapy in various cancers and even non-cancerous diseases associated with chronic inflammation. The episode concludes with a call for intellectual humility in science, as both hosts reflect on the evolving nature of cancer research and the potential for new discoveries in the field.
Biotech in Beauty Products - Nicholas Brideau
This conversation explores the intersection of biotechnology and the beauty industry, highlighting how biotech is revolutionizing the production of cosmetic ingredients. The discussion covers the slow pace of …
Show notes
This conversation explores the intersection of biotechnology and the beauty industry, highlighting how biotech is revolutionizing the production of cosmetic ingredients. The discussion covers the slow pace of innovation in beauty, the debate between natural and synthetic ingredients, and the role of AI in discovering new active compounds. The conversation also delves into specific examples like carmine production, the business model of Debut Biotech, and the regulatory challenges faced in bringing new products to market.
Molecular Biology Giants that Left Us In 2025
2025 saw some of the giants in molecular biology leave us. Those that made seminal discoveries in DNA science to those that put it to work in describing the underpinnings of life left an indelible mark on …
Show notes
2025 saw some of the giants in molecular biology leave us. Those that made seminal discoveries in DNA science to those that put it to work in describing the underpinnings of life left an indelible mark on history, and it is fitting that we commemorate their discoveries and contributions.
TB Throwback- Correcting the Veritasium Episode on Glyphosate
This is a throwback to episode 484, a very important correction of their episode on glyphosate. With so much controversy around this compound it is critical to keep the information correct and consistent with a …
Show notes
This is a throwback to episode 484, a very important correction of their episode on glyphosate. With so much controversy around this compound it is critical to keep the information correct and consistent with a 50 year body of evidence when discussing risk and benefit. Veritassium made some mistakes, so here they are corrected so that you can participate effectively in these discussions.
TB Throwback: Gliblastoma and Cindy's Gift
This episode originally aired on December 18, 2021. Cindy Graham was diagnosed with glioblastoma in her late 40s. She fought the disease, and ultimately donated her tissues to research to study the nature of …
Show notes
This episode originally aired on December 18, 2021. Cindy Graham was diagnosed with glioblastoma in her late 40s. She fought the disease, and ultimately donated her tissues to research to study the nature of glioblastoma and identify potential vulnerabilities that could underlie a cure. This episode first features Dr. Shiela Singh, glioblastoma expert who has performed analysis of Cindy's cells in search of a cure. The second part is an interview with her husband, Dr. Thomas Graham. He speaks of the power of her gift, Cindy's legacy, and the hope that cures may come because of her contribution. The fund supports glioblastoma research and student scholarships to enhance the best research in search of a cure.
You can support the fund at www.cindysgift.comTB Throwback: Dr. Avindra Nath and HERV-based Diseases
In today's throwback to 2022, Dr. Avindra Nath of the NIH reviews research efforts in proteins expressed from human endogenous retroviruses. It is a fascinating discussion of how genome relics may be …
Show notes
In today's throwback to 2022, Dr. Avindra Nath of the NIH reviews research efforts in proteins expressed from human endogenous retroviruses. It is a fascinating discussion of how genome relics may be contributing to insidious human disease.
482 Dr. Maxine Thompson, Episode 117, Jan 18, 2015
This throwback episode to 2018 is an interview with plant breeding pioneer Dr. Maxine Thompson.
A Biotech Probiotic to Enhance Fiber - Dr. Zack Abbott
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Zack Abbott discuss the critical role of dietary fiber in human health, the alarming statistics regarding fiber deficiency in the …
Show notes
In this episode of the Talking Biotech podcast, Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Zack Abbott discuss the critical role of dietary fiber in human health, the alarming statistics regarding fiber deficiency in the population, and the innovative solutions being developed by Zbiotics to address this issue. They delve into the science behind genetically engineered probiotics that can convert sugars into fiber, enhancing gut health and microbiome diversity. The conversation also touches on future possibilities for probiotic technology and its potential to solve modern health challenges.
Peer Review and Rigor in Controversial Science - Cam English, Dr. Liza Lockwood
This cross-platform podcast is shared on Science Facts and Fallacies as well as Talking Biotech. Cameron English, Dr. Liza Lockwood and Dr. Kevin Folta discuss the comments made during a rant on the Science …
Show notes
This cross-platform podcast is shared on Science Facts and Fallacies as well as Talking Biotech. Cameron English, Dr. Liza Lockwood and Dr. Kevin Folta discuss the comments made during a rant on the Science Facts and Fallacies podcast concerning the rigor of peer review and alledged lack of self policing in academic publishing. They discuss several papers in the recent public eye, with an emphasis on the process, the media response, and the nuance that is used in academic publishing, review and editorial oversight.
These are the latest 40 of 503 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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