Shows
Talking ApesHappy EARTH DAY! With Jane Goodall Institute's Anna Rathmann | Episode 67 The Amazing People Behind Jane Goodall What does it take to lead one of the most iconic conservation organizations in the world? In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Anna Rathmann, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, to find out. With a background spanning international conservation, business, and storytelling, Anna brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to carry forward Jane Goodall’s legacy—and build on it for the future.From her work with National Geographic to directing the Great Plains Conservation Foundation, Anna’s career has been all a...
2025-04-221h 00
Genome InsiderSIPs with StandardsStable Isotope Probing (SIP) is a powerful technique for studying microbial communities. These experiments can show which microbes are handling specific nutrients, or what they're doing with those nutrients, and even how quickly. But there's a catch: SIP labwork and analysis can be very demanding. The JGI offers SIP analysis to make these experiments accessible to more researchers. Ultimately, the goal is to generate SIP data that can be useful to multiple teams and analyses.This episode, Rex Malmstrom (JGI), and Roli Wilhelm (Purdue University), share a few different ways they're working to make this t...
2025-04-1521 min
JGI Policy PulseHow Russian Surveillance Tech is Reshaping Latin AmericaOver the past decade, Russian-based companies have been providing sophisticated surveillance technology to several Latin American countries. These technologies are critical to the survival of the repressive regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, and possibly criminal nonstate actors that weaken democracy and threaten U.S. national security. The transfer of surveillance technologies and other cyber activities, often run by Russian intelligence officials directly tied to Russia’s state cyber structures, goes beyond traditionally understood gray zone activities. In this episode of the JGI Policy Pulse, host Leland Lazarus speaks with Doug Farah from the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies to...
2025-02-2031 min
JGI Policy PulseThe New Silk Road in Science: China's Science Diplomacy in the AmericasAs China continues to increase its influence in the Americas, one area that deserves particular attention is science and technology. While it is sometimes considered outside the scope of traditional diplomacy, science and technology are increasingly important for economic development and encompass a large range of sectors that are critical to the region's growth. These include defense, the green energy transition, and healthcare. Join Leland Lazarus as he sits down with Adam Ratzlaff about China's New Silk Road of Science in the Americas.
Adam Ratzlaff is a PhD candidate in International Relations at Florida...
2024-12-1236 min
JGI Policy PulseSpace, Speed, and Sovereignty: China’s Growing Space Footprint in Latin AmericaThe U.S.-China competition is reaching up into the stars. In the past decade, the PRC has quickly developed its space capabilities, including space-enabling infrastructure across Latin America. National security researchers have raised alarms about how the PRC could leverage its space infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere to monitor U.S. and other country satellites, intercept sensitive information, and even potentially help guide its hypersonic missiles. What is the true extent of the PRC’s space capabilities in the Western Hemisphere, and how does the PRC threaten U.S. and partner nations’ security in the region? This week, Lela...
2024-11-0536 min
Genome InsiderAdopt-A-GenomeIn this episode, undergraduates adopt genomes that the JGI sequenced, but never published in the literature. These students analyze the genomes, write reports, and publish first-author papers, making the data available for future research. Hear from Rekha Seshadri (JGI) and Matt Escobar (California State San Marcos) about how the Adopt-A-Genome project got started. Plus, Kalyani Maitra (California State Fresno) and two students, Angela and Mark Soghomonian share what it was like to take on one of these genomes.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIFind all e...
2024-10-1126 min
JGI Policy PulseBridging the AI Policy Gap: The Future of AI GovernanceArtificial Intelligence has continued to force industries to evolve, but legislation has struggled to keep up at the same pace. Earlier this year, the Jack D. Gordon Institute held the inaugural Florida AI Policy Summit which aimed to address AI policy changes to the state’s legislative body. Today, Mike Asencio joins us once more, this time as guest co-host, as we speak to Gordon Institute Director Brian Fonseca on key policy takeaways from the summit. Together we explore AI’s impact across academia, industry, and the private sector and determine the framework of governance needed.
2024-09-2538 min
JGI Policy PulseNew Dark Alliances: Italian, Albanian, and Turkish Gangs in LACThe Western Hemisphere is facing a 4th wave of transnational crime, and this time the gangs are coming from across the Atlantic. In this episode of the JGI Policy Pulse, host Leland Lazarus sits down with Douglas Farah of the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies to discuss the rise of Italian, Albanian, and Turkish gangs operating in the Americas.
Douglas Farah is a senior adviser to the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE) and founder and president of IBI Consultants, LLC (www.ibiconsultants.net), a consulting firm that specializes in field research studying security...
2024-08-2134 min
Genome InsiderGotta Catch 'Em GallKasey Markel and Patrick Shih (UC Berkeley and the Joint BioEnergy Institute) are looking for new ways to engineer plants. So they’ve looked into wasps that program oak trees to grow structures called galls.In this episode, hear from Kasey and Patrick about how this project unfolded, and how they worked with the JGI's metabolomics program to find out more about these weird little pods.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2024 JGI User MeetingFind al...
2024-08-0124 min
JGI Policy PulseChallenged Sovereignty: Navigating Caribbean SecurityIn the Caribbean, several countries have been disrupted by the increase of “Problems Without Passports” (PWPs). Join us in this episode of the JGI Policy Pulse, as Dr. Ivelaw Griffith sits down with us to break down his insights from his recent publication: Challenged Sovereignty: The Impact of Drugs, Crime, Terrorism, and Cyber Threats in the Caribbean. Dive into the intricacies of sovereignty disputes within CARICOM and where the stability of these nations currently stand.
Ivelaw Griffith is a Fellow with the Caribbean Policy Consortium and Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and Inte...
2024-07-1046 min
Genome InsiderA Redesign for Yeast’s Genome, Chromosome by Chromosome - Jef Boeke, Weimin Zhang & Leslie MitchellTo engineer yeast to do more, and understand genomes in general, Jef Boeke, Weimin Zhang (NYU Langone Health) and Leslie Mitchell (Neochromosome) have worked to replace yeast’s native chromosomes with synthetic versions. This project has turned out to be an international collaboration, with some artistic endeavors along the way. Eventually, the goal is to create an entirely human-generated yeast genome.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2024 JGI User MeetingFind all episode transcripts on our websitePaper: Manipulating the 3D...
2024-06-2820 min
JGI Policy PulseThe True Cost of Crypto: National Security ImplicationsFor good or for ill, crypto continues to make global headlines. While cryptocurrencies have been accepted into Exchange Traded Funds, there have also been high profile arrests of crypto tycoons like Sam Bankman Fried and CZ Zhao. In this episode, we delve into the complex world of cryptocurrencies and their potential threats to national security. FIU’s Mike Asencio sits down with Leland to explore how the anonymity and decentralization of digital currencies can facilitate illicit activities, from money laundering to funding terrorism, posing significant challenges to law enforcement and global security. Tune in to understand the true costs of...
2024-06-1335 min
Genome InsiderForest Fungi, Seagrass, and a New View of SymbiosisThree stories of JGI-supported research, connected to nutrient cycles. Francis Martin and Lucas Auer discuss their work on communities of forest floor fungi. Allison Joy looks into seagrass meadows' carbon sequestration with insights from Adam Healey and Xiao Ma. And Karen Serrano and Benjamin Cole explain their research on the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots. Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2024 JGI User MeetingFind all episode transcripts on our websiteFeature: Getting to the Bottom of Fungal Functions A...
2024-06-1326 min
Genome InsiderWhat Happens To a Rainforest When You Dial Up Drought? - Linnea Honeker and Malak TfailyRainforests store a big fraction of all the carbon on Earth, and soil microbes play a key role in pulling that carbon out of the atmosphere. This episode, researchers take a look at what happens to that storage when a rainforest hits a drought. Tag along with their experiments in a fully enclosed, human-made ecosystem: Biosphere 2. Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2024 JGI User MeetingFICUS programFind all episode transcripts on our websitePaper: Drought re-routes soil microbial carbon metabolism towards emission of volatile m...
2024-05-3022 min
JGI Policy PulseUnraveling the AI Revolution: Implications for National SecurityArtificial Intelligence is revolutionizing every industry in the world, and it has profound implications for the way countries need to think about national security. In today's episode of JGI Policy Pulse, we speak with New America's Senior Fellow, Peter W. Singer, on AI's rapid advancement and how it affects national security. Learn about the opportunities and challenges AI will bring and understand how this emerging technology will shape the world as we know it.
Peter Warren Singer is Strategist at New America, a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, and Founder & Managing Partner...
2024-04-1834 min
JGI Policy PulseFrom Passion to Purpose: Leading Women, Peace and SecurityIn this special episode celebrating Women’s History Month, our host Leland chats with Dui Mora Turner, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel who led U.S. Southern Command’s Women, Peace and Security program. Listen as Dui describes her personal and professional journey: coming to the U.S. from Brazil, becoming an Air Force meteorologist, inspiring young service members across LatAm, and launching FIU’s WPS Forum!
Duilia "Dui" Turner is a Leadership and Foreign Affairs Advisor with a special interest in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an international speaker and lecturer, she ha...
2024-03-2039 min
JGI Policy PulseWhen the Dragon Joins the Club: Unpacking China's Engagement in LatAm Regional OrganizationsOver the past decade, China has expanded its influence in Latin America and the Caribbean in a plethora of ways. But one area that hasn’t garnered as much attention is its engagement in regional organizations. In this episode of the JGI Policy Pulse, FIU Ph.D. candidate Adam Ratzlaff delves into China’s complex relationship with over 30 regional organizations and forums.
Adam Ratzlaff is a PhD candidate in International Relations at Florida International University and the Deputy Director of Global Americans, a DC-based think tank on Hemispheric affairs. Prior to coming to FIU, Ratzlaff conducted political and...
2024-02-2835 min
JGI Policy PulseUnited in Service: Navigating Security Issues Across the AmericasIn this episode of the JGI Policy Pulse we delve into the heart of security challenges shaping the landscapes of Latin America and the Caribbean. In a thought-provoking conversation recorded for FIU students, we explore the nuanced perspectives of a seasoned Admiral on the frontlines of defense.
Our guest, the esteemed Admiral Craig S. Faller, shares insights on the region’s security dynamics, China’s growing influence, and personal values that inspired his service and sacrifice for the greater good.
Craig Faller is a retired four star United States Navy Admiral with nearly four decades of g...
2024-01-3028 minGenome InsiderThe Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 3: Boating Out to David BuoyThis is the third and final episode of our series on a giant metagenome assembly from Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota. In the last two episodes, we’ve covered the specialized software and supercomputers behind this project. But every part of this project depends on lakewater samples — so this episode is a look at how researchers get these specialized snapshots of a freshwater ecosystem.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIFind all episode transcripts on our websiteRelated papers: Species invasions shift microbial phenology in a two-decade freshwater time seriesTerabase-Scale Coassem...
2023-12-2124 min
JGI Policy PulseDecoding International Law in the Context of the Israel-Hamas WarIn this special final episode for 2023, Dr. Shlomi Dinar, dean of FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, joins us with Mario Loyola, a research assistant professor at FIU's Institute of Environment and College of Law. They delve into the complexities of the Israel-Hamas war, unraveling the implications of the conflict through the lens of international and human rights laws.
Mario Loyola
Mario Loyola is a research assistant professor and director of the Environmental Finance and Risk Management Program in the Institute of Environment, an FIU Preeminent Program. He also teaches environmental law...
2023-12-1337 minGenome InsiderThe Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 2: Souped Up ComputingThis series is the story of a giant metagenome assembly from Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota. In this episode: a look at the supercomputing that stitches together large datasets with the assembler program MetaHipMer2.Oak Ridge National Lab is home to two supercomputers — Summit and Frontier — that process terabytes of data with MetaHipMer2. And the National Energy Research Scientific Computing (NERSC) has another supercomputer, Perlmutter that works at large scale. But nearby the JGI, a cluster called Dori is also capable of running smaller assemblies — so we head there for a sense of what this supercomputing looks like.
2023-12-0722 minGenome InsiderThe Megadata of Lake Mendota - Part 1: Many, Many MersLake Mendota sits right next to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. And Trina McMahon's lab has been sampling the microbes of that lake for over 20 years, to understand how the freshwater ecosystem works. So a few years ago, when they set out to analyze 500 metagenomes, it was the biggest project the JGI had ever put together. The next 3 episodes are the story behind that giant assembly from Lake Mendota. In this episode: the software evolution that made metagenome assemblies like this possible.Links from this episode:
2023-11-2126 min
Natural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 24 - Jackie Winter and SMCOn this bonus episode of Natural Prodcast, it's the Self Promotion Episode! Dan chats with new-ish co host Jackie Winter, from the University of Utah, about her secondary metabolism research on weird microbes and bioactive compounds in the Great Salt Lake. Then, Dan talks (maybe way too much) about the Secondary Metabolism Collaboratory, or SMC, JGI's new data portal for natural product biosynthetic gene clusters.Episode transcript at jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-24-jackie-winter-and-smc.
2023-11-1559 min
JGI Policy PulseOne Month After the Attack: What’s to Come for Israel, Gaza, and the Middle EastApproximately one month after Hamas’ attack on Israel, in this special edition of the JGI Policy Pulse your host is Dr. Shlomi Dinar, Dean of FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. Together with Miri Eisin, Director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel, and retired Colonel of the Israel Defense Forces, they go beyond the attack on October 7th to examine additional factors and challenges facing Israel, Gaza, the Palestinians, and the broader Middle East.
Colonel (Ret.) Miri Eisin
COL (Ret.) Miri Eisin is the incoming Manag...
2023-11-0927 minGenome InsiderExperimenting with EcoFABs for Student Labs - Jill Bouchard & Ying WangTo set up flexible, repeatable experiments on plants and microbes, Trent Northen’s group at Berkeley Lab created a fabricated ecosystem – an EcoFAB. These small plastic growth chambers let researchers around the world compare their work consistently. And EcoFABs also work well in the classroom. This episode, we visit Los Medanos College to see EcoFABs in action in Jill Bouchard’s BIO 21 lab course. Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIFind out more about EcoFABsConnect with Ying Wang about her lab at Texas A&MFind al...
2023-11-0922 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 23 - Aaron PuriNatural Prodcast talks to Aaron Puri, from the University of Utah's Chemistry Department. We talked about carbon-fixing methylotrophs, quorum sensing, and inverse stable isotopic labeling.Episode transcript at jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-23-aaron-puri.
2023-11-0337 minGenome InsiderJGIota: A Surprise for Chloroflexota — The First Flagella!To understand how organisms adapt to extreme environments, Marike Palmer and Brian Hedlund study organisms living in hot springs. Hear how their recent work revealed more about the history of the Chloroflexota phylum and a new way of moving: a tail-like flagella. Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2023 JGI User MeetingLinks from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websitePublication: Palmer, M, et al.Thermophilic Dehalococcoidia with unusual traits shed light on an unexpected past The ISME Journal. (2023). doi: 10.1038/s41396-023-01405-0 Ou...
2023-10-1908 min
JGI Policy PulseA Holy Land in Turmoil: The Aftermath of Hamas' Terrorist Attack against IsraelIn our latest episode, Florida International University's JGI Policy Pulse, brought to you by the Jack Gordon Institute at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, delves deep into the unrelenting conflict between Israel and Hamas. Host Leland Lazarus is joined by Eric Lob, an expert in Middle Eastern politics at FIU, to explore the dire consequences of the recent Hamas attack on Israel. This is a continuing saga that goes beyond headlines, acknowledging the human impact and ongoing tensions in the region. Join us for a sobering discussion that delves into the heart of the matter...
2023-10-1322 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 22 - Alison NarayanIn this episode, Dan and Jackie talk to Alison Narayan, from the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute and Department of Chemistry. We talked broadly about the field of "biocatalysis", about her DNA synthesis project with the JGI to explore flavin monooxygenases, and what we all need to do in the future to figure out how to make predictions about the functionality and chemical capabilities of enzymes. Also, the Prodcast formally declares its position on candy corn.
2023-10-0537 min
JGI Policy PulseThe Cybersecurity Frontier: A World Without BordersWith Cybersecurity Awareness Month just around the corner, this episode features Randy Pestana, the Associate Director of Cybersecurity Policy at the Jack D. Gordon Institute. Randy's perspectives stem from his most recent publication in America's Quarterly, where he delves into the prevailing cyber landscape in Latin America and examines how the U.S. can offer vital support. Additionally, we explore several initiatives that Randy currently spearheads, all aimed at expanding cyber education throughout the region. One of these initiatives, the Veteran and First Responder Training Initiative, holds a special place in his heart. Join us for an engaging and...
2023-09-2831 minGenome InsiderJGIota: A Tool to Find the Nomadic Genes that Help Microbes Adapt - geNomadA quick snippet on Antonio Camargo and Simon Roux, a few of the JGI researchers behind software that finds plasmids and viruses within microbial genomes. As mobile genetic elements like viruses spread their DNA, they can affect how microbes cycle nutrients and adapt to climate change.Find all episode transcripts on our websitePublication: Camargo, A.P., et al. “Identification of mobile genetic elements with geNomad,” Nature Biotechnology. (2023). doi: 10.1038/s41587-023-01953-yScience Highlight: You can move, but you can't hideLearn more about geNomad and download itSubmit your own proposal to work with...
2023-09-2005 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 21 - Elizabeth ParkinsonNatural Prodcast's interview with Elizabeth (Betsy) Parkinson, from Purdue, about bacterial signaling molecules and regulation of biosynthetic pathways, semisynthetic cyclic peptides, student mental health, and getting kids interested in microbiology.
2023-09-0736 min
JGI Policy PulseThe Hunt for "White Gold:" Lithium's Impact on South America and the Future of Global Relations
Discover the allure of “white gold” in this month’s podcast episode. As a prized critical mineral driving renewable energy, lithium has garnered global attention. Unveil the core of this fascination within South America’s Lithium Triangle – Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile – home to a staggering 60% of the world’s lithium reserves. Journey through the landscape of major players in these countries’ lithium sectors and grasp their role in the broader strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China. Immerse yourself in an enlightening conversation with our special guest, the CEO of a leading lithium company entrenched in the pulse-racing global pursuit o...
2023-08-3043 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 20 - Brian BachmannNatural Prodcast's interview with Vanderbilt Professor of Chemistry, Brian O Bachmann.
2023-08-1037 min
JGI Policy PulseThe Caribbean's Golden Passport: Chinese Investors' ExodusIn this special episode our host, Leland Lazarus, takes the seat as our guest as fellow Jack D. Gordon Program Director, Mike Asencio, speaks with him as on why more wealthy Chinese individuals are becoming Caribbean citizens. Five Caribbean countries have benefited immensely from CBI (Citizenship by Investment), a program that contributes as much as a third of some countries’ gross domestic product (GDP). Throughout recent years, a growing number of wealthy individuals from China have been applying for CBI in the Caribbean. This raises the question of how affluent Chinese people might use their political influence in the fut...
2023-07-2631 minGenome InsiderMethane Makers in Yosemite's Lakes - Mike Beman and Elisabet Perez CoronelMeet researchers who have hiked, rafted and met local wildlife (a marmot!) as they’ve sampled the microbial communities living in the mountaintop lakes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These lakes are isolated, but varied. They’re a great way to see how climate change affects freshwater ecosystems, and how those ecosystems work. Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGI http://jointgeno.me/proposals Join us at the 2023 JGI User Meeting http://jointgeno.me/JGI2023 Find all episode transcripts on our...
2023-06-2927 min
JGI Policy PulseBreaking the Chain: Investigating the Networks Behind Illegal Wildlife TradeWhen you think of all the transnational organized crime out there—drugs, arms, human trafficking—you wouldn’t immediately think of illegal wildlife trafficking. But it’s the 4th most profitable illegal trade in the world. A global network of traffickers sells shark fins, rhino horns, jaguar skins, illegal fish, and elephant tusks to their global customers. Much of this demand comes from China. In this episode, Andrea Crosta, Executive Director of the NGO called Earth League International, gives us a glimpse into the dark world of wildlife traffickers, and how his team, called the “intelligence agency for Earth” is trying to...
2023-06-2828 minGenome InsiderA Shrubbier Version of Rubber - Andrew Nelson and Colleen McMahanRight now, our natural rubber comes from just one tree species: Hevea brasiliensis. It’s great at producing latex that becomes rubber, but it’s vulnerable to disease and climate shifts. So researchers are looking into a desert shrub that’s native to North America: guayule. This episode was made in collaboration with our friends at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGI : http://jointgeno.me/proposals Join us at the 2023 JGI User Meeting: http://j...
2023-06-2220 minGenome InsiderThe Busy World of Deep Sea Eruptions - Anna-Louise Reysenbach and Emily St. JohnThe ocean depths are vast and dark. But there are hotspots on the ocean floor — underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal vents — where lively microbial communities thrive, and even support entire ecosystems. Hear from researchers Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Emily St. John, Gilberto Flores, and Peter Girguis about sampling these communities, and understanding how they’ve adapted to this extreme environment. Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGI: http://jointgeno.me/proposals Join us at the 2023 JGI User Meeting: http://jointgeno.me/JGI2023 Find all episode transcripts on our websitePaper: Global patterns...
2023-06-1530 minGenome InsiderCrops as Tough as World Cup Turf - James Schnable and Guangchao SunIn our warming world, we’ll need corn, sorghum and other crops to grow well in worse conditions: with more heat, less water and less fertilizer. Grasses do better in these conditions, so plant biologists James Schable, Guangchao Sun and Vladimir Torrres have looked into traits that could transfer from grasses into other crops. One grass they studied just happened to be the same species that covered World Cup pitches in 2022.Links from this episode:Submit your own proposal to work with the JGIJoin us at the 2023 JGI Use...
2023-06-0828 minGenome InsiderSeason 4 Trailer (and sneak peek!)On June 8th, Genome Insider is back! We've got a batch of 4 new episodes where researchers discover the expertise encoded in our environment — in the genomes of plants, fungi, bacteria, archaea, algae, and environmental viruses — to power a more sustainable future.Stick around for a snippet of the next episode. Join us at our User Meeting: jointgeno.me/JGI2023 Find out how to become a JGI user here: jointgeno.me/proposalsOur contact info:Twitter: @JGIEmail: jgi-comms at lbl dot gov
2023-06-0703 minGenome InsiderJGIota: A Biofuel Breakthrough in Anaerobic Fungi with Michelle O'Malley and Tom LankiewiczMichelle O'Malley and Tom Lankiewicz of UC-Santa Barbara discuss the importance of studying anaerobic fungi, as well as a recent discovery that turns scientific presumption on its head and opens up a new avenue to explore for efficient biofuel production.Find all episode transcripts on our websitePublication: Lankiewicz, T.S., Choudhary, H., Gao, Y. et al. Lignin deconstruction by anaerobic fungi. Nat Microbiol 8, 596–610 (2023). doi: 10.1038/s41564-023-01336-8
2023-03-3104 min
Trends from the TrenchesEpisode: 16 - Kjiersten Fagnan on the JGI’s Genome Citation Service That Tracks Genomes Across ResearchKjiersten Fagnan is an applied mathematician enamored of biology’s messy datasets. Now, as chief informatics officer at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI), located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, she finds bioinformatics' computational and data challenges very different from applied math or partial differential equations. Fagnan is the newest guest on the Trends from the Trenches podcast, speaking with host Stan Gloss of BioTeam about JGI’s Genome Citation Service, a new offering that connects the broader community with the organization’s massive data resources and infrastructure. Fagnan talks about the centralized data management system...
2023-03-2825 minGenome InsiderJGIota: Sequencing Shiitakes with David HibbettDavid Hibbett (Clark University) fills us in on the kind of decay that makes shiitake mushrooms special. This week, he 39 collaborators published a paper tracing how these mushrooms have evolved.Find all episode transcripts on our websitePublication: Sierra-Patev S et al. A global phylogenomic analysis of the shiitake genus Lentinula. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Mar 7;120(10):e2214076120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2214076120. The Lentinula genomes are publicly available on JGI’s MycoCosm data portalThis work was supported by the JGI’s Community Science Program. Find out how to become a JGI User here...
2023-03-0205 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 19 - Bill FenicalNatural Prodcast talks to Prof William Fenical of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego about the beginnings of marine natural products, his experiences in drug discovery, and exploring marine bacteria.
2023-02-091h 03Natural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 18 - A CSP PrimerIt's a crossover episode! Menaka Wilhelm, from JGI's Genome Insider, and I talk about how to work with the JGI, specifically in the form of the Community Science Program, or CSP. We talked to Deputy of User Programs, Tanja Woyke and Project Manager Miranda Harmon-Smith about all the details of what makes a good CSP, how to apply for one, and what happens once it starts.
2023-01-2537 minGenome InsiderWork With the JGI! Tips for a Winning CSP ProposalThe JGI’s Community Science Program gives researchers access to all kinds of sequencing, ‘omics and bioinformatics capabilities — and it’s open to scientists at any career stage, anywhere in the world, for free. We accept new projects related to energy and the environment several times a year. A few proposal calls have deadlines coming up – in January, March, and later on in the spring.In this episode, hear proposal tips from Tanja Woyke, who runs user programs at the JGI, and project manager Miranda Harmon-Smith, who helps shepherd CSP projects along. Find more information about propo...
2022-12-1630 minGenome InsiderJGIota: Looking Back at How Cow Rumen Samples Landed on a SyllabusBack in 2011, JGI-supported researchers published a paper in the journal Science. They’d used metagenomics to sift for microbial genes encoding carbohydrate-chomping enzymes in cow rumen — and found 27,000 candidates. The data from that study is now used across California State University campuses for biotechnology education as part of a course-based undergraduate resource experience. Hear from CSU San Marcos Professor Matt Escobar and UC Davis Associate Professor Matthias Hess, also the chair of the JGI User Executive Committee, on how that study went from the lab to the classroom. Links from this episode:Fin...
2022-11-1708 minGenome InsiderFrom Sample Shipments to Sequences – A Tour of the JGI’s Sequencing PipelineEvery year, the JGI sequences around 35,000 samples — from plants, algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses — to support scientists around the world. Most of those researchers send their samples in from afar, without ever hearing much about the sequencing lab. So today, Chris Daum walks through the JGI’s sequencing pipeline, where there are freezers with names — but not doors — and robots handle a bunch of benchwork.Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGIWebinar: Long-read sequencing for metagenomics and DNA modification detectionOur contact info:Twitter: @JGIEmail...
2022-11-0318 minGenome InsiderJGIota: Looking Back at Methane-Making MicrobesWe count on livestock for food and fiber, but raising these animals also produces an atmosphere-warming gas: methane. Those emissions mainly come from gut microbes — the bacteria and archaea breaking down plant matter. So since 2010, the JGI has supported researchers studying those microbial methane-makers. Eventually, that could help us dial back their emissions, while still producing things like meat, milk, and wool. Hear more from JGI collaborators Sinead Leahy (New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre) and Bill Kelly (AgResearch).Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteJGI@25 St...
2022-10-0607 minGenome InsiderThe Fungi That Survive In AntarcticaBlack fungi are microscopic and mighty. They survive everywhere from Antarctica to Joshua Tree National Park, despite extremely harsh conditions. And their survival secrets could one day help other organisms survive hotter, drier climates. So University of Tuscia researchers Laura Selbmann and Claudia Coleine are working with scientists from around the world – and the JGI – to understand them better.Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteIntegrated Microbial Genomes and MicrobiomesSubmit a proposal to work with the JGIOur contact info:Twitter: @JGIEmail: jgi-comms at lbl dot govGeno...
2022-09-2218 minGenome InsiderJGIota: Looking Back at Sequencing for SoybeansThe soybean is a crop that could boost biofuels and fertilize fields. So in 2010, the JGI helped publish the original genome sequence for the soybean, Glycine max. With a full genome sequence, researchers have been able to look into soybean’s strengths – along with a fungus that threatens this important crop. Hear more about that work from researchers Gary Stacey (University of Missouri), Peter van Esse (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Sebastien Duplessis (INRAE).Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteThe original Glycine max sequence: NatureOur contact info:Twitter: @JGIEmail: jgi-comms at l...
2022-09-1506 minGenome InsiderBetter Crops With a Pointillist Approach to Plant GenomicsIn this episode, we peer into plant cells. Researchers are using measurements from single cells to understand which genes help plants grow, get nutrients, weather drought, and more. And eventually, their findings could help us grow better crops, with less impact on our planet.Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteMonet’s Waterloo Bridge at Sunset (1904)Serat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884)Submit a proposal to work with the JGI: https://jointgeno.me/proposals Margot’s 2021 Berkeley Lab SLAM talk Genome Insider is a production of the Joint Ge...
2022-08-2518 minGenome InsiderJGIota: The Algae Nicknamed ‘Chlamy’This shorter episode is about a tiny, single-celled alga – Chlamydomonas reinhardtii – that’s managed to have a big impact. UC Berkeley plant biologist Sabeeha Merchant explains why she works on this alga, how researchers managed to sequence its genome, and what it has to teach us about other organisms – like plants. Links from this episodeFind all episode transcripts on our websiteChlamydomonas reinhardtii on Phytozome and PhycoCosm The original sequence: ScienceOur contact info:Twitter: @JGIEmail: jgi-comms at lbl dot govGenome Insider is a production...
2022-08-1106 minGenome InsiderChomping Toward Better Plastic RecyclingWe know all kinds of things about plastic – except, how to break it down for recycling. But some hungry insects can digest plastic. So researchers are taking a look at how these critters process plastic, to improve plastic recycling by following their lead. Links from this episode:Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!Genome Insider is a production of the Joint Genome Institute. --Sound Effects Credits:"Splash, Small, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jsha...
2022-07-2821 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 17 - Cassandra QuaveNatural Prodcast's Dan and Alison talk to Dr Cassandra Quave of Emory University, and author of The Plant Hunter. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-17-cassandra-quave/
2022-04-1954 minGenome InsiderFilling in the Plant Tree of LifeWhat if we understood plants and how they adapt to their ever-changing environments better? We could unlock new innovations to drive more productive food, medicine, and bioenergy crops. But most available genomes are from narrow swaths of the plant tree of life. One project aims to change that. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2022-02-0822 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 16 - Marcy BalunasNatural Prodcast presents our interview with Professor Marcy Balunas, currently at the University of Connecticut's Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences but soon moving to the University of Michigan's Department of Microbiology and Immunology. In this episode, we discuss her work in in many areas of chemical exploration of natural products for bioactive compound discovery, understanding symbiosis, and a JGI project around ants and their fungus farms. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-16-marcy-balunas/
2022-01-2845 min
The Jane Goodall HopecastDr. Lilian Pintea: Hope Is Unlocking the Potential of Science, Tech, & Tools to Create a Brighter Future for People, Animals, & the PlanetIn this episode of the Hopecast, Dr. Jane Goodall is joined by Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute USA. Dr. Pintea has been with JGI for over 17 years and in his current role, he oversees all science activities and functions at JGI, supporting departments and country offices by integrating research, analysis, tools, and technological innovation to support JGI’s mission. In Jane’s words, he’s a “brilliant and innovative scientist with a deep understanding and respect for the people and wildlife he works with.” And, one of her favorite people. In this fires...
2021-12-2124 minGenome InsiderCreating an Energy Market for MiscanthusWhat grass is a prized ornamental and a bioenergy plant? Meet Miscanthus, an attractive addition to your garden and a potential fuel for the future. But, to be competitive in the market, both energy policy and Miscanthus will need some upgrades. In this episode, hear from scientists working on understanding Miscanthus biology and the economic terrain to help make the plant a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-11-2322 minGenome InsiderDispatches From JGI InternsEvery summer, the JGI invites undergraduate and graduate students from the University of California, Merced to participate in the flagship JGI-UC Merced Internship Program and engage in real, impactful research projects with JGI mentors. In this episode, hear two interns from the 2021 cohort describe their deep dives into genomics, computational tools, and big data. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-10-1923 minGenome InsiderTHE Bioenergy TreeThe US Department of Energy’s favorite tree is poplar. They’re the fastest growing trees in the Northern Hemisphere, making them tantalizing plants to harness for bioenergy. In this episode, hear from Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists who have uncovered remarkable genetic secrets that bring us closer to making poplar an economical and sustainable source of energy and materials. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-09-1425 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 15 - Katherine DuncanThis is Natural Prodcast's conversation with Professor Katherine Duncan from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Dr Duncan's work focuses on marine microbial chemical ecology. We also discuss Actinobase, molecular networking, and the future of integrated secondary metabolism data. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-15-katherine-duncan/
2021-08-3047 minGenome InsiderBack to the Future! A Sorghum StoryYou might know sorghum as an edible grain. But there are some sorghum varieties, grown on marginal land with little water, which were developed specifically to turn their biomass into sustainable biofuel and bioproducts. John Mullet, a biologist at Texas A&M University, tells us how sorghum’s historical — and literal — roots could play a big role in our energy future.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-08-1022 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 14 - Nigel MounceyOur guest on this episode is Dr Nigel Mouncey, JGI's Director, and also lead of the JGI's Secondary Metabolites Science Program. Since his arrival in 2017, Nigel has led a vision for the JGI that sees secondary metabolism analysis and research as a driver for novel technologies that can serve all JGI users. Nigel has a long scientific background in pathway and gene regulation, and a distinguished career in industry developing natural products for commercial use. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-14-nigel-mouncey/
2021-08-0941 minGenome InsiderA Powerful Technique to Study Microbes, Now EasierLawrence Livermore National Lab biologist Jennifer Pett-Ridge collaborated with JGI scientists on an ambitious project: to bring in robots to help process experiments that measure microbial activity in soil. Now, the researchers and robots have made these experiments easier for scientists everywhere.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-06-0809 minGenome InsiderParty in the RhizosphereThere’s a party in the soil, and microbes are the VIPs. They’re feasting on the compounds that plants secrete through their roots, creating a lively zone called the rhizosphere. In this episode, biologist Jennifer Pett-Ridge of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has your backstage pass.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-05-1825 minGenome InsiderBetter Living Through BioenergyBiofuels and bioproducts are a way to kick our addiction to fossil fuels. In this episode, we get a peek into how scientists Aindrila Mukhopadhyay and Steve Singer are harnessing the versatile bacterium Pseudomonas putida to break down biomass and help bring about a more sustainable, bio-based economy. They conduct research at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a JGI partner and one of the four US Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-04-1328 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 13 - Francisco Barona GomezIn this episode of the podcast, we talked a lot about terminology, especially around "secondary metabolism" versus "specialized metabolism" and "primary metabolism" versus "centralized metabolism" and why and how they're different when we take things from a human-centric view rather than a microbe-centric one. It was so fun, and I learned a ton. I hope you will too! Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-13-francisco-barona-gomez/
2021-03-1048 minGenome InsiderCracking the Secrets of the Diatom’s ShellDiatoms, a group of tiny algae, are also known as “living opals” because of the strange, beautiful properties of their silica shells. But what genes are responsible for such mesmerizing exteriors? Setsuko Wakao and Kris Niyogi, biologists at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, aim to find out. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-03-0917 minGenome InsiderExploring the Diversity of the American Prairie’s SwitchgrassA tall native plant of the North American prairie, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has long been a tantalizing potential biofuel feedstock. But switchgrass has a complex genome and, as a species, encompasses dizzying diversity. So, a team of scientists made an ambitious plan to link the plant’s diverse traits — height, biomass, hardiness to cold, etc. — to its genes. The undertaking took shovels, trucks — and more than a decade. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2021-02-0418 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 12 - Nadine ZiemertThis is our interview with Nadine Ziermert, from the University of Tubingen. This continues our short series of genome mining, the science of examining DNA sequence to try and predict the structures of secondary metabolites and to understand their evolution. It was a fun, wide-ranging conversation, where we talked about our shared experience working with the marine bacteria Salinispora at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, her accidental entry into data analysis, the evolution of secondary metabolite pathways as viewed through metagenome studies, and what more JGI and others can do to enable progress in this area of natural products. Transcript...
2020-12-2239 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 11 - Marnix MedemaIn this episode, Alison and I talk to Marnix Medema, from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Marnix and his collaborators have a fantastic set of software tools for exploring secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Most people in the field are going to be familiar with AntiSMASH, which is available for analysis of your genomes on the web, or you can download a docker container or Anaconda/bioconda package or the source code and run it yourself on your own computer. MIBiG is a repository of experimentally characterized and manually annotated BGCs. And now BiG-SCAPE and/or BiG-SLICE can...
2020-11-2453 minGenome InsiderThe Soil Blooms GreenEvery fall, a mysterious green growth appears on farmers’ fields: a microbial community that might be quietly improving the soil. Penn State researchers Mary Ann Bruns and Terry Bell are digging in to understand how. We hope you enjoy this last episode of Season 1! Stay tuned for Season 2, coming in 2021.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-11-1116 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 10 - A Primer on Genome MiningThis is one of our "Primer" episodes, in which Alison and Dan discuss the science of genome mining. We talk about the California Gold Rush (it's relevant! I promise!), talk about how genome sequencing has changed genome mining over the years, and we talk about a new publication out of the JGI in which Dan conducted genome mining on metagenome-derived genomes. Check out http://naturalprodcast.com for show notes with links to papers and other learning resources. Transcript at https://archive.jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-10-primer-genome-mining/
2020-11-0947 minGenome InsiderA Plantiful Future: Xiaohan YangCan plants help humans attain a renewable energy future? Can they help lock away more carbon? Xiaohan Yang, a scientist at Oakridge National Laboratory, believes they can. And, what’s more, that using gene editing technology to conscientiously mix traits of different plant species will help us get there. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-10-1320 minGenome InsiderDecoding Yellowstone’s Microbial MatsLife as we know it wouldn’t exist without cyanobacteria; they began oxygenating Earth over two billion years ago. A team of researchers set out to Yellowstone National Park to study how cyanobacteria are living, communally, in microbial mats. Along the way, they’ve encountered surprises, adopted new technologies, and made a few discoveries about the microbial mat denizens. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-09-0928 minGenome InsiderHow Microbes Can Protect Plants in Drier StraitsA mini-episode: JGI collaborator Pankaj Trivedi is harnessing microbiome science to make plants more resilient to drought. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-08-1106 minGenome InsiderCorals in Hot Water Get Help From Their MicrobesAs waters warm due to climate change, corals are in mortal peril. But corals comprise multiple organisms: a coral host, a photosynthetic microalgae, and a little-characterized microbiome. When warm waters stress corals but before they bleach, a coral’s microbes, including its photosynthetic partner, may be what helps them take the heat. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-07-1420 minGenome InsiderThe Big Deal About Short PlantsDespite their diminutive stature, “short plants” such as mosses could be uniquely powerful in helping scientists link plant genetic sequences to what they do. But sequencing the genome of one short plant — fire moss — has an unexpected hurdle: ginormous sex chromosomes. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-06-0921 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 9 - Roger LiningtonThis episode features our conversation with Roger Linington, from Simon Fraser University. Roger is a natural products chemist, and his research group works in metabolomics, drug discovery and screening, structure elucidation, and chemical biology. In recent years, his group has turned to some software development in order to build the tools that they need, and The Natural Product Atlas, a high-quality freely-available natural products structure database is one great result. In our conversation, we talk about NPAtlas, and the large international collaboration that produced it, what one can do with all that information, and we muse on how to...
2020-05-1941 minGenome InsiderRiver microbiomes from around the world: Kelly WrightonKelly Wrighton and her group at Colorado State University in Fort Collins have a massive undertaking: sequencing the world’s river microbiomes. And they’re using team science to do it. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-05-1223 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 8 - Eric SchmidtThis is our conversation with Eric Schmidt from the University of Utah. We talk about marine natural products from cone snails, sponges, tunicates, and about the chemistry of RiPPs. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-8-eric-schmidt/
2020-05-0531 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 7 - Ben ShenOur conversation with Ben Shen, from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in Jupiter, Florida. Ben and Alison and I talk about enediynes and their use in medicine, how Ben got fascinated with natural products working on terpene chemistry, TSRI's acquisition of the Pfizer strain collection, and our collaborations to sequence that collection, mine genomes, and develop new technology to access natural products. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-7-ben-shen/As always, check out the show notes and get transcripts for all of our episodes at http://naturalprodcast.com
2020-04-2141 minGenome InsiderThawing permafrost, microbes, and viruses: Gary Trubl — Part 2Gary Trubl, virologist and postdoc at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has more to share about bacteria-infecting viruses in the arctic. He’s researching how viruses influence the flow of carbon in thawing peatlands — and bioinformatics and isotopes are crucial to the quest. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-04-1415 min
From Little ThingsYouthRadio - JGI CEO James ForbesMichaela, Esme, Luke and Reka welcome JGI Australia CEO James Forbes back to Primary Perspectives to find out about some of the great programs and initiatives rolling out in 2020 including mini grants for bush fire restoration projects. James has previously held senior marketing and fundraising roles with some really big organizations including World Wildlife Fund Australia. Plus along with operating his own consulting business, Forbes Philanthropy & Marketing, James is also a Senior Associate with Global Philanthropic and a Marketing Adviser with Food Frontier, so when it comes to steering really important projects that make a difference, James certainly knows a...
2020-03-2317 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 6 - Marc ChevretteThis is a conversation with Marc Chevrette. Marc is a post-doc in Jo Handelsman’s group at the University of Wisconsin, where, among lots of other things, he works on the Tiny Earth project, which you’ll hear him describe. He’s also a really good friend of mine. I met him when we worked together at the late great Warp Drive Bio, a biotech startup where we did genome mining together. Marc was the Head of Experimental Genomics there, before he decided to leave for graduate school and pursue his PhD. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-6-marc-c...
2020-03-1744 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 5 - Brad MooreThis is the second of our conversations recorded at the SIMB Natural Products conference, which took place last January 2020 in San Diego. San Diego, of course is the “home turf” of my post-doctoral mentor, Brad Moore, who has join appointments at UC San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Alison and I were lucky to get some time to sit down and have a great chat with him. I kind of lost count of how many times Brad used the words “fun” and “magical” when describing his science, which is kind of the hallmark or the philosophy of his group and I...
2020-03-1742 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 4 - Nancy KellerThis episode is our conversation with Nancy Keller, a fantastic fungal natural products researcher from the University of Wisconsin. Like we discussed in the primer podcasts, which you should be able to find earlier in the feed, the secondary metabolism field has been dominated for … well, as long as I can remember, by bacterial research. So it was great to hear her passion and enthusiasm for fungi. And we talk a lot about some of the technical challenges to that, most of which seem to be history. Transcript at https://jgi.doe.gov/natural-prodcast-episode-4-nancy-keller-fungi/
2020-03-1735 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 3 - The Primer - part 3 of 3This is Dan again, and you’re about to listen to the 3rd and final part of Natural Prodcast’s “Primer” episodes. This IS the third part, so if this is the first episode you’re checking out, you probably want to go back and listen to the first two parts so you understand what’s happened so far in the conversation between me and Alison. In the previous episodes we talked about the basic science and the history of the field of natural products or secondary metabolism, depending on which term you prefer. In this episode we’re going to finis...
2020-03-1731 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 2 - The Primer - part 2 of 3This is part 2 of our “primer” episode, so if you ended up here somehow without having listened to the first part, you might be a little lost, and I’d suggest you go back and check the first episode out. This one continues the introductory conversation between myself and Alison, and we continue with the basic ideas of the science of natural products, and we dive into the very early history of the field. If you continue on, in the next episode you’ll hear us talk about the modern history of natural products and the state of the field to...
2020-03-1724 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast Ep 1 - The Primer - part 1 of 3These first three episodes were recorded as a longer conversation, which I cut into more digestable pieces. In the first episode you’ll meet me, and my co-host, Alison. We’ll tell you some stories about natural products, so you can get a feel for why I think this is so important, and we’ll start to explain some of the terms and the basics so that you, the audience, who might not be familiar, can start to understand what this is all about. In the second episode, we’ll talk some more about the differences between primary metabolism and seco...
2020-03-1724 minGenome InsiderThawing permafrost, microbes, and viruses: Gary Trubl — Part 1Gary Trubl, virologist and postdoc at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, has more to share about bacteria-infecting viruses in the arctic. He’s researching how viruses influence the flow of carbon in thawing peatlands — and bioinformatics and isotopes are crucial to the quest. Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-03-1013 minGenome InsiderTeaser: Ed HallAlison Takemura tells you about the podcast, and Ed Hall, microbiologist at Colorado State University, talks about how this is a unique time in human history.Genome Insider is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-03-0701 minGenome InsiderTeaser: Monica MedinaAlison Takemura tells you about the podcast, and Monica Medina, coral biologist at Penn State, talks about going from tiny critters to magnificent coral reefs. Genome Insider is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-03-0501 minGenome InsiderTeaser: Kelly WrightonAlison Takemura tells you about the podcast, and Kelly Wrighton, microbiologist at Colorado State University, talks about filters full of microbes. Genome Insider is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-03-0300 minNatural ProdcastNatural Prodcast - Coming Soon!HI, I’m Dan Udwary. I’m a chemist, and I do research to try to understand natural products, and how living organisms do the amazing chemistry that makes life diverse and unique. I’ve been a professor, I’ve worked in the biotech industry, and now I work at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. I love my work, I love this field, and I’ve met a ton of super cool scientists along the way. Now, I want to tell you about them.So, join me and my co-host, Alison Takemura. She’s my colleague at...
2020-02-2801 minGenome InsiderTeaser: Gary TrublAlison Takemura tells you about the podcast, and Gary Trubl, virologist at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, weighs in on what a peatland sounds like. Genome Insider is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute.Find all episode transcripts on our websiteSubmit a proposal to work with the JGI!
2020-02-2201 min
From Little ThingsYouth Radio - JGI Youth Leader Claire BenstedHarry, Jojo and Reka speak with Claire Bensted, from JGI Australia's National Youth Leadership Council about Roots & Shoots and Dame Jane Goodall's upcoming Australian tour. Roots & Shoots is a global network of young people taking action to improve our world. It’s a youth-led action program that is currently making a difference in nearly 100 countries and Roots & Shoots builds on Dr. Jane’s legacy and vision of placing the power and responsibility for creating solutions to big challenges in the hands of young people. Clairehas been actively involved in conservation since she was 11 years of age when she first beca...
2017-06-1313 min