Shows
Illumina Genomics PodcastAI Powered Multiomics: Joachim Schmid on Data Analysis at IlluminaIn this episode, Theral Timpson dives into the burgeoning field of multiomics and its massive data challenges with a veteran of digital pathology, Joachim Schmid. Schmid was recently appointed as vice president of multiomics data solutions at Illumina. Schmid discusses how sequencing costs are plummeting, leading to an explosion in multiomics applications. Yet, with all the data being generated, biologists often lack the computational background to make sense of it. Schmid highlights Illumina's acquisition of Partek, a company that has been developing multiomics data analysis tools, and he emphasizes that empowering researchers with accessible analysis tools is crucial to advancing...2025-03-0323 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonWhy Have Your Genome Sequenced? with Kian Sadeghi, Nucleus GenomicsTheral is joined today by the founder and CEO of Nucleus, a company which began offering whole genome sequencing to everyone for $400 earlier this year. Why should you have your genome sequenced? For that matter, what is your genome, and what is “sequenced?”Kian is a young founder who became passionate about genetics when his cousin suddenly died, and it was later revealed by her doctor that knowing about her genome could very well have saved her.Theral shares his own results from the Nucleus test today, exploring what he learned from his geno...2024-10-2643 min
Five O'Clock with Theral Timpson"Didn't Feel Like a Creeker Boy." Courtney Tanner on Queer Life in Polygamous Border TownSome of us groove out on life in the country. The city has its congestion and myriad problems: crime, high rent, noise. There are so many things one has to think about in the city—for example, a parking space and, oh yeah, clean air. Gone are the myriad stars at night. But country life has its challenges. In Sinclair Lewis’ 1920 novel on this topic, Main Street, a girl from St. Paul, Minnesota marries a boy from the country who is now a doctor. He wants to settle in his hometown. When she first walks down its Main Street...2024-09-1318 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonTraditional Indigenous Foods with Chef Sean ShermanWe’re on vacation this week, so we’re rerunning a podcast from early last summer with Native American chef, Sean Sherman. For those of you who are into fine cuisine, Sean could inspire you in using local and natural ingredients.Sean made news with his restaurant in Minneapolis, Owamni which won the James Beard Award in 2022 for best new restaurant using only “pre-colonial” ingredients, food basics which existed in America before Columbus. Berries, fowl, bison. The restaurant is always sold out. Sean was honored with the Julia Child Award in 2023. “Control your food, and you c...2024-06-0631 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonDo Polygamists Have Minority Status in America? with Shirlee Draper, Former FLDS MemberHow do you define minority in the political sense? Is it merely a group with fewer than half the population? Are polygamists minorities in America beyond the simple math with all that the political term confers?Shirlee Draper is a former member of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints community. When the group was taken over by Warren Jeffs, now jailed for life, she bailed. It wasn’t easy. She says that she wanted to leave the community for six years, but it was less friendly out “with the majority.” Shirlee and Theral come from the same town on the Utah—Arizona border...2024-05-1049 minIllumina Genomics PodcastTwo Industry Leaders on the Growing Complexity of Genomic Cancer DataIn this podcast, Mendelspod’s Theral Timpson speaks to Cara Statz from JAX and Erica Schnettler from Illumina about how their combined technologies are helping researchers and oncologists deal with the increasing complexity of cancer genomic data. They discuss oncologists' experience dealing with an overwhelming amount of new scientific data, and both guests give their advice for new labs setting up cancer testing and oncology clinical research.2024-04-1832 minIllumina Genomics PodcastHow Do You Train Genomics AI? On Natural Selection Itself, Says VP of Illumina's AI Lab, Kyle FarhIn this podcast, Mendelspod’s Theral Timpson speaks to Kyle Farh, VP and distinguished scientist leading Illumina’s Artificial Intelligence Lab. Farh says the company began the AI lab seven years ago when deep learning was just taking off. Two of the team’s AI algorithms, PrimateAI-3D and SpliceAI, published in Cell and Nature Genetics, were among the first examples of deep learning algorithms in genomics. This interview takes a close look at Illumina’s activities in AI and delves into the long-term impact of AI on genomics.2024-04-1828 minIllumina Genomics PodcastIllumina Scales Variant Calling and Genome Interpretation to Improve Gaps in Genetic TestingIn this podcast, Mendelspod’s Theral Timpson is joined by Sam Strom, a principal scientist at Illumina with a background in clinical testing. In this interview, Sam addresses two of the big challenges in clinical sequencing, which are variant calling and variant interpretation. Sam says Illumina has created its own multi-sample genomic reference and is also making use of artificial intelligence to improve variant calling. He also shares how Illumina supports scaling variant interpretation for genomes and other assays with an AI and automation comprehensive solution, enabling high-quality genetic testing workflows to reach next level accessibility.2024-04-1831 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonThe Challenge of Expressive Performance in AI Music with Richard TimpsonThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.fivewiththeral.comThere is nothing more human than the creation and appreciation of music, says today’s guest, Richard Timpson. A few years ago, as part of his undergraduate degree, he wrote a thesis entitled Modeling Expressive Musical Performance with Transformers. Today, Richard is a software engineer working at Salesforce with a passionate interest in AI music generation. He also happens to be Theral's nephew.2024-04-0505 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonChum Chats: Sean TanameraTheral pushes “record” during another chat with friend Sean Tanamera. From current events to rapping ancient poetry, relax to the rhythm of amicable conversation.Special Offer from the Sponsor: Let’s face it, after a night with drinks, I don’t bounce back the next day like I used to. I have to make a choice: I can either have a great night OR a great next day. That is until I came across Zack and his genetically engineered probiotic. ZBiotics is offering the Mendelspod audience 15% off your first order. Click here and use discount code “THE...2024-02-1530 min
Five O'Clock with Theral Timpson"Closer To Truth" Host, Robert Lawrence Kuhn, on the Biggest Questions of AllAre the brain and mind the same thing? Is the universe fine-tuned for consciousness? What is consciousness? These are some of the questions that Robert Lawrence Kuhn has asked leading scientists and philosophers for years on the PBS and YouTube series Closer to Truth. We’re excited to welcome Robert to Five O’Clock to preview a new series, Philosophy of Biology, which premiered this month on PBS. In his work, Robert asks some of the biggest questions more consistently than anyone I know.Show titles in the new series include Why Philosophy of Biology?, Reducti...2023-12-2148 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonThis Is Ukraine’s 1776: Rostyslav SemikovAt a recent biotech conference, I met Ukrainian American Rostyslav Semikov. He agreed to come to Five O’Clock to talk about the war going on in his country, what he says is their “War of Independence, their 1776.”Rostyslav’s parents live in Ukraine near the Zaphorisia nuclear power plant. Not only are bombs dropping around them, but there could be a horrible nuclear accident. “Every time we talk, they say we may not see you. And if something happens to us, we love you,” he says at the outset of today’s show.What is the history of the cultures betwee...2023-12-1436 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonIn the Vineyard with Winemaker John DelaneyChapters:0:00 Malvasia Blanc, a winner in this year’s harvest. How do you choose varietals?8:20 What is the diurnal shift?13:35 Why single varietals?17:20 Today’s trends22:15 Wine for Thanksgiving?Southern Utah is home to some of the nation’s choice national and state parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyons. But there are more than park trails. The region now boasts one of America’s newest wine trails.For our pre-Thanksgiving show, we’re coming to you from the Bold and Delaney Vineyard in Dammeron Valley just outsi...2023-11-1624 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonBen Laude on Interviewing Today's Great PianistsChapters:0:00 Tonebase and celebrity pianists5:45 Seymour Bernstein21:10 Thoughts on Glenn Gould35:45 The classical music listenerWill we look back on the pandemic as the great age of YouTube? Of all the online platforms, YouTube has delivered me the most value. The promise of the internet was that it would connect us with our peeps, with those of like mind. Whereas Facebook re-connected us with our high school crowd, YouTube puts us in touch with our current deep interests, and not just once or twice, but the algorithms deliver steady content that is tailored for us.For me, this has included a ch...2023-11-0950 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonThe Art of Friendly Conversation with Sean TanamaraThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.fivewiththeral.comChapters:0:00 Natural kinds15:30 Generative AI22:15 Our sponsors29:00 TiktokHost Theral Timpson and guest Sean Tanamara explore their friendship in a conversation about philosophy and current trends.Five O'Clock with Theral Timpson is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid…2023-10-2704 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonZack Abbott on GMOs and ZBiotics' Solution to Tough Mornings after DrinkingChapters: 0:00 Hangover biology8:12 Concern over GMOs: what is “natural?”26:36 The age of synthetic biology33:20 Who’s making the decision: me or my microbes?Many of us enjoy a glass of wine over dinner. Sometimes two. Sometimes more. And we all have our own hangover cures. Lots of water. Some folks say salt helps if you have a headache. Zack Abbott is a scientist entrepreneur and CEO of ZBiotics, a company making a genetically engineered remedy for the common hangover. Most of the toxic acetaldehyde that comes from alcohol is processed by the liver. But some of it goes to th...2023-10-0440 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonGenomicist Nathan Pearson on Ancestry, Racism, and Animal MindsChapters:0:00 On DNA . . .10:45 The human mosaic: We’re all cousins20:25 Days of COVID - A scientist looks inward30:05 Lab leak? The issue of biosecurity43:52 Why do we humans resist knowledge?52:15 Ancestry and racism1:02:45 Root is bringing genetic insights for free1:08:55 Umfeld: Animals and consciousnessToday I’m pleased to welcome a friend to the show, someone who has been a podcast guest of mine many times. For five years we did a monthly show together. Nathan Pearson is the CEO of a genetic testing company, Root. He’s also a brilliant scientist who I admire and respect.Nathan has...2023-09-081h 35
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonChemist Lee Cronin on Origins of Life, Death, and AliensThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.fivewiththeral.com0:00 Origin of life: Assembly theory provides the mechanism for selection before genes come along.14:25 Criticism of assembly theory?26:50 Cancer and death40:49 Why would aliens have different mathematics?This interview with Glasgow-based professor of chemistry, Lee Cronin, was originally recorded on our sister biology podcast last summer. The show cov…2023-08-2415 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonChef Sean Sherman on the Rebirth of Native American CuisineChapters:0:00 Why not more Native American restaurants?4:48 True wild rice, elk, bison, and Owamni’s menu9:27 "Control the food, control the people”—Henry Kissinger13:00 Not just food, but knowledge of food16:40 Engaging with modern capitalism to preserve ancient wisdom25:22 Is there support in the Native American community?27:35 "Be aware of the land."Why aren’t there more Native American restaurants around the country? When you visit a big city, even a small city, you are treated to a wide variety of cuisines in America: Italian, Chinese, French, German, Thai. When was the last time you had Native American cuisine?Sean S...2023-08-0831 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonHow Much Do Our Genes Determine Our Health? Howard McLeod on the Rising Impact of Genomic Research on MedicineChapters:0:00 Why Southern Utah?5:00 How is genomics changing medicine?11:03 New genomics center at Utah Tech17:37 When should one get pharmacogenetics testing?25:10 Impact on cancer care33:32 Early cancer detection36:42 What about diabetes and cardiology?42:17 The future of genomicsMost of us have family and friends who have died from cancer. We also know many who survive it. Whenever there is a cancer diagnosis, we are left asking why. Is it lifestyle, is it family inheritance, or is it random mutations in the genes? In fact, the study of our DNA is revolutionizing cancer treatment. Since sequencing the human ge...2023-07-2750 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonRepublicans Call Democrats Marxists, But Who Really Was Marx? We Ask His Biographer, Jonathan SperberChapters:0:00 Marx is not our contemporary, but from a past world that no longer exists10:52 Two personal losses that shape the young Marx17:35 The early journalist who writes against communism21:45 In Paris, the communist is born24:30 Finding "the proletariat"31:00 Have Marx’s ideas had staying power?34:15 Pushing back on historicism37:13 Marx in today’s politics43:50 What to read?Is Marx relevant today? Our guest on today’s show says Marx was a product of the 19th century and not much mo...2023-07-1148 min
Five O'Clock with Theral TimpsonRobert Greenberg on the Story Behind Tchaikovsky's Violin ConcertoChapters:0:00 The story behind Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto: fearing his homosexuality10:30 Do we let artists off the hook?17:55 Are there Tchaikovskys around today?27:45 Classical music was written by people like us - it’s for everyone33:30 How does great music stop us in our tracks?Welcome to our first episode of the Five O’Clock Podcast. I’m your host, Theral Timpson, and I'm delighted to share this journey with you. Music has the ability to stop us in our tracks, whatever we might be doing. A while ago...2023-06-2237 min
GuidePost, A Podcast Series from The CRISPR JournalGuidePost Ep. 18: Kevin Davies, CRISPR ChroniclerIn this podcast, Mendelspod host Theral Timpson interviews Kevin Davies about his latest book, "Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing".{Episode Sponsored by Mendelspod}2021-04-061h 02
Life Science Marketing RadioWhat Happens When Everyone Chooses Their Own Media Channels?Theral Timpson figured it out early and created a media channel after reading a book. Then he built a business on it. The book is Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your … This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cclifescience.substack.com2015-12-1442 mincc: Life Science PodcastWhat Happens When Everyone Chooses Their Own Media Channels?Theral Timpson figured it out early and created a media channel after reading a book. Then he built a business on it. The book is Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your … This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cclifescience.substack.com2015-12-1442 min
Life Science Marketing RadioWhat Happens When Everyone Chooses Their Own Media Channels?Theral Timpson figured it out early and created a media channel after reading a book. Then he built a business on it. The book is Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your …2015-12-1442 min