What happens when the cells of the nervous system, which are called neurons, die? As approximately 86 billion of these cells are found in the brain, spinal cord, and throughout the body, their failure can be devastating. On this episode, we discuss how our nervous system functions like an electrical grid, nature's impact on the nervous systems of the living and the unborn, and where you might first experience signs of neurodegeneration.
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19:06
Generic Drugs
Generic pharmaceuticals make up nine out of every 10 prescriptions in the United States and in 2025 drugs for COPD, hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer, and many other disease conditions have expiring patents, so can be produced as generics. These drugs are as effective and work the same as the name brands, but typically cost consumers significantly less. On this episode, we discuss how they're formulated to be effective, how they're scaled from laboratory to manufacturing, and why they're so important in improving access and affordability.
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13:39
Antimicrobial Resistance
There are potentially billions of different types of bacteria, which are found almost everywhere. Some are friends while others are foes. For the few microbes that have the potential to make you sick, you can try to kill them with an antimicrobial cleaner or soap, or an antibiotic. But those that survive may actually become stronger. In this episode, we discuss the threat presented by antimicrobial resistance, why it's becoming more of a problem, and why there is reason for hope.
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13:04
Agnostic Detection
New pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi are emerging at an unprecedented rate and spreading faster than ever before. This makes the ability to detect these threats – even unknown ones – more critical than ever. In this episode, we discuss how agnostic detection methods translate customer needs into panel design, their importance in pandemic preparedness, and the trade-offs associated with agnostic targeting.
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12:50
Environmental Exposure
Chemicals are all around us, from the foods we eat to flame retardants in the carpet. But how do we know that they’re safe? In this episode with Dr. Kristin Aillon, we discuss the data that supports public health, whether eliminating risk is possible, and how researchers keep up with an estimated 2,000 new chemicals that are introduced each year.
The words used in science can be perplexing. Join host Erin Merritt and her guests as they uncover their meaning and the positive impact and value of the science behind them.
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