Audiommunity

I swear, we know how to count; this episode was originally recorded back in January, but Camilla's audio file was weirdly corrupted. And in this attempt, Chadene's computer exploded, but we soldiered on without her.In this episode, we're discussing Camilla's PhD paper, in which bone-forming cells promote tumors in the lung by activating specialized neutrophils. Yeah, it doesn't make any sense to me either, but it's beautiful work.LinksThe Paper: Osteoblasts remotely supply lung tumors with cancer-promoting SiglecFhigh neutrophils.Blog post (suitable for non-immunologists)Kevin's beers: Whirlpool (from Night Shift) and Conehead (from Zero Gravity)Camilla's beer: A Year with Dr. Nandu

Figure 2 B from https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1716937115 In this episode, Chadene, Kate and Kevin discuss Kate's recently published paper about how STING, once thought to be involved only in defense against DNA viruses, actually slows RNA virus replication as well. Also, Chadene throws herself under the bus, and Kevin manages to only talk for about 20% of the time. LinksThe paper: STING-dependent translation inhibition restricts RNA virus replicationKate's... drink? - TW Pitchers Radler Kevin's beer: Mayflower Brewing Oatmeal Stout

Graphical abstract from the paper. Guys, Matt and I don't charge that much to help with figure design... In this episode, we're talking about Salmonella, and the peculiar way in which it tries to keep you eating to keep you alive. Who knew pathogens could be so kind?Also, Chadene struggles to introduce the podcast, and Kate decides to Kevin 4 years later that we're misspelling the name of the podcast. Too late now!LinksThe Paper: Pathogen-mediated inhibition of anorexia promotes host survival and transmissionKate's Shandy (Sorry, I refuse to put a link to Rolling Rock)Resorb - (eg Scandinavian magic)

Neutrophil grabbing Staph. From Wikipedia No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, and yes, we know how to count... Episode 29 is still in limbo as Camilla valiantly attempts to re-record just her portion. In this episode, Kevin and Camilla discuss Salmonella virulence, and how different strains alter the immunogenicity of pathogens. Oh, and Kate's here too... KATE'S BACK!! WOO!! Dr. Franz has a new job, but is just as snarky and ill-prepared as ever. Plus she refuses to drink on the job.Donate to us on Patreon!Like us on Facebook!And don't forget to share us with your friends so we can grow!EDIT: Sorry if this showed up in your feed late - there was a mistake in formatting :-(LinksThe Paper: Strains of bacterial species induce a greatly varied acute adaptive immune response: the contribution of the accessory genomeShort Path DistilleryOrgan Preservation Alliance (where Kate works now)

Blame Kevin for the delay on this one - it's hard to edit podcasts in Hong Kong.Today (well, three weeks ago), Matt and Kevin talked about epitope spreading in Lupus, and a ton of crazy mouse models that allowed researchers to dissect the way a single auto-reactive B-cell clone can spread the disease party to its neighbors. Also in this episode - Kevin complains about politicians' views on global warming (I can't link the map because of the government shutdown), and Matt totally doesn't have any conflicts of interest on this paper...Donate to us on Patreon! We've got some new goal tiers to reflect our desire for you to buy us drinks. Like us on Facebook! Send us your questions!Links- The Paper - Clonal evolution of autoreactive germinal centers (it's behind a paywall, and we definitely won't send you the PDF if you e-mail us at comments@emmunity.org... definitely not)- Blah, Blah, Blah IPA from 21st Amendment- What Matt was drinking. Not a mistake.

In this episode, we're talking cure for the common cold... or at least, a vaccine for it. Also, Kevin and Matt read the wrong paper, Chadene corrects Kevin's pronunciation of her name (again!) and we give a big round of applause for Dr. Kate Franz (though she's still too busy for us).Support us on Patreon!Like us on Facebook!Leave us a review on iTunes, Stitcher or where ever you listen to us!LinksThe Paper: A polyvalent inactivated rhinovirus vaccine is broadly immunogenic in rhesus macaquesGuardian article about the effort to develop a rhinovirus vaccineChadene's Blog - The SciMinded Idealist (and her post about episode 26)Kevin's Beer - Left Hand Milk Stout

In this episode, we're talking cancer, checkpoint blockade and poop - what's not to love? Also, Camilla is the only one drinking, Matt thinks the study needs more mice, and it took Kevin an extra 2 hours to edit this episode to remove all (he hopes) of his sniffles.Many thanks to our awesome Patrons for helping to make this episoide happen! Head on over to patreon to kick us a quarter or four per episode. If you've got some extra time on your hands, like us on facebook and leave us a review on itunes, stitcher, or your favorite podcast source.LinksA paper-heavy links section this time:The paper: Gut microbiome modulates response to anti–PD-1  immunotherapy in melanoma patientsBackground paper (more mice, so Matt likes this one better)Camilla's recently published paper about bone cells, neutrophils, and cancer

 OMG, Audiommunity is back! With a... vengeance? That doesn't make any sense. But we're back!We've got a couple of new hosts - Please give a warm welcome to Chadene Tremaglio and Camilla Engblom! Kate is still holed up in a cave (lab) trying to wrap up her PhD. But she'll soon return... we hope...Audiommunity is now accepting donations via Patreon. The way it works is that you set up a pledge amount that we'll get each time we release an episode (up to a maximum you set). We'll keep doing this for free, but if you value the podcast, please consider tossing a buck or two our way!LinksThe "original" alcoholic ginger beerThomas Benjamin (Chadene lied... there's no wikipedia page!)Filtered Fecal Transplant PaperEvo Devo (Desposito Cover) - Also check out this guy's patreon page, this stuff is great! 

Path of Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Figure 1 from doi:10.1038/ncomms12684 Audiommunity loves Tasmanian devils, so we bite the shit out of them... In this episode, we're talking about a contagious tumor that couldn't happen to a nicer species. No seriously, it really couldn't. Tasmanian devils bite each other on the face to say hello. WTF devils?And we answer audience e-mail that's been in the inbox for months! I know, I know... we're going to record more frequently going forward - honest!LinksPaper: Rapid evolutionary response to a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devilsGross pictures of devil tumor facial disease

This week - Evidence that viruses drive the evolution of their hosts - who would have guessed? Matt struggles to remember how evolution works, and Kate and Kevin yell past each other about open peer review.We initially recorded this episode a month ago, but Kevin messed up his audio settings and his recording was unusable. So sorry as always for the delay, but we hope you enjoy!LinksPaper (open access): Viruses are a dominant driver of protein adaptation in mammalsSIT'N Listen - A Podcast from Science in the NewsClassic McDonald-Kreitman Test (wikipedia)Kevin's many posts and podcasts about science publicationKate's Beer (between Bud Light Lime and Mayflower Porter): PacificoKevin's beer (once again): Grey Lady

One of many beautiful microscopy figures from this week's paper. In this episode, Matt and Kevin give in to aesthetics. This paper's just really pretty.Also, it overturns some pretty entrenched immunology dogma and does it using fancy new technology. B-cells, germinal centers and brainbow confetti. LinksThe paper: Visualizing antibody affinity maturation in germinal centersThe BrainbowMatt's Beer: Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner

Kiwi's are delicious, but sacrificing their consumption to treat your cancer is probably a worthy trade-off. Image from Flickr user eldholm. Click for source This week, a guy gets a kiwi allergy from a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Matt envisions a magic mouse, and Kate peaces out after 20 min. Meanwhile, Kevin continues to be the only one drinking... that schtick may not last much longer.LinksThe paper: Newly acquired kiwi fruit allergy after bone marrow transplantation from a kiwi-allergic donorGrey Lady Beer from Cisco Brewing

Something a bit different this episiode. Last month, we joined Jesse Noar, host of the excellent Bacteriophiles podcast to record an episode about oncolytic viruses (viruses that blow up cancer cells). We hope you enjoy it, then head on over to microbe world and subscribe to Jesse's podcast. LinksPaper: Myxoma virus suppresses proliferation of activated T lymphocytes yet permits oncolytic virus transfer to cancer cells

In this episode, how parasitic worms alter in immunomodulatory effects of the gut microbiome. Also, Kate expresses her distaste for large datasets and animal experiments, and Matt proposes a weight loss company that will only market to identical twins.

Chemical structure of cGAMP - the "A" is on the bottom left, the "G" on the upper right and the "cyclic" part is that linkage in the middle between the sugars and the phosphate groups. In this episode, we talk about the innate immune system's Trojan cow strategy - using a cyclic dinucleotide as a signaling molecule means that viruses can package the seeds of their own destruction. Meanwhile, Matt and Kate throw Kevin under the bus with regards to alcohol consumption, and Matt expounds on the security threat posed by infectious cattle. LinksThe Paper: Transmission of innate immune signaling by packaging of cGAMP in viral particlesKevin's Lonely Beer Consumption - Jack's Abby trIPLVox article on alcohol consumption

In this episode we talk about lymphatics in the brain and why that's both obvious and not obvious. Meanwhile, Kate drinks disgusting smoothies and Kevin triggers Matt with a trigger warning.Gross Smoothie Recipe2 cups plain kefir2 Tbsp almond butter1 cup chopped baby kale1 banana (Cavendish!)1/3 cup oatmeal1/2 scoop protein powder1 dash cayenne pepperBlend all ingredients, hold nose and consume.  Links:The Paper: Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatic vesselsThe Structure of Scientific RevolutionsLymphatic System 

Taking the breaks off of the immune system can get it to attack cancer cells In this episode, Matt and Kevin discuss checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy (wow, that's a mouthful). When cancer stamps down the breaks of the immune system, cutting the break line can allow T-cells to do their job. Meanwhile, Kate's teeth are falling out of her head, and Matt can't even remember what scotch he's drinking. This episode was recorded Friday, Jan 8th... we're getting better folks. Links:The Paper: Combined Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Monotherapy in Untreated MelanomaThe Guardian on Jimmy Carter's cancer and therapy

Nope... not that Draco. Source This week, we're discussing DRACOs - not the Harry Potter character, a "new" class of antiviral therapeutics that links up the double-stranded RNA-binding part of one protein to the cell-death (apoPtosis)-activating part of a different protein.The paper we're discussing was published over 4 years ago, but the idea hasn't seemed to take off - we'll discuss the promise of the idea, but also our concerns and skepticism, the later of which is particularly important since the original author is now embarking on a crowd funding campaign to get more money to study it. LinksThe Paper: Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Therapeutics (Open Access)The crowd-funding campaign.Rachel Rynick upcoming performance in Dedham, MA

We're back! And I know what you're thinking - it's about damn time. We have excuses, but we won't bore you with them. In this episode, we're talking about the placental microbiome - that is, the bacteria that hang around a developing fetus in the womb. Wait, there are bacteria hanging around a developing fetus? Apparently! Matt also waxes poetic on the immunology of pregnancy, and Kate tells us why family planning might someday involve infecting yourself with worms. Enjoy! PS - We actually have a facebook page now... go like it! PAPERS IN THIS EPISODE: The Placenta Harbors a Unique Microbiome Helminth Infection, Fecundity and Age of First Pregnancy

Finally! This episode was recorded back in June, but I (Kevin) have been super busy (/super lazy) and only now got it posted. For those of you that are still subscribed, thanks for not abandoning us! Though it took some time, I think this conversation was worth the wait. In this episode, we discuss the moral implications of doing experiments on babies without brains, and editing the genomes of unborn humans. I reveal my nature as a moral monster, and Kate can't resist bringing up Kim Kardashian's artificial selection of her own offspring.  

In this minisode, Matt talks briefly about cancer immune therapy, skepticism surrounding the 'cure for cancer', and how a few physicians are trying to use Polio as a novel targeting vector. Unfortunately, Matt is not nearly as good at audio editing as Kevin is (who is now on his honeymoon), so enjoy the rough cut!  Gross, is that Polio? Let's find his friends...

Kevin continues his rant about scientific publishing.  This time asking what it is that journals actually do to justify their cost.Links:Harvard Libraries memorandum on the cost of scientific journals.News item in Nature (itself a closed-access journal publisher) about the costs of science publishing. 

Welcome to spring from everyone at Audiommunity! To celebrate the return of the warm(ish) weather, we discuss a paper looking at immune responses to bee venom, and the underlying causes of environmental allergy. In doing so, we focus in on the mast cell – the immune mediators of allergy and anaphylaxis – and why they may actually be helpful in helping you (or your more worm-exposed ancestors) fight off intestinal parasites. Ever wonder where histamines come from? Why your skin turns red when you scratch it? Why you should never take bee pollen as a supplement? What eosinophils and basophils are? Well we can't answer that last one, but for the rest, give a listen! This is in no way related to the episode, but it's the figure Kate made for a recent review. It's so good, you almost can't tell it was done in PowerPoint

In this episode, Kate discusses an exciting Ebola vaccine candidate. Everything thats old is new again.Read the paper here.

In this minisode, Matt discusses the impact of immunology... IN SPAAAAACCCE...From infectious disease, to gut microbiota, we dive into the immunology of the Mars One project which hopes to send humans to Mars within the next decade. We refer a bunch to a Weber training powerpoint available on the web and provided here. Additionally, we talk a little bit about a recent MIT study which might demand some reflection on our colonizing enthusiasm.Enjoy!

Image from wikipedia This episode brought to you by Kevin's malfunctioning audio equipment and Matt's computer meltdown... seriously, this episode was cursed!But in the end, we had a great discussion about sCD38, a molecule that's secreted in mouse and human sperm, and may play a role in suppressing a mother's immune response to a new fetus. Links: Kevin, podcasting in the dark A review on the immune system and pregnancyThe paper: Seminal CD38 is a pivotal regulator for fetomaternal toleranceWhat's a sith lord?

This is the beginning of a discussion about science publishing (and its problems). My friends are tired of listening to me, so I thought I'd broadcast my thoughts to the internet!I've written about this before, check out here and here.

Kate's first minisode! An explanation about why we should be a bit more measured with respect to the "Vaccine Cautious" - they're not murderers, or idiots, just misinformed.---------Links:The Panic Virus by Seth MnookinThe Strain (do not click that link if, like Kevin, you are weirdly grossed out by eye-related things)

Kevin explains why he's not so bullish on chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T cells) for treating cancer.CAR-T on wikipediaCAR-T to treat CD19+ B-cell cancers (Science Translational Medicine)