Signal

The Chinese hamster has led a secret life in science for decades. By one estimate, 11 biotech drugs that are made using Chinese hamster ovary cells generated an incredible $57 billion in sales in 2013. That's pretty incredible, given the hamster's humble beginnings as a pest in Chinese fields. Listen to learn how something so small got so big. This Signal podcast was produced by Jocelyn Gonzales. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

A deadly new superbug is just starting to surface worldwide. Who is to blame for its rise? Well, us, really. Public health officials are warning we could be headed toward a post-antibiotics world, unless we do something, and fast. So where does Signal start to tackle this story? Inside a cave, of course. This Signal podcast was produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

How confident are you that the drugs you take, whether they're over-the-counter or prescription, are totally understood by the companies who make them? Drug makers know what their products do when they enter your body, right? You shouldn't assume that. In this episode of Signal, we talk everything from Tylenol to fen-phen to Viagra and why you should probably think hard before you take any drug at all. This Signal podcast was produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

In this episode of Signal, we take on a subject that might make some of our listeners feel uncomfortable — but more importantly, it should make some of our listeners feel heard. This time we talk sexism in biotech. Most of us would like to work in places where equality is reality. But in the many conversations we had putting this show together with women across the industry, it seems biotech has a long road still to walk. The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Cancer plays dirty. Like a gangster. That's how it wins. Over the past few years, scientists have been learning its tricks and tactics. They've learned that it’s a master of adaptation, of escape, of armor, and of stealth -- so maybe it's more of a disease ninja than disease gangster. Maybe you should listen and decide for yourself. The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

How do our perceptions of risk, and our outsized — or undersized — fears affect our health? In this episode of Signal we explore the killer snail (flu) and the shark (cancer screening) of medicine. (It's a metaphor, people.) The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

Hi, Signal listeners, we have some happy news to share — Meg is getting married! That means we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks, but fear not, Signal will be back in March with fabulous new shows on how our medicines get made. Take a listen to see what’s up next. Spoiler alert: It includes killer snails.

Alzheimer’s disease poses a huge threat to our health and our economy — more than 5 million Americans are estimated to currently have the disease. But it has been as good at evading treatment as just about any disease out there. For decades, scientists’ efforts in treating Alzheimer's have been focused on a protein in the brain called beta amyloid. Some think that the seeds of the disease’s destruction lie in the protein. But others in the field think that may be a dead end. Who is right? The Signal podcast is produced by Katie Hiler. Illustration by Molly Ferguson for STAT.

An FDA panel reviewed a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy called drisaperson on Tuesday. What it found is not encouraging. The Signal podcast takes a look at what happened and where things go from here.

An introduction to Signal, a podcast from Stat. (Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images)