Podcast appearances and mentions of ben barres

A game-changing cell culture method developed in Ben Barres' lab completely transformed the way we study astrocytes and helped me build a career studying their reactive substates.

We've talked about glia and sleep. We've talked about glia and neuroinflammation. We've talked about glia in the brain fog that can accompany COVID or chemotherapy. We've talked about the brain's quiet majority of non–neuronal cells in so many different contexts that it felt like it was high time for us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. After all, glia science was founded here at Stanford in the lab of the late, great Ben Barres.No one is better suited to take us through this history and lead us to the frontiers of the field than today's guest, Brad Zuchero. A former Barres lab postdoc, and now an emerging leader in this field in his own right, Brad gives us an overview of our growing understanding of the various different kinds of glia and their roles in brain function, and shares the  exciting  discoveries emerging from his lab — including growing evidence of a role for myelin in Alzheimers disease.Learn MoreNeuroscientist Ben Barres, who identified crucial roles of glial cells, dies at 63 (Stanford Medicine, 2017)How exciting! Study reveals neurons rely on glial cells to become electrically excitable (Stanford Neurosurgery, 2024)Unlocking the secrets of myelin repair (Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, 2024)Q&A: Linking sleep, brain insulation, and neurological disease with postdoc Daniela Rojo (Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, 2023)From angel to demon: Why some brain cells go ‘bad' (Scope Blog, 2021)Get in touchWe want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu if you'd be willing to help out with some listener research, and we'll be in touch with some follow-up questions.Episode CreditsThis episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with production assistance by Morgan Honaker. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and supported in part by the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Wu Tsai Neuro.Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Neurons have long enjoyed a kind of rock star status. We think of them as the most fundamental units of the brain—the active cells at the heart of brain function and, ultimately, at the heart of behavior, learning, and more. But neurons are only part of the story—about half the story, it turns out. The other half of the brain is made up of cells called glia. Glia were long thought to be important structurally but not particularly exciting—basically stage-hands there to support the work of the neurons. But in recent decades, at least among neuroscientists, that view has faded. In our understanding of the brain, glia have gone from stage-hands to co-stars.   My guest today is Dr. Nicola Allen. Nicola is a molecular neuroscientist and Associate Professor at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. She and her lab study the role of glial cells—especially astrocytes—in brain function and dysfunction.   Here, Nicola and I talk about how our understanding and appreciation of glial cells has changed. We do a bit of Brain Cells 101, reviewing the main division between neurons and glia and then sketching the subtypes within each category. We discuss the different shapes and sizes of glial cells, as well as the different functions. Glia are an industrious bunch. They're involved in synapse formation and pruning, the production of myelin, the repair of injuries, and more. We also talk about how glial cells have been implicated in various forms of brain dysfunction, from neurodegeneration to neurodevelopmental syndromes. And how, as a result, these cells are attracting serious attention as a site for therapeutic intervention.   Well, it's that time of year again folks. Applications are now open for the 2025 Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, or DISI. This is an intense program—highly interdisciplinary, highly international—for scholars and storytellers interested in all forms and facets of intelligence. If you like thinking about minds, if you like thinking about humans and animals and plants and AIs and collectives and ways they're alike and different—you would probably like DISI. For more info, check out disi.org—that's D-I-S-I dot org. Review of applications begins March 1st, so don't dally too too long.   Alright friends—on to my conversation with Dr. Nicola Allen. Enjoy!   Notes and links 3:00 – Correction: “glia” actually comes from the Greek—not the Latin—for “glue.” 3:30 – See this short primer on glia by Dr. Allen and Dr. Ben Barres. For a bit of the history of how glial cells were originally conceived, see this article on Ramón y Cajal's contributions to glia research. 10:00 – On the nascent field of “neuroimmunology,” see here. 14:00 – On the idea that “90% of brain cells are glia” see this article by (former guest) Suzana Herculano-Houzel. 18:00 – The root “oligo” in “oligodendrocyte” means “few” (and is thus the same as the “olig” in, e.g., “oligarchy"). It is not related to the “liga-” in “ligament.” 28:00 – On the idea that the glia-neuron ratio changes as brains grow more complex, see again the article by Dr. Herculano-Houzel. 30:00 – See Dr. Allen's paper on the idea of glia as “architects.” See also Dr. Allen's paper on the idea of glia as “sculptors.” 33:00 – See Dr. Allen's paper on the idea of the “tripartite synapse.” 42:00 – A recent paper reviewing the phenomenon of adult neurogenesis.  48:00 –  See Dr. Allen's recent review of the role of astrocytes in neurodegeneration. 51:30 – A recent article on the roles of APOE in Alzheimer's.   Recommendations Glia (2nd edition), edited by Beth Stevens, Kelly R. Monk, and Marc R. Freeman   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation to Indiana University. The show is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala.   Subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here! We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com.    For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Twitter (@ManyMindsPod) or Bluesky (@manymindspod.bsky.social).

Join us for an inspiring exploration of Dr. Ben Barres's remarkable journey as a pioneering neuroscientist and transgender advocate. In this episode, we delve into how Dr. Barres broke barriers in academia while making groundbreaking contributions to brain science. We discover how his unique perspective on gender in science shaped his advocacy for equality in academia. Learn about his influential research, mentorship legacy, and tireless work promoting diversity in scientific fields.  ---------------------------------------------------------- @translessonplan @mariiiwrld Merch: ⁠⁠⁠https://trans-lesson-plan.printify.me/products⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/a914d2eca1cf/trans-lesson-plan⁠⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------- --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/translessonplan/support

This week, we celebrate the International Day of LGBTIQA+ People in STEM! From Alan Turing breaking WWII codes to Ben Barres' groundbreaking neurobiology discoveries, Sara Josephine Baker saving 90,000 children... LEARN MORE The post

Andrew Huberman: Decoding the Brain, One Podcast Episode at a Time Andrew Huberman isn't your average neuroscientist. He's not confined to dusty labs or cryptic scientific papers. Instead, he's become a digital guru, using the power of podcasts and social media to unlock the secrets of the brain for the masses. With his infectious enthusiasm and knack for translating complex science into bite-sized takeaways, Huberman has garnered a loyal following on the "Huberman Lab" podcast, reaching millions worldwide. But who is the man behind the microphone, and what journey led him to become the scientific rockstar he is today? From Skateboarding to Stanford: Born in Palo Alto, California, in 1975, Huberman's path might seem unconventional. His early years were fueled by a love for skateboarding and a fascination with human behavior. Yet, a pivotal encounter with Ben Barres, a renowned neuroscientist at Stanford, ignited a passion for exploring the inner workings of the mind. Huberman pursued this passion with dedication, earning degrees in psychology, neuroscience, and ophthalmology. He then delved into the world of research, making significant contributions to our understanding of vision, brain development, and the neural basis of learning and memory. A Scientific Detective Story: Huberman's research career was driven by a deep curiosity about the brain's potential. He wasn't content with simply identifying brain structures or circuits; he wanted to understand how they influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. His work focused on uncovering the intricate connections between brain activity, sensory input, and our internal systems, shedding light on how we perceive the world and regulate our emotional states. From Lab Bench to Podcast Booth: The turning point in Huberman's life came in 2020. Facing burnout and frustrated by the esoteric nature of scientific communication, he decided to bridge the gap between academia and the public. He launched the "Huberman Lab" podcast, using his gift for storytelling and his relatable personality to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable tools for everyday life. His episodes delve into fascinating topics like stress management, sleep optimization, focus enhancement, and overcoming addiction, offering practical strategies based on the latest research. The Science of Being Human: The success of the "Huberman Lab" podcast stems from Huberman's unique approach. He doesn't simply lecture; he engages, questions, and shares his own experiences. He invites listeners into his scientific detective story, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the brain while offering practical tools for hacking their own biology. Whether it's explaining the neurochemical basis of happiness or providing tips for optimizing sleep cycles, Huberman empowers listeners to take control of their mental and emotional well-being. Beyond the Podcast: Huberman's influence extends beyond the digital realm. He regularly gives talks and workshops, bringing his science-backed insights to live audiences. He also uses his platform to advocate for mental health awareness and research funding. A Legacy in the Making: Andrew Huberman's story is far from over. With his insatiable curiosity, engaging personality, and commitment to scientific translation, he's poised to continue shaping our understanding of the brain and empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. He's a reminder that the secrets of the mind are not just for scientists in ivory towers; they are within reach, waiting to be discovered and utilized for a happier, healthier life. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.

Taproot S6E1: May I have your attention, please? Searching for causal mutations and for institutional support. In this episode, our guest is Dior Kelley, an assistant professor in the Genetics, Development and Cell Biology department at Iowa State University. Dior received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2000, and her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of California Davis in 2009 before doing an NIH Postdoctoral fellowship with Jeff Long at the Salk Institute and a second postdoc with Mark Estelle. She joined her department as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in 2015 before moving to her current role in 2019. Dior describes “slim shady is a novel allele of PHYTOCHROME B present in the T-DNA line SALK_015201”, which was published in Plant Direct last year. We also discuss the ways in which the already precarious position of the pre-tenure faculty member with kids was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. We talk about the limitations of giving pre-tenure faculty an extra year to tenure, the challenges of a dual professor couple, and what institutions could be doing–but typically AREN'T–to support young faculty. We hope this conversation helps move us towards solutions both specific to the challenges of the pandemic, but also to more general challenges of young families on the tenure track. Show Notes: Linkan Dash , Robert E McEwan , Christian Montes, Ludvin Mejia, Justin W Walley, Brian P Dilkes, Dior R Kelley. slim shady is a novel allele of PHYTOCHROME B present in the T-DNA line SALK_015201. Plant Direct (2021) 5:e00326. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34136747/ Eminem-The Real Slim Shady https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJO5HU_7_1w Ben Barres video about giving tenure at hiring (start around 3:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0KULrnD6E Laura Helen Petersen substack “The Expanding Job”. https://annehelen.substack.com/p/the-expanding-job Twitter Handles: Dior Kelley Twitter @KelleyDior Liz Haswell Twitter @ehaswell Ivan Baxter Twitter @baxtertwi Taproot Podcast Twitter @taprootpodcast

Flower power! Although they never identified as gay or straight, pioneering scientists Alexander Von Humbolt and George Washington Carver both wrote about their love of flowers and men. Also in the image collage is an awesome photo of anthropologist Margaret Mead with a parrot.It’s no secret that LGBT folks have had a profound influence on the arts but they’ve also had a tremendous effect on scientific discovery even though they often had to hide who they were.Today, we are joined by science journalist Vincent Gabrielle to explore the lives of extraordinary LGBT scientists who changed the world.It's a whole new generation! Science historian and lover of trees Vince Gabrielle directs pedestrians during an Americorps environmental restoration project. Photo: Tiffany Wong{Best of Feast of Fun, originally posted as FOF #2390 - Queer Science - 09.13.16}Listen as we take a look at: • Why so many places are named after explorer Alexander Von Humboldt. • George Washington Carver’s flower power. • How Leonardo Da Vinci almost went to jail for sodomy, • Why anthropologist Margaret Mead’s work still enrages conservatives, • Astronaut Sally Ride’s posthumous coming out, • How neuroscientist Ben Barres came out as trans in response to sexism in academia.and, • What the film Imitation Game got wrong about mathematician Alan Turing?

El laboratorio de Físico Química de las Enfermedades Infecciosas, dirigido por Daiana Capdevila, ganó el premio L'Oréal Por las Mujeres en la Ciencia y el premio Ben Barres, gracias a Rosalind, un dispositivo que mide contaminantes en el agua. Planean aplicarlo en la Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo. Daiana y Sofía nos cuentan todo sobre el desarrollo que les permitió ganar estos premios, y la situación de las mujeres en la ciencia.

In dieser Folge reden wir über geschlechtliche Minderheiten in der Wissenschaft. Warum gibt es so wenige Frauen, die sich für eine naturwissenschaftliche Karriere entscheiden? Warum gibt es kaum gute Studien über Trans-Personen? Zudem stellen wir ein paar Wissenschaftler*innen vor, welche trotz aller Diskriminierung Großes erreicht haben. Unteranderem Ben Barres, Rosalind Franklin und Emmy Noether. Quellen: Meyer-Bahlburg, H.F.L. “Diagnosing” Gender? Categorizing Gender-Identity Variants in the Anthropocene. Arch Sex Behav 48, 2027–2035 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-018-1349-6 Rearson, S. (2019) The largest study involving transgender people is providing long-sought insights about their health. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01237-z Fausto-Sterling, A. (2020) Science won't Settle Trans Rights. Boston review. http://bostonreview.net/science-nature-gender-sexuality/anne-fausto-sterling-science-wont-settle-trans-rights Yong, E. (2018) The Transgender Scientist Who Changed How We See the Brain The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/remembering-the-transgender-scientist-who-changed-our-understanding-of-the-brain/549458/ Barres, B. Does gender matter?. Nature 442, 133–136 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/442133a Hubermann, A D. (2018). Ben Barres (1954–2017) Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-08964-1 Freeman, M. (2018) Ben Barres: neuroscience pioneer, gender champion. Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07109-2 Barres, B. A. (1999). A new role for glia. Cell, 97(6), 667–670. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80777-1 https://www.mpg.de/11968981/rosalind-franklin https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/die-biochemikerin-rosalind-franklin-wegweisend-fuer-die.871.de.html?dram:article_id=481178 https://www.energy.gov/articles/five-fast-facts-about-mathematician-emmy-noether https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Noether

Dr. Steven Sloan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at Emory University. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami before attending Stanford to pursue his MD/PhD. In our conversation, Dr. Sloan shares with us his story of discovering research and medicine and the highs and lows he experienced along the way. We also talk extensively about the importance of mentorship and some of the lessons he learned from his PhD mentor Dr. Ben Barres and how he is carrying that legacy into his own lab. Dr. Barres Autobiography: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/autobiography-transgender-scientist Dr. Barres article on selecting a mentor: https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(13)00907-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0896627313009070%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Credits: Our thanks to Dr. Sloan for taking the time to share his story with us. Host: Bejan Saeedi Co-Host and Audio Engineer – Joe Behnke Executive Producer and Social Media Coordinator – Carey Jansen Executive Producer – Michael Sayegh Faculty Advisor – Dr. Brian Robinson Twitter: @behindthescope_ Instagram: @behindthemicroscopepod Facebook: @behindthemicroscope1

Welcome to Episode 4 of Queer STEM History. Today we are discussing the story of Dr Ben Barres, who was Stanford University neurobiologist and the first openly transgender scientist in the National Academy of Sciences.The transcript for this episode is available at https://queerstempodcast.wixsite.com/website/ben-barresFor more information about Ben Barres check out these links:Ben Barres' autobiography 'The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist' -https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/autobiography-transgender-scientistBen Barres' 2006 Nature essay 'Does gender matter?' -https://www.nature.com/articles/442133aNature article 'Ben Barres: neuroscience pioneer, gender champion' - https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07109-2Spectrum article 'Ben Barres: A transgender scientist shares his story' - https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/ben-barres-transgender-scientist-shares-story/MITPress 'Transgender Day of Remembrance: Celebrating Dr. Ben Barres' - https://mitpress.mit.edu/blog/transgender-day-remembrance-celebrating-dr-ben-barresClaudia M Astorino @claudistics Twitter thread about Ben Barres - https://twitter.com/claudistics/status/11471351626706001972012 study about science job applications 'Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students' - https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/09/14/1211286109500 Queer Scientists - https://www.500queerscientists.com/Please follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueerSTEMHistory/Twitter: https://twitter.com/QSTEMHistoryWebsite: https://queerstempodcast.wixsite.com/websiteIntro and Outro Music: Postcards mastered by Scott Holmes

Asked what one book all MIT alumni should read this year, Nancy Hopkins, Amgen Inc. Professor of Biology Emerita at MIT, selected The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist by Ben Barres '76, published this fall by MIT Press. In this Q&A, Prof. Hopkins shares insights on Barres's career, advocacy, and legacy. Join the book club and the conversation on this book at alum.mit.edu/learn. Episode transcript: https://bit.ly/2EfsF0x

In late December 2017, one of the world's leading neurobiologists died of pancreatic cancer. His name was Ben Barres. He was an extraordinary scientist, advancing our understanding of how the brain works, in particular how certain cells in the brain may contribute to degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. He had also lived the last 20 years of his life as a transgender man. He used his unique perspective of having ‘lived in the shoes of a woman and…the shoes of a man' to become an outspoken opponent of gender bias. As the voice of the transgender community continues to grow in influence, what can wider society learn from people who've been in this rare position of living life as both a perceived man and woman? What does their experience tell us about the nature of gender bias? And does it help us fix it? (Photo: People hold a giant transgender flag at a gay parade. Credit: Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images)

Ben Barres, el neurocientífico que puso el foco de su investigación, desde muy temprano en su carrera, en el estudio de esa otra parte del tejido nervioso que se miraba con desdén, las células gliales, no fue sólo un asombroso investigador sino un defensor de la igualdad de hombres y mujeres en la ciencia. Es que Barres vivió en carne propia la discriminación. Nació en 1954 como Bárbara aunque desde muy temprano en su niñez no se sintió cómodo. Pero no fue sino hasta casi 40 años después, siendo investigadora en la Universidad de Stanford, cuando un cáncer de mama obligaba a una mastectomía, vio su oportunidad de eliminar los pechos que no le gustaban. Luego, con algo de temor al rechazo, optó por un tratamiento hormonal que acabó por convertirla en Ben.

This week, Nicole shares a new way to monitor our gut microbiome and Abhijit tells us how to focus light with a META-LENS. Plus, Nora shines our Scientist Spotlight on Stanford's own Ben Barres.

For decades, the study of the brain focused on neurons, the electrically excitable cells that transmit information. But the work of one scientist shifted focus to the cells that make up half of our brain: glia or brain glue. What do glia cells do? Are they important?

Professor Ben Barres, a highly respected neuroscientist, tells the story of his transition at Stanford University and offers an optimistic outlook for the next generation of transgender scientists and other academics.

This week on Brains & Bourbon, we sit down with Mariko Bennett to discuss the magic and mystery of glia, the future of gene therapy, and why clamato juice is a thing. Mariko is an MD/PhD student in Ben Barres's lab here at Stanford. "Brains and Bourbon" is a show about cocktails and neuroscience. Each week, we invite a neuroscientist to discuss the process and motivation behind their science, and to share their favorite cocktail with us. You have a brain and you like to drink, so come sit down and have a drink with us.

Dr Ben Barres talks about about a molecule in the immune system that is important for eliminating synapses in the nervous system and we hear about a cluster of exciting research including a gene that is important for pigmentation differences in stickleback fish and humans and a protein that controls master regulators of gene expression called microRNAs