Podcasts about cell fate

This week, our Titan of Science is cell biologist Sara Wickstrom. Her work focuses on how cells communicate with one another to coordinate growth, development, and movement. These insights have just won Sara the Koerber European Science Prize, and, in this episode, she tells us how she will spend her million Euro winnings, and how her discoveries will inform future treatments for diseases like cancer. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Srinjan Basu from Imperial College London to talk about his work on how chromatin architecture and epigenetic mechanisms orchestrate developmental gene expression programs. We begin by exploring Dr. Basu's early work at Harvard which involved pioneering Raman-based label-free imaging, allowing the study of chromatin dynamics in live tissue. Here, he tackles technical challenges faced in visualizing DNA interactions, emphasizing the shift from 2D to 3D analysis and the importance of real-time observation of chromatin behavior under various conditions. This segues into his groundbreaking research on single transcription factors interacting with chromatin, revealing subtle but significant changes in the dynamics of gene regulation. We transition into the complexities of chromatin architecture as Dr. Basu recounts his efforts in mapping the entire mouse genome in single pluripotent cells, unearthing unexpected heterogeneity among cells. This heterogeneity raises intriguing questions about its impact on cellular function, prompting ongoing investigations into chromatin dynamics and the role of remodeling complexes like NuRD in cell fate transitions. Dr. Basu elucidates how recent studies have begun to bridge the gaps in understanding how transcription factors and chromatin dynamics interact during cellular decisions, particularly emphasizing the influence of mechanical signals and the intrinsic properties of cells. His research underscores the idea that stem cells undergo a preparatory phase for differentiation, highlighting the critical balance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that govern genetic expression and cellular outcomes. We also talk about Dr. Basu's current research trajectory, focusing on enhancing imaging techniques to study gene dynamics in tissue contexts relevant to developmental biology and disease states. He illustrates a vision for future projects that integrate advanced imaging tools to investigate transcription factor dynamics and chromatin interactions in live cells and embryos, furthering the understanding of decision-making processes in cellular contexts. References Stevens TJ, Lando D, Basu S, et al. 3D structures of individual mammalian genomes studied by single-cell Hi-C. Nature. 2017 Apr;544(7648):59-64. DOI: 10.1038/nature21429. PMID: 28289288; PMCID: PMC5385134. Basu S, Needham LM, Lando D, et al. FRET-enhanced photostability allows improved single-molecule tracking of proteins and protein complexes in live mammalian cells. Nature Communications. 2018 Jun;9(1):2520. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04486-0. PMID: 29955052; PMCID: PMC6023872. Related Episodes Advanced Optical Imaging in 3D Nuclear Organisation (Lothar Schermelleh) Analysis of 3D Chromatin Structure Using Super-Resolution Imaging (Alistair Boettiger) Single-Molecule Imaging of the Epigenome (Efrat Shema) Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: podcast@activemotif.com

Guest: Dr. Thomas Vierbuchen is Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In this episode, he talks about using PSCs to model neurodevelopmental processes. He also discusses his direct reprogramming work and his lab’s recent study on OTX2 in gastrulation. (42:02) Featured Products and Resources: Submit your abstract for ISSCR 2026! Explore STEMCELL Technologies’ collection of technical videos and webinars on neurological disease modeling. The Stem Cell Science Round Up Restoring Function After Spinal Cord Injury: In a non-human primate model of spinal injury, researchers grafted ESC-derived spinal cord neural stem cells and improved forelimb function. (2:00) Improving HSC Expansion: Inhibiting ferroptosis augments the expansion of HSCs ex vivo. (11:40) Cardiomyocytes and Macrophage Reprogramming: Injury-induced Clusterin+ cardiomyocytes promote neonatal heart regeneration by reprogramming macrophages. (21:27) Bone Marrow Organoids: A 3D in vitro bone marrow model captures phenotypic, structural, and functional features of human endosteal bone marrow niches. (33:03) Image courtesy of Dr. Thomas Vierbuchen Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Paul Tesar is the Director of the Institute for Glial Sciences and the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics at Case Western Reserve University. His lab uses PSCs to model neurological development and disease with a specific focus on oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. He talks about his work on oligodendrocyte maturation, advancing research into the commercial and clinical sectors, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Dr. Mark Hatley is an Associate Faculty Member and Director of the Division of Molecular Oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His research focuses on the developmental origins and genetic mechanisms of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. He talks about his work on pediatric oncology and the mechanisms that differentiate normal development from cancer. He also discusses the role of PAX3-FOXO1 and DICER1 in tumorigenesis.

Denis DubouleCollège de FranceÉvolution du développement et des génomesAnnée 2024-2025Enhancers Sequences and Gene RegulationColloque - Alexandre Mayran : Cooperative Assignment of Enhancer Activity Underlies Pattern Formation and Cell Fate SpecificationAlexandre MayranÉcole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) Suisse

Jonathan Weitzman, professor of genetics at the Université Paris Cité in France, joins Jonathan Sackier to discuss the role of epigenetic events in cellular differentiation programmes, as well as his own podcast, ‘The Lonely Pipette'. Use the following timestamps to navigate this episode: (00:00)-Introduction (02:49)-Specialising in epigenetics (05:45)-Helping young scientists navigate their careers (11:58)-Back to basics: epigenetics (19:21)-The emergence of ‘form' (22:02)-Cell reprogramming (23:26)-The Centre for Epigenetics and Cell Fate (24:28)-Genetics in 30 seconds (29:30)-Intracellular hijackers (35:45)-Who am I? (41:20)-Jonathan's three wishes 

References Guerra, DJ. 2024. unpublished writings. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology2020. 99:86-95 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/support

Mol Cell Biol. 2012 Jan;32(1):126-38 Mutat Res. 2013 Jul-Sep;753(1):24-40 Molecular Neurobiology 2022. volume 59, pages 4223–4241 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/support

References Pisendel Johann G. 1735. Violin Concerto in D major Jun P I.7 https://youtu.be/dvwhXXvFiNg?si=BUb-f5rBncgADinx Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2021 Apr; 57: 107–116 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/support

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

Toshihiro Kobayashi, Ph.D., presents his research on the mechanisms driving cell fate choices in early mammalian embryos. He also discusses the potential application of these principles in future regenerative medicine. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 38328]

References Cell. 2020 Jul 23; 182(2):404–416.e14. Nature Communications 2020. volume 11,3146 Curr Genet. 2021 Feb; 67(1):19–26 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/support

References Scientific Reports 2015.volume 5,Article number: 15292 Dev Cell. 2023 Apr 10;58(7):597-615.e10 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-daniel-j-guerra/support

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Elsy Buitrago-Delgado, Ph.D., shares how spatial analysis of RNA distribution during early mouse embryogenesis suggests that the first cell fate choice is made at the 4-cell stage. She also discusses how notch signaling regulates cell fate choices during early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 38888]

Ali H. Brinvanlou, Ph.D., shares his work using in vitro attached human embryos and genome-edited synthetic embryos derived from human embryonic stem cells to learn the molecular, cellular, and embryological basis of early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38324]

Ali H. Brinvanlou, Ph.D., shares his work using in vitro attached human embryos and genome-edited synthetic embryos derived from human embryonic stem cells to learn the molecular, cellular, and embryological basis of early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38324]

Ali H. Brinvanlou, Ph.D., shares his work using in vitro attached human embryos and genome-edited synthetic embryos derived from human embryonic stem cells to learn the molecular, cellular, and embryological basis of early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38324]

Ali H. Brinvanlou, Ph.D., shares his work using in vitro attached human embryos and genome-edited synthetic embryos derived from human embryonic stem cells to learn the molecular, cellular, and embryological basis of early human development. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38324]

Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., UC San Diego, explains how her lab studies how epithelial stem cells communicate with their vascular microenvironment to advance regeneration and combat metastatic diseases. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Education] [Show ID: 38409]

References Frontiers in Immunology November 2014. 21(578):1 Clin Epigenetics. 2017; 9: 94 Cancer Cell International September 2020. 20(1):429 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message

Dr. Shuibing Chen is the Kilts Family Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her lab uses hiPSCs and ESCs for disease modeling and drug screening, with a focus on diabetes and infectious diseases such as Zika and SARS-CoV-2. She talks about her recent genome-wide association study in a dish, the role of philanthropic funding in stem cell research, and the role of industry partnerships in translational research.

What if we could trick stem cells into thinking they were young again? What would the impact be on human health and aging? Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., shares her work. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38216]

What if we could trick stem cells into thinking they were young again? What would the impact be on human health and aging? Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., shares her work. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38216]

What if we could trick stem cells into thinking they were young again? What would the impact be on human health and aging? Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., shares her work. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38216]

What if we could trick stem cells into thinking they were young again? What would the impact be on human health and aging? Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., shares her work. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38216]

What challenges does aging pose to both individuals and society at large? What causes aging at the cellular and molecular level? Stem cell research is be key to finding solutions that increase our healthspan and change how we think about aging. Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., shares what is on the horizon. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38215]

What challenges does aging pose to both individuals and society at large? What causes aging at the cellular and molecular level? Stem cell research is be key to finding solutions that increase our healthspan and change how we think about aging. Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., shares what is on the horizon. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38215]

What challenges does aging pose to both individuals and society at large? What causes aging at the cellular and molecular level? Stem cell research is be key to finding solutions that increase our healthspan and change how we think about aging. Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., shares what is on the horizon. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38215]

What challenges does aging pose to both individuals and society at large? What causes aging at the cellular and molecular level? Stem cell research is be key to finding solutions that increase our healthspan and change how we think about aging. Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., shares what is on the horizon. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38215]

Can we leverage stem cells to help live longer, healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., and Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., examine the process of aging at the molecular and cellular level to show how stem cells may be the key to preventing age-related health problems. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37968]

Can we leverage stem cells to help live longer, healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., and Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., examine the process of aging at the molecular and cellular level to show how stem cells may be the key to preventing age-related health problems. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37968]

Can we leverage stem cells to help live longer, healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., and Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., examine the process of aging at the molecular and cellular level to show how stem cells may be the key to preventing age-related health problems. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37968]

Can we leverage stem cells to help live longer, healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., and Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., examine the process of aging at the molecular and cellular level to show how stem cells may be the key to preventing age-related health problems. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37968]

Can we leverage stem cells to help live longer, healthier lives? Robert A.J. Signer, Ph.D., and Shiri Gur-Cohen, Ph.D., examine the process of aging at the molecular and cellular level to show how stem cells may be the key to preventing age-related health problems. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37968]

Dr. Lydia Finley is an Assistant Member of the Cell Biology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The Finley lab investigates how cellular metabolic pathways regulate cell fate decisions in stem cells and cancer cells. She talks about the metabolic profiles and needs of different cell types, her lab's discovery of an alternate TCA cycle, and how track and field led her to pursue metabolism research.

References Dr. Guerra's notes The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 137, Issue 3, March 2007, Pages 548–553 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message

References Dr. Guerra's synthesis of the epitranscriptome lecture notes Sci Signal. 2017 Jan 31; 10(464): eaaf7478. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message

References Dr Guerra's lecture notations and synthesis Cell. 2014 Dec 18; 159(7): 1615–1625 Nat Commun. 2020; 11: 102. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message

References Guerra lecture notes/ideas Genes (Basel). 2014 Dec; 5(4): 865–886. Molecular Therapy—Nucleic Acids (2015) 4, e252 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(5), 719 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dr-daniel-j-guerra/message

Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD, David Traver, PhD, Gene Yeo, PhD, MBA, discuss the impact of genomics in relation to stell cell research including potential therapeutics for MDS and the role of the somite in hematopoietic stem cell fate. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37561]

Dan Kaufman, MD, PhD, David Traver, PhD, Gene Yeo, PhD, MBA, discuss the impact of genomics in relation to stell cell research including potential therapeutics for MDS and the role of the somite in hematopoietic stem cell fate. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37561]