Future Tech: Almost Here, Round-the-corner Future Technology Podcast

Gregory Kuehn, MBA, President and COO of Prescient Metabiomics, formerly Metabiomics, discusses their innovative work in colorectal cancer treatment and the development of an advanced stool test for cancer. Kuehn holds an MBA from the University of Colorado and a BS from the College of William and Mary in molecular biology and computer science. Kuehn talks about their advanced work studying the microbiome to predict or associate with disease. Kuehn discusses their work at Prescient Metabiomics, a pioneer in the development of human microbiome and metagenomic technology. Their groundbreaking research has lead to the development of a non-invasive stool test for the early detection of colon polyps as well as colorectal cancer based on advanced examination of the human gut microbiome. Kuehn talks in-depth about their early work in inflammatory bowel disease, that led them to their current work studying how to prevent colon cancer. Kuehn discusses the detail that they have gone into studying the microbiome, look

You might be familiar with slacklining as the art of balancing and walking on what looks like a thin string between two anchor points, but it can actually involve much more than that, such as sitting, kneeling, laying down, backbending, side planking, squatting, and every move you might associate with yoga. How is that even possible? The answer might best be answered by yoga and slacklining teacher, Dustin Lindblad. She joins the podcast today to discuss how she became involved in slacklining, the myriad benefits she’s gained from slacklining, and why it’s not as esoteric or impossible as it might initially seem. In fact, most people who have a true desire to master it, can. Tune in to discover: Why it’s important to be mindful of your breathing and how relaxed your body is while slacklining What type of shoes Dustin Lindblad finds most helpful when slacklining How to get started as a total beginner Podcast Transcript Richard Jacobs: Hello, this is Richard Jacobs with the Future tech and Future tech h

“We call them neglected tropical diseases…but the truth is, they’re really diseases of extreme poverty; you ordinarily do not get a neglected tropical disease unless you live in extremely impoverished conditions where there’s environmental degradation, poor-quality housing, inadequate sanitation,” says Dr. Peter Jay Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He continues by explaining that contrary to what many people may think, these diseases are not rare, and they’re not found only in developing countries: they are global health issues found right here in the United States, and affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Despite these numbers, the major pharmaceutical companies aren’t focused on developing drugs or vaccines to combat their spread. As a result, these responsibilities fall on the nonprofit sector. Dr. Hotez discusses the efforts within this sector and by the National School of Tropical Medicine toward implementing vaccination for some of the mo

“I certainly believe that without our microbes, our immune systems wouldn’t be primed, we wouldn’t be able to digest many of the foods that we consume…and we wouldn’t be able to protect from pathogens, so they basically do it all,” says Dr. Jonathan Clayton, assistant professor (better known as “The Monkey Doc”) at the University of Nebraska. Despite a growing amount of evidence suggesting that the human microbiome impacts us in significant ways, there’s still so much we don’t know. For instance, what can be learned about site-specific microbial communities within our body, or even throughout a single organ such as the skin? What can be said about the relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain, or between stress and the microbiome? How does diet impact the microbiome? How quickly can the microbiome change in response to different environmental stimuli? These are just a few of the questions that Dr. Clayton is interested in answering. By tuning in, you’ll hear his take on all of this and more, inclu

“In the developed world in the last few decades, there’s been a tremendous increase in the number of people who have chronic illness…if you look around you, every other person probably has some kind of chronic illness, whether it’s some kind of autoimmune disease, metabolic, neurologic…[or] cancer,” says Guru Banavar, Chief Technology Officer at Viome. The point he makes is hard to refute, but is it equally as hard to explain what’s contributing to the rise in chronic illness? According to Banavar, chronic illnesses are driven by the gut microbiome, and if for no other reason, that’s why we need to take a closer look at it. At Viome, chronic disease prevention is the central focus, and they believe that in order to do this, we first need to understand gene expression, and harness the power of the right kinds of foods and supplements—the kinds that work with and are required by the gut microbiome for the activation of important microbial pathways. The team at Viome is conducting microbiome research using stool

We’re living in an age of unprecedented access to genomic data; all we have to do is send off a sample of saliva in the mail to a company like 23andMe or Ancestry to get a comprehensive report containing information about our ancestral lineage, diseases we might pass on to our children, and diseases we might develop during our lifetime. There’s no question that understanding genomic data affords a great benefit to many people, but there’s a tradeoff that’s critical to acknowledge, and it’s one of privacy. Where does our information go once in the hands of these companies? Can it really be deleted at the press of a button, as we are led to believe? If you have been under the impression that you have control over your genomic data, even after it’s been tested by a company, you aren’t alone. Most people don’t realize that once a sample of DNA undergoes health-related genomic data analysis, federal law dictates that it must be saved. In other words, it would be illegal for a company like 23andMe or Ancestry to de

“My reason for wanting to start the company was a very simple one actually, and a very personal one: my wife had cancer, she had breast cancer…misdiagnosed and then finally correctly diagnosed in 2005. She became metastatic in 2010,” says Robin Bannister, Founder and Director of Research and Development at Care Oncology Clinic. Dr. Bannister had spent his entire professional life studying different pharmaceuticals and trying to understand the ways in which old drugs could be repurposed, but now there was a new level of urgency to his work. He knew he had to act quickly. To find the drug he was looking for, he first had to reduce the list of 5,000 or so drugs to a list that was more manageable, and he did this by focusing on those that had a long history of safe use and mild side effects, particularly in cancer patients. The basis of the treatment provided at Care Oncology Clinic takes advantage of the Warburg effect—the metabolic processes used by cancer cells to stay alive and grow. The Care Oncology protoco

You hear a sound, and you absolutely hate it; as a result, your brain prioritizes that sound, further and more deeply ingraining it in your brain. This experience creates a very negative emotional and physiological reaction in you, and could be triggered by any number of sounds commonly encountered in modern life—the sound of someone chewing gum, tapping, dripping water…you name it. There’s a name for this, and it’s misophonia. In addition to misophonia, Jennifer Conlin, Doctor of Audiology, has tinnitus, which is a condition that involves hearing a high-frequency tone that becomes chronic, causes a negative emotional response, and leads to a negative feedback loop in the brain. It might be hard to see the good in having both of these conditions, but it’s what ultimately led Dr. Jennifer Conlin to not only identify her speech-language pathology specialty and foster her love of audiology but help others through a myriad of auditory problems in her role as an audiologist at Love to Hear Again Audiology in Texa

Not more than 10 years ago, the consensus among most scientists was that extracellular vesicles (EVs)—biological particles found in our urine, saliva, and throughout our bodies—were mere waste products with no role in communication between cells. Today, we know that’s simply not true: EVs certainly play a role in cell communication, but the extent to which they do so is still a topic of research. We also know that they have the potential to be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, the identification of EVs in the blood can be diagnostic of cancer, and we know that metastatic cancer cells release EVs that are softer than other types of EVs. Additionally, EVs can be taken from fat tissue and used for therapeutic purposes. This is just a fraction of what Joy Wolfram, Ph.D., Director of The Nanomedicine and Extracellular Vesicles Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Florida discusses on the podcast today. She also explains the work they are doing to synthesize nanoparticles which are capable of b

Hives, swelling of the eyes, mouth, or tongue, sneezing, wheezing, sudden vomiting, a sense of impending doom: these are just a few of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. For over 10 years, Dr. Richard Wasserman’s focus has been on developing a treatment for food allergies called oral immunotherapy (OIT), a method by which a very small amount of an allergen is given to an allergic individual as a way of prompting desensitization. Over time, the amount of allergen is gradually increased until the individual is able to consume a full, meal-sized portion of the allergen. To date, IOT has been used to treat allergies to 20 different foods, including peanuts, cashews, eggs, milk, wheat, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds. In today’s podcast, you will learn: Why food allergy testing is often of no value or otherwise misleading Risk factors for the development of food allergies What exactly is going on when an allergic response occurs Why the gradual increase in amount of allergen works to treat allergies an

Antibiotic resistance—the ability of bacteria to survive even large doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics—is a growing problem in the modern world, one that threatens the safety of everyone on the planet. But this hasn’t always been the case; not more than 20 years ago, the idea of antibiotic resistance was not really on anyone’s radar, which is a testament to how quickly the problem has developed, and therefore how time-sensitive it is to develop a solution. According to Dr. Vincent A. Fischetti, head of the Fischetti Lab at Rockefeller University, as well as the results from phase 2 clinical trials which put it to the test, the solution lies in a bacteriophage enzyme called lysin. On today’s episode, Dr. Fischetti explains how bacteriophages (commonly referred to as phages) kill bacteria, and how he and his team harnessed this knowledge in a way that’s led to the development of the first-ever alternative to antibiotics that’s been FDA-approved to enter phase 3 clinical trials. This potential treatment for bac

Richard Andrews, SM, MS, President/CEO, and Mark Sampson, Chief Scientific Officer, of Azitra, a clinical-stage medical dermatology company, provide an insightful overview of their work. Andrews has vast experience as a top executive, leading the operations, finance, and development for biotechnology firms primarily focused on novel products to combat inflammatory disease. And Dr. Sampson, recently of Botanix Pharmaceuticals, has immense experience in the development of preclinical strategies as well as clinical development plans for new, advanced antimicrobial indications. He is a seasoned and sought-after researcher. The disease researcher, and executive, provide an overview of how Azitra strives to address serious skin diseases. Azitra combines various technologies designed to repair disease problems, and utilizes the microbiome to deliver those, thus adding to the therapeutic benefit. They talk about cancer-associated rash, and the various kinds of skin problems that they see. The dermatology experts ex

Oscar Sierra, L.Ac, a Nationally Board Certified Acupuncture Specialist (NCCAOM), Dipl. O.M., provides an overview of the current trends in modern acupuncture and many interesting facts about its beneficial aspects that you may not have known. Sierra received a BS in Nutrition from the University of Georgia. He is certified in Reiki, and has intensely studied Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture via an apprenticeship for nearly half a decade with Chinese Medicine practitioners in Atlanta. Sierra discusses the medical world’s interpretations of what is conventional medicine versus traditional medicine. As Sierra states, he practices traditional medicine, practices that are backed by thousands of years of written history, and a track record. Whatever works that is safe and effective for the patient is what Sierra focuses on. Sierra explains how ancillary compounds work, as he discusses the benefits of vitamins, such as vitamin C, and more. Sierra talks about medicinal plants for cancer treatment. And he outl

Howard Hindin, DDS, of The Hindin Center (hindincenter.com), discusses airway preservation and other myofunctional dentistry issues that affect people. Dr. Hindin is a graduate of the prestigious New York University College of Dentistry. He is trained in all areas of general dentistry, including surgery and endodontia. Additionally, Dr. Hindin assists people with cosmetic dentistry issues, and many types of oral and dental problems, including temporo mandibular joint disorders, and cranio facial pain. Dr. Hindin discusses the typical treatments for patients, but he stresses that treatment must be personalized. He discusses airway issues and identifies some of the cardinal signs of airway problems, such as mouth-breathing. He provides valuable information on how nasal breathing can be restored. Dr. Hindin explains invasive and non-invasive treatments. And he discusses oral appliances which can be tried first, to see if improvement in nasal breathing can be achieved. The Hindin Center dental expert talks abo

Monica M. Laronda, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Endocrinology), provides an overview of her research work in endocrinology, reproductive biology, and 3D printed ovaries. Laronda is passionate about research and she has a keen interest in the reproductive biology and endocrinology that forms the foundation for the the development of treatments to protect or restore hormone function and fertility. Laronda received her PhD from Northwestern University and her Postdoctoral Fellow work was done at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine (Obstetrics Gynecology). Laronda talks about their main patient focus: childhood cancer survivors whose treatment or disease may have rendered them infertile later in life. She talks about bioprosthetic ovaries and the uses of 3D printing. As she explains, their early work has shown success in mice, and she discusses what that means for future research. The PhD explains how egg cells work, and the natural decline that happens over time, as well as how dis

Mackenzie Wells has always had an interest in the science behind flavors and aromas, which led her to take a job right out of high school in the coffee roasting business. Over the past four years, she’s refined her skills and knowledge set in the world of coffee roasting and become quite the expert. She joins the podcast today to discuss the details of the roasting process, different coffee roasting techniques, three primary heat sources used in roasting, three methods of coffee decaffeination, how a coffee bean’s flavor profile is affected by the location in which it’s grown, the rising popularity of barrel-aged coffees, what it means to say that a coffee bean is of a “single origin” and so much more. In this episode, you will learn: Why you shouldn’t grind and brew your coffee right after it’s been roasted How different roasting styles create light versus medium versus dark roasts What’s meant by first and second “crack” in the world of coffee roasting

Jessica Pierce, PhD, bioethicist, lecturer, professor, and author, discusses her work, ethics, and the concept of dog cloning. Her newest book, Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible is an interesting and popular read. Pierce received a Bachelor’s degree from Scripps College, an M.Div. from The Divinity School at Harvard University, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. Pierce digs deep into the concept of cloning (pets and other animals), etc. In regard to pets, she explains that although cloning could be possible, the temperament and behavior may be completely different than the original animal. Pierce discusses the impact on the ‘unseen’ class of dogs that would be used as tools to create the clone. She worries about the exploitation of other animals that would be needed, ‘donor dogs’ that would be used in a laboratory setting. Pierce explains the technical aspects of a dog cloning process, detailing cell division, fusion, and h

Suffering from chronic headaches, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, or some other ailment and been unable to find relief from your primary care provider? While some of us seek it as a first choice, others seek it only as a very last resort: chiropractic care. Whether the idea of going to see a chiropractor gives you anxiety or you’re eagerly awaiting your next appointment, there’s likely a lot you could learn about chiropractic and the natural healing methods it involves. On today’s podcast, Adam Lamb, DC discusses what he’s learned over the course of 18 years as a practicing chiropractor, shares with us his chiropractic adjustment techniques, explains the difference between dislocations and subluxations, as well as what makes that crack sound often associated with chiropractic work, and informs us that everything from the way we walk to the things we eat can lead to misalignments in the body. By tuning in, you’ll discover: · How misalignments occur in the first place and what mechanisms are at play once the

Imagine a world where doctors could screen for or diagnose Alzheimer’s with a simple blood or saliva test; identifying specific extracellular vesicles may be a key area of research to get us there. Dr. Kenneth Witwer, associate professor of molecular and comparative pathobiology and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discusses extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are small signaling particles that cells use to communicate with one another. Dr. Witwer’s research interests include: extracellular vesicles, RNA-mediated regulation, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic modulation of intrinsic and innate defenses. Tune in to discover how Dr. Witwer is integrating these areas of research into diagnostic tools and potential treatments for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this episode, you will discover: · How viruses such as HIV utilize EVs to infect, invade, and integrate themselves into host cells · What role EVs have in cell-to-cell signaling in health and pathology

Thomas Bosch, Professor of General Zoology at Kiel University, discusses his intensive work studying animal life, cell and developmental biology, and more. Fascinated by the sciences, Bosch studied Biology at the University of Munich and Swansea University College in the UK, earned a doctorate from the University of Munich, then held a postdoctoral position at the University of California, Irvine. Bosch is Senior Fellow of the prestigious Canadian Institute of Advanced Research (CIFAR). As Professor of General Zoology at Kiel University, Bosch is heavily involved in groundbreaking research studying multiple areas, including healthy aging, stem cells therapy, and more. Bosch studies the multiple, complex interactions that take place within metaorganisms, between host cells and microbes. Bosch discusses his laboratory work, and some of the surprising findings they have discovered along the way. He discusses the study of organisms, from a historical perspective, with an emphasis on sequencing, the microbiome a