BioTA Podcast

What is El Niño? - #61

Every few years, we hear that El Niño is on the way! But what does that actually mean? And what is El Niño, anyway? In this episode, Dr. Gary McManus of the Oklahoma Meso

The Heat Is On - #60

In part two of our interview with neurobiologist Dr. Lemon, we learn more about taste and flavor. And to spice things up, we talk about how the fiery sensation from eatin

A Matter of Taste - #59

In this episode we interview neurobiologist Dr. Chris Lemon to learn about how receptors and neurons in your mouth work together and interact with other sensory systems t

Phenotypic Plasticity - When Flexibility Actually Matters #58

In Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Stein, we explore some of her research on how plasticity helps organisms survive in their environments, what it reveals about the impo

Phenotypic Plasticity - Keeping Your Options Open # 57

At its core, phenotypic plasticity is one genotype, multiple outcomes. But what does that actually look like in real biology? In this episode, Dr. Laura Stein introduces

Tuberculosis - From Sanatoriums to Superbugs (Part 2) - #56

Tuberculosis can be devastating, but in the past, treatment could be too. Dr. Mehaffy walks us through tuberculosis treatments from the past and explains the challenges s

Tuberculosis - Ancient Disease, Modern Problems (Part 1) - #55

Tuberculosis is a devastating disease that has impacted humans for thousands of years. We spoke with Dr. Carolina Mehaffy, a microbiologist at Colorado State University,

Species Concepts Part 2: Defining Species, Deciding Futures - #54

In this episode, we conclude our interview with Dr. Abigail Moore and Dr. James Hung. They explain why species concepts are important and how they are applied in their co

Species Concepts Part 1: Why Is This So Complicated? - #53

In this episode we interview Dr. Abigail Moore and Dr. James Hung from the Oklahoma Biological Survey to learn about species concepts. In Part 1 we get their perspective

Cocoliztli: The Worst Epidemic You’ve Probably Never Heard Of - #52

In the 1500s, a disease called Cocoliztli devastated Indigenous communities in what is now Mexico. But what caused it? In this episode, we tell the story of Cocoliztli an

Your Immune System: The Good, The Bad, and The Misunderstood - #51

Every day, your body fights a quiet, microscopic war. But how does the immune system know what to attack and what to leave alone? In this episode, Dr. Katriana Popichak,

Ricin Killed My Dogma - #50

What do a Cold War assassination, a vengeful ex-spouse, and a hit TV show all have in common? A poison so powerful it can shut down protein synthesis entirely. In this ep

A Tale of Two Cell Walls: How the Gram Stain Divides Bacteria - #049

The Gram stain is a cornerstone of microbiology labs, but what is it actually telling us, and why does it work? In this episode, Jimena and Emma unpack the history and lo

BioTA Revisited: the Botany of Christmas

Revisit this holiday episode that looks into the botanical origins of many Christmas traditions in Saturnalia, Yule, and other winter celebrations.

BioTA Revisited: Halloween Botany

We’re reposting one of our most popular episodes! Learn about the botanical origins and symbolism of this ancient holiday. Happy Halloween!

Dogs and Dandelions – #048

What do dogs and dandelions have in common? More than you’d think. Both are products of artificial selection. Sometimes it’s deliberate, and sometimes totally accidental.

Microbes, Viruses, and Germs… Oh My! – #047

In this episode, we continue exploring microbiology by talking with Dr. Katriana Popichak about the tiny troublemakers all around us: bacteria and viruses. What are they?

Antibiotic Resistance: Monsters We Created? – #046

In this second episode on antibiotics, the Infectious Minds duo explores an unintended, and occasionally terrifying consequence of these life-saving drugs, antibiotic res

Antibiotics: The Solution We Found – #045

For most of human history, even a simple scrape could turn deadly. Then came antibiotics. They were powerful, mysterious, and world-changing. But what exactly are they? W

Vampire Bats, Rabies, and You – #044

In this episode, we sink our teeth into the world of vampire bats and rabies. Two fearless researchers take us from their jungle field sites to the lab as they track how