TWiV 450: Ben tenOever and RNA out

July 16, 2017

no diceBen tenOever joins the TWiVoli to discuss the evolution of RNA interference and his lab’s finding that RNAse III nucleases, needed for the maturation of cellular RNAs, are an ancient antiviral RNA recognition platform in all domains of life.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson DespommierAlan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler

Guest: Ben tenOever

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Download TWiV 450 (58 MB .mp3, 96 min)
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Links for this episode

Timestamps by Jennifer. Thanks!

Weekly Science Picks 1:16:05

Ben – Invisible Invaders by Peter Radetsky
Kathy –
ASV 2017 Virolympics Crossword solved (pdf) and National Museum of the Air Force
Rich – Columbia river gorge and Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
Dickson –
All the World’s Earthquakes
Alan
Map of Roman roads
Vincent – Brain atlas of fly behavior

Listener Pick

Rob – Vaccinate Your Kids and Charles Darwin Natural Selection
Islam – Self-assembling virus and Virus Patterns

Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees.

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

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8 comments on “TWiV 450: Ben tenOever and RNA out

  1. MaryClare Rollins Jul 16, 2017

    Excellent episode! Loved the RNAi arc in the last two episodes. I would love to hear Nels Elde sound off on ideas about why prokaryotes have predominantly DNA phages. I’m intrigued by the idea that RNA virus evolution required the development of additional membranes in cells…

  2. Hi guys, thanks for sharing my Roman subway map.

    I think the name you’re looking for is Harry Beck, designer of the London Underground map. He was actually an electrical engineer by training, and came up with the idea of representing a transit system as if it were an electrical circuit. In 1932 he published an early version of the now-ubiquitous map, which was immediately rejected by the London Underground’s Publicity Department. However, due to Beck’s persistence, a small print run was allowed and the map was released at a few select stations. Riders loved the simple design and demanded more–the Publicity Department conceded, and ordered 700,000 copies. Other cities would copy Beck’s idea, and the rest is history.

  3. Johnye Ballenger. Jul 16, 2017

    Learned Scientists.

    A couple of months ago I discovered Jennife Khan’s TED talk on CRISPR gene drives. During the conversation around 00:23:23 brought to mind the activity of the a gene drive. A some point, when appropriate and pertinent, could the group discuss GEA

  4. Johnye Ballenger. Jul 16, 2017

    Oops got away before completing my question. Sorry.

    Could the group discuss CRISPR gene drive as a tool for use in maybe vaccine production or other uses in research?

    Jennifer Khan’s talk was most engaging.

    https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_kahn_gene_editing_can_now_change_an_entire_species_forever

    Thanks from 27 C, fairly sunny, but officially partly cloudy, Boston.

    Johnye

  5. For those interested in self-assembling models of viruses you can get access to a 3D printed model on the NIH’s website (and others), that are similar to the Science within Reach group’s model. You can make these as long as you don’t sell it or trade it as the agreement states on the NIH website. Just need to purchase magnets and be handy with two-part epoxy.

    https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-000280
    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:108883