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Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Kevin Folta
Glyphosate
Biotechnology
Agriculture
Cancer
Artificial Intelligence
Monsanto
International Agency For Research On Cancer
ALS
Covid-19
Proteins
Immunotherapy
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Obesity
Disinformation
Science Communication
Genetically Engineered Corn
Antimicrobial Resistance
Cancer Therapy
Genetic Engineering
Public Health

Talking Biotech is a weekly podcast that uncovers the stories, ideas and research of people at the frontier of biology and engineering. Each episode explores how science and technology will transform agriculture, protect the environment, and feed 10 billion people by 2050. Interviews are led by Dr. Kevin Folta, a professor of molecular biology and genomics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes502Founded11 years ago
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Life SciencesScience

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Artwork for Talking Biotech

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Kevin Folta interviews Brigitte Weston, the director of product development at Gates Ag One, about their mission to accelerate crop technology development for smallholder farmers in Africa and South Asia. They discuss the organizatio... more

Oncolytic viruses may offer a new way to tackle solid tumors by targeting cancer cells and activating the immune system. Dr. Eric Poma explains how Calidi Biotherapeutics is engineering a vaccinia-based virus to evade immune clearance, reach tumors, ... more

This episode explores the fascinating history and science behind GLP1 receptor agonists, their development from animal venom to life-changing diabetes and obesity treatments, and the importance of basic research in medical breakthroughs.

In this episode, Dr. Alexia Groff discusses her groundbreaking research on expressing mammalian myoglobin in plants using chloroplast transformation. We explore the implications for food production, biosecurity, and future applications in meat substi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Eric Poma
CEO and Director, Khaleidi Biotherapeutics
Khaleidi Biotherapeutics
Episode: Oncolytic Viruses Targeting Cancer Tumors - Dr. Eric Poma
Alexandra Butler
Professor of pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Medical University of Bahrain
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Medical University of Bahrain
Episode: The history & science behind GLP1 receptor agonists
Rodwan Darwish
Medical student at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Medical University of Bahrain
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Medical University of Bahrain
Episode: The history & science behind GLP1 receptor agonists
Alexia Groff
PhD graduate focused on plant-based expression of myoglobin
Imperial College London (alumna), sponsored by Kiyome
Episode: Meat Proteins in Plants
Indo Navar
CEO and founder of Everything ALS
Everything ALS
Episode: New Strategies in Early ALS Detection
Erik Ingelsson
Chief Science Officer, Wave Life Sciences
Wave Life Sciences
Episode: A new strategy in the war on obesity - Dr. Erik Ingelsson
Cameron English
Journalist and writer
American Council on Science and Health (ACSH)
Episode: Cameron English-The Debate on Conventional vs Organic Farming
Colette Delawalla
Founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science
Stand Up for Science
Episode: Stop Political Interference in Federal Science Grants! With Dr. Colette Delawalla
Dr. Scott Engel
Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida
University of Florida
Episode: The Future of Agriculture -- Dr. Scott Angle

Host

Dr. Kevin Folta
Host of Talking Biotech; guides interviews and explains complex biotech topics to a broad audience.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 419 ratings
  • Essential listening in an increasingly anti-science world. Dr Folta explains things clearly and has fascinating guests to talk about all areas of science

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Sasha Napier
    6 months ago
  • Science based

    Great science based podcast that explains it to my level. Thanks for the continued work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HooperParents
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Podcast!

    There are not enough fantastic scientific resources like this. It is unbiased, accurate and educational. In this world of science misinformation, I applaud Dr. Flora for being a steady voice for objective evidence-based reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Movie Minifan
    United States3 years ago
  • Amazing for life science lovers!

    Kevin is a great host, inviting experts to discuss a wide array of biotech related subjects. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1657730000
    Israel3 years ago
  • This podcast is timely and helps keep one current on biotech issues. I enjoy listening each week

    Audible
    5
    Beth
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host is praised for clear explanations and strong guest choices, making biotech accessible.
Broad range of topics keeps the show engaging for both lay listeners and professionals.
High-quality interviews with deep dives into biotech applications and policy.
Science-based and educational, a steady source of evidence over misinformation.
Some negative feedback notes perceived bias or controversial funding disclosures.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Oncolytic Viruses Targeting Cancer Tumors - Dr. Eric Poma
Q: what are the design limits you're exploring for payloads, and how many payloads can you put in a single virus?
So far two or three payloads seem feasible, with two working well and three possible as we push the limits, enabling multiple mechanisms of action to tackle tumor complexity and resistance.
Oncolytic Viruses Targeting Cancer Tumors - Dr. Eric Poma
Q: tell me more about oncolytic viruses. how have they been proposed to work as specific tools against cancer cells and not host cells?
They work by selectively replicating in tumor cells, lysing them, and triggering local immune responses. The virus is engineered to preferentially replicate in tumor environments, and payloads like IL-15 can amplify immune attack within the tumor while aiming to spare normal tissue.
The history & science behind GLP1 receptor agonists
Q: But when did the community recognize that the action was really hitting the central nervous system, and how did that adjust the development pipelines?
Clinical and preclinical data began showing GLP-1's influence on brain pathways regulating appetite around the early 2000s, leading to a broader focus on CNS-mediated effects and the development of obesity-focused indications alongside glycemic control.
The Future of Agriculture -- Dr. Scott Angle
Q: How can universities adapt to changing educational needs in agriculture?
By offering more flexible, two-year degrees and certificates, expanding state college partnerships, and designing curricula around real-world agricultural technology like autonomous tractors and data-driven farming.
The Future of Agriculture -- Dr. Scott Angle
Q: What are the biggest obstacles to advancing agricultural technology today?
Funding, public trust, and the challenge of translating research into practical, scalable solutions are the main hurdles, but partnerships between universities and industry, along with retraining the workforce, can help bridge the gap.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Biotech

What is Talking Biotech about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A biotech-focused show that brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to unpack how biology and engineering are shaping agriculture, medicine, and environmental stewardship. Episodes span obesity therapies, plant-based proteins, AI in healthcare, data-driven farming, and policy debates around science funding and public perception. The host tends to feature technically deep conversations with guests who can translate complex science for a broad audience, often connecting cutting-edge research to real-world impact. This mix of rigorous science, practical applications, and policy context makes it a strong fit for listeners who want evidence-based biotech insights and the implications for society, business, and innovation.

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How many listeners does Talking Biotech get?

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What are the audience demographics for Talking Biotech?

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How many subscribers and views does Talking Biotech have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Biotech?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Biotech:

1. Immune
2. Hidden Brain
3. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
4. Gastropod
5. The Readout Loud

How many episodes of Talking Biotech are there?

Talking Biotech launched 11 years ago and published 502 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking Biotech?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Biotech?

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What guests have appeared on Talking Biotech?

Recent guests on Talking Biotech include:

1. Eric Poma
2. Alexandra Butler
3. Rodwan Darwish
4. Alexia Groff
5. Indo Navar
6. Erik Ingelsson
7. Cameron English
8. Colette Delawalla

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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