Curiosity Weekly Episode Summary: "Name That Cell, Ancient Genomes, Cell-Cultured Salmon"

Release Date: March 12, 2025

Welcome to this episode of Curiosity Weekly, hosted by Dr. Samantha Yamin and produced by Teresa Carey. In this engaging installment, the show delves into the fascinating worlds of ancient viral genomes, the diversity of cellular life, and the innovative frontier of cell-cultured salmon. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the episode's key segments, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps.

1. Ancient Viral Genomes with Dr. Sebastian Kalvanak Spencer

Overview: Dr. Sebastian Kalvanak Spencer, a renowned pathogen evolutionary biologist, discusses his groundbreaking work on resurrecting and analyzing ancient viral genomes. His research provides invaluable insights into how historical pandemics have shaped human evolution and inform our understanding of contemporary viral threats.

Key Discussions:

• Resurrecting Ancient Viruses: Dr. Spencer explains the complexities and significance of extracting viral DNA from historical specimens. "We tried to take advantage of the accumulation of change in the genomes of pathogens to reconstruct their evolution and their history" (13:21).

• Measles Evolution: One of Dr. Spencer's notable achievements is sequencing the oldest human-infecting RNA virus genome from a 1912 measles case. This work estimates that measles diverged from its closest relative, the rinderpest virus, approximately 2,500 years ago, coinciding with the rise of large urban centers (16:56).

• Impact on Modern Pandemics: Drawing parallels between ancient and modern pandemics, Dr. Spencer highlights the emergence of viral variants. "If that's something that we consistently see in pandemics... That's something that we should be particularly cautious about when the next pandemic arises" (21:49).

Notable Quotes:

• "We do not fully understand what drives the emergence of pathogens today." (14:49)

• "The Human Cell Atlas Project wants to understand how every single different type of cell in the body uses that code of DNA." (10:15)

2. "Name That Cell" – A Cellular Biology Challenge

Overview: In a fun and educational segment, Dr. Yamin and Teresa Carey engage in a game called "Name That Cell," testing their knowledge of various cell types. This interactive quiz not only entertains but also sheds light on the diverse functions and complexities of cells within the human body.

Key Discussions:

• Cell Diversity: The game highlights the vast range of cell types and their specialized roles, emphasizing that "scientists still can't agree on how many different types of cells there actually are."

• Scientific Debates: Teresa Carey discusses the ongoing debates among cell biologists regarding the classification and definition of cell types, likening it to having "their own version of moods" with cells being more "dormant or reactive."

• Future of Cellular Mapping: The conversation touches on the ambitious goal of creating detailed cell atlases, akin to "Google Maps of the human body," to monitor cellular activities in real-time and potentially intervene in processes like aging and disease (09:19).

Sample Quiz Questions and Answers:

1. Blood Clotting Cell:

   • Question: "I'm a small disc-shaped cell that plays a crucial role in blood clotting..."
   • Answer: Platelet (05:05)

2. Defense System Cell:

   • Question: "I patrol for invaders engulfing and digesting bacteria..."
   • Answer: Macrophage (05:34)

3. Smooth Muscle Cell:

   • Question: "I'm long and spindle-shaped, silently keeping your organs functioning..."
   • Answer: Smooth Muscle Cell (06:18)

4. Neuron:

   • Question: "I'm responsible for sending electrical signals through your body..."
   • Answer: Neuron (07:00)

5. Stem Cell:

   • Question: "I have the unique ability to transform into various types of cells..."
   • Answer: Stem Cell (07:51)

Notable Quotes:

• "They can have different states, like, they can be more dormant or reactive." (08:58)

• "Stem cells are like the Swiss army knife of cells." (07:54)

3. Cell-Cultured Salmon: The Future of Sustainable Seafood

Overview: The episode transitions to an exploration of cell-cultured salmon, an innovative approach to sustainable seafood production. This segment examines the technology behind lab-grown salmon, its potential benefits, and the challenges it faces before becoming mainstream.

Key Discussions:

• Production Process: Cell-cultured salmon involves extracting cells from a healthy salmon and proliferating them in bioreactors with a precise mix of nutrients. Plant-based scaffolding is used to structure the cells into fibrous tissue, resulting in products like fillets, roe, or sashimi.

• Benefits:

  • Environmental Impact: Lab-grown salmon is free from microplastics and antibiotics commonly found in traditional aquaculture.
  • Nutritional Control: The nutritional content, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can be tailored.
  • Sustainability: With declining wild salmon populations—50% decrease between 1983 and 2016—the demand for sustainable alternatives is high.

• Challenges:

  • Scalability: Current operations are small-scale and expensive, limiting availability primarily to products like sushi.
  • Scientific Validation: Limited independent studies make it necessary for companies to rely on their research.
  • Economic and Environmental Impact: The long-term effects of industrializing cell-cultured salmon production remain uncertain.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's like the impossible burger. But instead of growing beef in a lab, scientists are growing real salmon cells using bioreactors."

• "Cell cultured salmon could help address the high demand and declining supplies of wild salmon."

4. Conclusion and Recap

In wrapping up the episode, Dr. Yamin and Teresa Carey summarize the key insights:

• "Name That Cell" Game: Highlighted the intricate diversity of cell types and the ongoing scientific discussions surrounding their classification.

• Ancient Viral Genomes: Dr. Spencer's research offers a window into the past, unraveling how ancient pandemics have influenced both human and pathogen evolution, and providing lessons applicable to modern-day viral challenges.

• Cell-Cultured Salmon: Represents a promising avenue for sustainable food production, addressing environmental concerns and supply shortages, though it awaits further development and scaling.

The episode underscores the pivotal role of scientific exploration in understanding our history and shaping our future, from the microscopic workings of cells to the vast impacts of ancient viruses and innovative solutions in food sustainability.

Credits:

• Host: Dr. Samantha Yamin
• Senior Producer & Editorial Correspondent: Teresa Carey
• Producer: Chiara Noni
• Audio Engineer: Nick Karismi
• Head of Production for Wheelhouse DNA: Cassie Berman

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on Curiosity Weekly, where science unravels the mysteries of our past and paves the way for future breakthroughs.