With the Delta variant of COVID-19 garnering worldwide attention, it begs the question: When will the pandemic end?  This month, on Episode 38, we circle back with David Englethaler, Ph.D., Director of TGen's Pathogen and Microbiome Division, more commonly known as TGen North, for an update on all things COVID-19 related.  How much longer will we be dealing with COVID-19? Do we really know where COVID came from? Will we need vaccinations against COVID for years to come?  Dr. Engelthaler answers these questions, and also explains how TGen is working with local and state health officials to track variants of COVID-19 — and posting that information freely on Arizona COVID-19 Sequencing Dashboard—  and how we’re preparing for the next pandemic.

Episode 38: COVID-19: Mother Nature’s Work or Something Else?

Science has come a remarkably long way, especially since sequencing the human genome, but has it come far enough for everyone?
  A focus of TGen research has always been finding a path to the clinic and ensuring the work is relevant to patients in need. But that’s not always easy.
  Jeffrey Trent Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G., TGen's Founding President and Research Director, on episode 39 of TGen Talks, discusses how investigators at TGen headquarters continued their research into various cancers and other diseases without missing a beat while most of the world was on COVID lockdown, and shares his views on the value of having summer interns. 
  All this and more on TGen Talks.

Episode 39: A TGen Overview

The range of emotions a Helios Scholar at TGen experiences — from application through the program’s end — shifts dramatically as the summer unfolds. The end result, however, is one of accomplishment.
  2021 marked the 15th year of TGen’s flagship internship program that has seen nearly 600 alumni gain often career-defining exposure to biomedical research and medicine by working alongside TGen faculty and staff.
  In episode 40, TGen Talks host Karie Dozer sits down with three Helios Scholars from the class of 2021 who share their summer of science as they discuss what they've learned and how they'll put that training to use as they move forward in their careers.

Episode 40: Helios Scholars at TGen

Genomic analysis of a cancer tumor is fairly common these days. Researchers sequence and compare a patient’s non-cancerous DNA with their tumor DNA to identify changes that may allow a patient to receive medicine that specifically targets those changes. But what happens when the tumor comes back? Has the tumor changed? And if so, how?
   These were questions that intrigued TGen Assistant Professor Floris Barthel, M.D. In particular, his latest research focuses on the effects of radiotherapy on the cancer tumor. What is different in the DNA of the first tumor compared to the normal DNA, and what is different in the DNA of the second tumor compared to the first tumor? How does treatment affect the DNA of these tumors over time?
   On this episode of TGen Talks, Dr. Barthel discusses how his work has shown that radiotherapy, while highly beneficial, appears to create breaks in the DNA and instead of dying, the cancer cell repairs itself, which alters the tumor make-up upon recurrence. He cautions there is still much to discover, but if successful, it could help identify those relapsed patients resistant to further radiotherapy and allow treating physicians to suggest an alternate course of treatment.

Episode 43: The Genomics of Brain Tumors

Applied mathematics dramatically advanced the field of finance in the 1970’s, where its application allowed for the modeling of financial markets by mathematicians highly skilled in quantitative analytics. Today, these highly sought-after mathematicians are making a name for themselves in the field of applied science as their skills are increasingly providing solutions in many areas of biomedical research. 
  The genomic sequencing routinely employed by TGen in precision medicine platforms generates data on a massive scale. Applying mathematical modeling, statistical methods, and machine learning, to these complex datasets has the potential to transform longitudinal (i.e., the same patient sampled over time) genomics data into new predictive biomarkers of disease or response to treatment. 
  In the latest edition of TGen Talks, Dr. Cristian Tomasetti discusses his mathematical grounding, how applied mathematics influences modern biology, his work at TGen and City of Hope, and the role of somatic mutations on cancer.
  All this and more in under 20 minutes.

Episode 47: Math Meets Cancer

This episode of TGen Talks takes the listener along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, where our host, Karie Dozer, sits down with David Engelthaler, Ph.D., professor and director of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division, more commonly known as TGen North.
  Whereas TGen uses genomics to solve complex problems such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease, the scientists at TGen North use these same tools and technology to focus on infectious disease … the microbes, the bacteria, the viruses, the fungi that cause some of the greatest problems around the world. 
  Engelthaler provides the listener an inside look at the research underway across the division, and the community work with different tribal nations and hospitals to understand what’s most important to them and how TGen North can apply their expertise to support those needs.
  Whether it's Cryptococcus, tuberculosis, superbugs in our hospitals, or other bad things like plague, West Nile, Valley fever, COVID, or the latest efforts around pathogen intelligence, TGen North’s goal is and always has been to rapidly identify and help stop the spread of potentially dangerous outbreaks.
  All this and more, on TGen Talks.

Episode 50: The World of Pathogens

In part two of TGen Talks Live, we continue our conversation on precision aging with Drs. Matthew Huentelman and Nicholas Schork.

Aging encompasses a variety aspects—both physical and mental—a fact made evident by the topics covered and the research presented. Where Huentelman’s work covers the brain and the more cognitive aspects of aging, Schork’s work focuses on the physical changes we undergo as we age. 

This month, in part two of our live show, our guests talk about how the COVID pandemic affected our bodies and brains, and how we can best separate fact from fiction when it comes to anti-aging supplements.

Episode 56: TGen Talks Live, Part II

When treating cancer patients, physicians are often faced with tough choices.  Treatment options like radiation can often come with unpleasant, for some, unbearable side-effects. Doctors walk a fine line between stopping the growth of cancer cells and giving cancer cells the very thing they need to grow and spread.  
  City of Hope and TGen physician-scientist Yun Rose Li, M.D., Ph.D., has been called trailblazing and innovative by the NIH in her research into oxidative stress and its effects on cancer cells. Dr. Li is using a five year, nearly $2 million grant to study how manipulating oxidative stress can improve the outcomes of her patients with genitourinary cancers.  
  Recruited for her research while still a resident at UC San Francisco, Dr. Li is quickly proving it no longer takes a lifetime in cancer research to make a difference in the lives of patients.

Episode 57: Yun Rose Li, M.D., Ph.D.

Understanding how infectious diseases spread in the past is important to understanding how they affect populations today. The difficulty lie in piecing together information given that so little is known about how microbes spread historically.
  Applying academic rigor with scientific assessment, two microbiologists teamed with an archaeologist to look at different types of evidence — genetics, anthropology, paleontology and climate — in an attempt to explain how the fungus that causes Valley fever, Coccidioides immitis, ended up in a specific area of Washington state. The review article in mBio by Drs. David Engelthaler, James C. Chatters and Arturo Casadevall details their approach from a historical perspective, applying what they knew about the biology and epidemiology of C. immitis, which led them to propose a new theory for why it has emerged in that region of Washington.
  Today, a great deal of discussion around the spread of diseases and the expansion of their habitats focuses on the effects of global warming. And while climate change does have an impact on different environments and habitats, this investigation sought to understand how and why different microbes, like fungi, move from one place to another through the lens of modern biology. 
  Their final analysis, climate change may not always be the reason behind the spread of diseases, but it can reveal past events that could be dangerous. 
  Engelthaler explains more in this edition of TGen Talks.

Episode 58: Tracing Ancient History with Modern Science

The phrase "gut health" has become quite a buzzword in recent years, and researchers like this month's guest will tell you quite candidly that we have a lot to learn about the community of microorganisms that live INSIDE the human body.  But one thing seems to be clear.  The human being with a "healthy gut" is far better able to fight a cancer diagnosis than the human with poor gut health.  Regardless the current standard for a healthy human microbiome, the data being compiled on this relatively new topic is vast.  One TGen researcher is uniquely qualified to analyze and manage such data, and is doing so at TGen North.  Dr. Greg Caporaso is a bioinformatician-- with expertise in both computer science and the human microbiome.  On this episode of TGen talks, he explains how his study of this important body system started not in a pre-med class, but in the computer lab.

Episode 62: QIIME in if You’ve Heard This One Before

For a patient diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, there are more treatment options than ever and traditional chemotherapies that cause debilitating side effects have been all but completely replaced by immunotherapies, treatments that help a patient's own immune system better fight the disease. But in many patients, a chosen immunotherapy drug can show great promise in early treatments, yet seemingly stop working altogether as time goes by. 
  In a paper that was published in Nature Medicine, TGen's Dr. Jonathan Keats explains how upwards of 65% of relapsing multiple myeloma patients could be affected by mutations that impact targeted T cell treatments. 
  On this episode, you'll hear about a study that found how these cancer cells were mutating to evade the very drugs prescribed to fight them. The findings could help clinicians and patients choose from among a variety of T cell therapies for multiple myeloma to find treatments that best match a patient’s available tumor targets.
  Dr. Keats also discusses his broader work in multiple myeloma and plans for a rapid sequencing center that will place valuable genomic-informed data in the hands of treating physicians in just 48 hours. 
  All this and more on TGen Talks.

Episode 63: Unlocking the Secrets of T Cell Therapy Resistance

Today, the world of biomedical science is changing how we think about disease and, certainly, how we treat it ... but did you ever wonder how discovery happens? 
  What does a lab look like? What type of equipment do they use? Who exactly is working inside? How many scientists and staff? And on what projects?
  On this episode of TGen Talks, Kristen Kaus, Manager of TGen's Education and Outreach programs, talks TGen, specifically, what guests and visitors see and hear when they go on a tour.
  While you might not learn everything modern research, you will gain an insider’s knowledge of TGen.
  She also talks about STEM education and the programs at TGen designed to foster a love of science and support students aiming for a career in bioscience. If that’s you, a TGen tour is a great way to see science in action.

Episode 64: An Insider’s View of TGen

This month, TGen Talks explores polygenic risk scores with Dr. David Duggan, an associate professor in the Quantitative Medicine and Systems Biology Division at TGen. A polygenic risk score is a number that indicates the combined effect of many genetic variants on a person's risk of developing a certain trait or disease. Each genetic variant adds a small amount to the overall risk. When these small effects are added together, they help predict the likelihood of developing the trait or disease.     

Think of the human genome as a deck of cards, where each card represents a different genetic variant. The value of each card represents the risk contribution of that variant. For example, an Ace might represent a high-risk variant (4 points), while a 2 might represent a low-risk variant (1 point). Let's assume all contributions are positive for simplicity, although in reality, some variants might reduce risk.     Imagine drawing 10 cards from the deck randomly. These 10 cards represent the genetic variants you inherited from your parents. Each card has a point value (risk contribution). Adding up the points of the 10 cards gives you your polygenic risk score. This score indicates your genetic predisposition to the trait or disease. You can then compare this score against population averages or thresholds to determine if you are at higher or lower risk for the trait or disease.     

In this analogy, each card represents a genetic variant, and its point value represents its contribution to your overall genetic risk for a specific trait or disease. The polygenic risk score is the sum of these contributions, much like summing the values of drawn cards to get a total score. This information can help you and your doctor make informed health decisions, such as focusing on preventive measures. Dr. Duggan notes that lifestyle factors also play a significant role in disease risk, sometimes reducing genetic risk by up to 50%. 

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a genetics enthusiast, or just curious about the future of personalized medicine, this month’s TGen Talks is worth the listen.

Episode 71: Understanding Your Risk with a PRS

On this month’s TGen Talks, David Engelthaler, Ph.D., professor and director of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division, discusses the recent surge of bird flu, also known as H5N1.

 H5N1 has been in the news a lot lately, but what does it all mean? Engelthaler breaks down the science and talks about the effects this particular strain might have on humans. He also explains what constitutes an outbreak, how they fade over time, and why they start anew.

 Bird flu, like other influenza viruses, changes and mutates over time, and the H5N1 strain is particularly concerning. Although it is currently a low risk for human outbreak (there are only 3 known cases in the U.S. thus far), its impact on other animals, especially poultry and cattle, caught the attention of the CDC, USDA and other groups that monitor such outbreaks.

 Engelthaler notes that outbreaks are often first noticed by wildlife managers or at zoos, where bird die-offs prompt testing for influenza. Over the past two years, the current bird flu strain has spread significantly by wild birds across North America and the rest of the world.

 The good news: In Arizona, only one mammal, an Abert’s tree squirrel, has tested positive for H5N1 to date. TGen researchers are working with local wildlife and health officials to monitor the situation.

Episode 72: Fowl Play: Viewing the New Strain of Bird Flu Through a Genomic Lens

Aging. It’s something we’d all like to do better. 

Americans spend an estimated $5 Billion on anti-aging products every year. But at TGen and City of Hope, scientists like TGen distinguished professor Nicholas Schork, Ph.D., are working to unlock the secrets to not just better ‘aging,’ but disease prevention alongside longevity, and are making promising progress toward medications and methods that will be tailored to each specific person, rather than those that promise longer healthier lives for all.  

In this episode of TGen Talks, our host Karie Dozer sits down with Schork to discuss the groundbreaking search for substances that can slow down aging. Imagine a daily pill that not only extends your lifespan but also your health span, delaying age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Schork, with his extensive background in quantitative genetics and translational biomedical science, explains the exciting potential of longevity and health promoting interventions, termed ‘geroprotectors,’ and the race to develop them.

We'll explore the challenges and excitement of developing anti-aging interventions, the race to find effective solutions, and the potential of personalized treatments through “N-of-1” trials. Join us as we delve into the future of aging research and the hope it brings for healthier, longer lives.

Episode 73: The Science of Longevity

Scientists at TGen have released the results of a more than decade-long study into multiple myeloma. Looking at more than 1100 patients from four different countries, scientists identified new genetic subtypes of the disease, providing insights that could transform how we approach treatment (see related story above).

Listen as Jonathan Keats, Ph.D., the study's senior author discusses the findings, their impact on personalized medicine, and how TGen's advanced genomic sequencing is paving the way for more effective and individualized care. In particular, the study has identified a high-risk subgroup of patients with a distressingly short median survival, highlighting the urgent need for tailored therapies and innovative clinical trials.

Episode 74: Breaking Down Multiple Myeloma’s New Subtypes and Their Impact

Every September, the scientific community recognizes postdoctoral researchers during Postdoc Appreciation Week. Postdocs bring new ideas and deep expertise as they tackle complex questions and expand knowledge through experiments.       

In this month’s episode of TGen Talks, Aya Kamzina, Ph.D., one of TGen’s 11 postdoctoral researchers, shares her journey to becoming a postdoc and her experiences at TGen.       

Dr. Kamzina’s educational path began in Kazakhstan and differs from many of her peers.   She discusses her work with organoids and microglia in Dr. Huentelman’s neurogenomics lab, as well as her diverse background in biochemical engineering and molecular biology.   

Dr. Kamzina also explains why she finds TGen’s translational research meaningful and how it aligns with her goals in shaping the future of science.

A Postdoc’s Perspective: Dr. Aya Kamzina’s Path to Research

On this month’s TGen Talks, our host sits down with Leigh Nicholson, Ph.D., who was recently named a research assistant professor in TGen’s Early Detection and Prevention Division. Nicholson studies neurological diseases of all kinds — from the rarest to the very common — including a childhood disorder called Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental syndrome, or OCNDS for short, and Alzheimer’s disease, which affects nearly 7 million Americans. The podcast covers her path to a career in science, her day-to-day research, and why she thinks mentoring young scientists and improving scientific literacy is so important. All this and more, in just under 15 minutes. 

Episode 76: Leigh Nicholson, Ph.D., Researcher and Ambassador

Scientists have long known that farm chemicals can be harmful to human health. Many lawn and garden products used by consumers carry warnings, so that users can protect themselves  when applying herbicides in their own yards.   But which chemicals are the most dangerous? And how much exposure is too much to be considered safe? 

A new study from TGEN and Arizona State University is shedding light on glyphosate, a common chemical in many herbicides, and its findings indicate that not only does glyphosate cross the blood brain barrier, but its damaging effects on the brain can remain long after the exposure. 

Patrick Pirrotte, Ph.D., and colleagues at Arizona State University have identified an association between glyphosate exposure and symptoms of neuroinflammation, as well as accelerated Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology. 

The study tracks both the presence and impact of glyphosate’s byproducts in the brain long after exposure ends, showing an array of persistent, damaging effects on brain health. 

Listen as Dr. Pirrotte discusses the methods used in the research and how the pervasive use of such chemicals means that most Americans, even those who have no exposure to farms or the application of such herbicides have traces of the harmful compounds in their bodies.

Glyphosate’s Long-Lasting Effects on Brain Health

What if the cure for diseases like Alzheimer’s or cancer lay hidden inside the immune systems of llamas, cows, or even sharks?      

On this episode of TGen Talks, TGen’s newest faculty member, Dr. John Fryer, introduces us to the world of nanotherapeutics—a new class of biologics derived from the unique immune systems of animals like camels and sharks. These ultra-small molecules, known as “nanobodies,” are revolutionizing the way we think about treating diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and even sepsis.     

Dr. Fryer explains how these tiny molecules—about 10 times smaller than traditional monoclonal antibodies—can target tough-to-reach areas like the brain, offering new hope for conditions once thought impossible to treat. He dives into his team’s work on neurodegenerative diseases, sepsis, and cancer, and shares how the collaboration between TGen and City of Hope is accelerating the development of these next-generation therapies.     
What’s even more fascinating? How creativity and curiosity drive scientific discovery, with Dr. Fryer’s lab exploring everything from nano and pico bodies to the science behind brain tumors. Tune in to learn about the science, the passion, and the unexpected inspiration that drives this groundbreaking research.

The Power of Nanotherapeutics

In this episode of TGen Talks, which celebrates Women’s History Month (March), we’ll explore how women in science have shaped the world around us, and how their stories continue to inspire future generations of young women to become researchers, leaders, and trailblazers who continue to break barriers.     

Joining the podcast this month is Bethany Davis, Ph.D., an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and a Research Assistant Professor in TGen’s Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division.      

Davis specializes in studying the effects of environmental toxins, like heavy metals, and other conditions that affect the kidneys. She’s particularly focused on understanding the molecular characteristics behind kidney cancer in Native American communities.     

Beyond her research, however, Dr. Davis shares her personal journey into science. As a woman in a field traditionally dominated by men, she’ll highlight some of the unsung pioneers whose work laid the foundation for modern science, reflect on her personal career path, the challenges she’s faced, and her vision for the future of cancer genomics in Native American health.    

Join us for an inspiring conversation that illuminates the power of women in science and their impact on advancing health and innovation.


Episode 79: Breaking Barriers — How Women in Science Help Shape the Future

Pulmonary Fibrosis. A debilitating disease that restricts a person’s lung capacity, controllable with drug therapies, but it’s only “cure” is a double lung transplant. Researchers at TGen have released the results of a study that investigated the disease on a cellular level. Using advanced spatial transcriptomics, they identified hidden disease markers in seemingly healthy lung tissue—offering hope for earlier, more personalized treatments. Targeting these early disruptions could improve lung function and outcomes. With current PF treatments only slowing decline, this discovery, published in Nature Genetics, marks a step toward preventing irreversible damage. In this episode of TGen Talks, Nicholas Banovich, Ph.D., discusses the Nature Genetics finding and the new spatial map of gene expression in lung cells. Instead of blending tissue together and analyzing it, scientists can now examine individual cells and pinpoint where molecular changes happen. We’ll break down what this means, how it’s done, and why it could change the way we study lung disease.

Episode 80: A Spatial Map of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Glioblastoma is the deadliest cancer. It has been in the news lately because of the recent diagnosis of Senator John McCain and former Vice President Joe Biden's Moonshot Initiative. What is glioblastoma and why is it so hard to treat?

Episode 2: Dr. Michael Berens Talks Glioblastoma

Arsenic is a poison, commonly associated with murder mysteries, but did you know that it can be an effective cancer-killer? Learn more from disease detective Dr. Harshil Dhruv at TGen.

Did You Know? Arsenic vs Glioblastoma

Did You Know? Bioscience is as much about computer science as it is about laboratory science! Make yourself smarter in 2 minutes with our latest TGen Talks podcast!

Did You Know? Computer Science vs Lab Science

Dr. Jonathan Keats discusses how multiple myeloma can be multiple cancers from a genetic standpoint. Through his work with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's CoMMpass Study, Dr. Keats' team has sequenced 1,150 patients from 90 sites worldwide. What does this mean for patients?

Episode 5: Understanding Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Jessica Lang, a mother-to-be, discusses a new treatment discovery for ovarian cancer, the deadliest reproductive cancer.

Episode 6: Mom-To-Be Makes Ovarian Cancer Discovery

Steve, a four-year pancreatic cancer, survivor shares his story of hope.

Episode 9: Meet Steve, Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

Patrick Pirrotte, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of the Cancer and Cell Biology Division and the Director of TGen's Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry discusses the role of proteomics in cancer research, and finding new targets for cancer treatment.

Episode 17: A Deeper Look at Proteomics

Following the lifting of social restrictions and individuals returning to work, the medical profession has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. This month on TGen Talks, Tyler Delaughder, D.O., a TGen clinical research coordinator and recent graduate of Midwestern University, shares his interpretations of the medical issues surrounding COVID-19.  
  Dr. Delaughder provides insight on the progress of testing and what we might expect next by looking into the past, identifying human error, understanding the power of Mother Nature, and the body’s own genomic complexities. Is there a way of stopping future viruses from developing or are they inevitable? And how is the progress being made in the labs at TGen and TGen North informing the medical profession during this pandemic. All this and more on TGen Talks.

Episode 28: A Fresh look at COVID-19

TGen Talks explores the human genome to tackle the latest science and discoveries in cancer, neurological disorders, rare diseases, metabolic disorders and infectious disease. Learn about causes and potential cures in our monthly podcast!

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