BioTA Podcast

J. Phil Gibson
  • 4.8 (17)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES

An introduction to biological principles and concepts behind the biology we experience every day.

  1. FEB 17

    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, a researcher who focuses on how immune and inflammatory responses shape human health, helps us understand what the immune system is, how vaccines train it without giving you the disease, and how inflammation, meant to protect us, can sometimes be the root cause of some serious diseases.

    24 min

  2. FEB 11

    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 episode, we break down the central dogma of biology and describe what protein synthesis is, how it works, and how one of the deadliest natural toxins known can bring the process to a complete stop.

    14 min

  3. JAN 14

    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 logic of the Gram stain, explain how differences in bacterial cell walls drive the result, and share practical tips for improving your staining technique.

    14 min
  4. BioTA Revisited: the Botany of Christmas

    12/22/2025

    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.

    24 min
  5. BioTA Revisited: Halloween Botany

    10/31/2025

    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!

    21 min
  6. Dogs and Dandelions – #048

    10/24/2025

    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. In this episode, we dig into how human choices (and mistakes) have shaped species in surprising ways. From the lovable evolution of dogs to the rise of unstoppable, herbicide-resistant weeds, we explore how artificial selection can create both best friends… and botanical enemies.

    15 min
  7. Microbes, Viruses, and Germs… Oh My! – #047

    08/19/2025

    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? How do they infect us? And, more importantly, how can we push back against them? Grab some hand sanitizer and settle in as we untangle fact from fiction about microbes, antibiotics, vaccines, and the science of keeping microbes under control so they don’t ruin your day.

    25 min
  8. Antibiotic Resistance: Monsters We Created? – #046

    07/24/2025

    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 resistance. What exactly is antibiotic resistance? How did it arise? And what kind of microbial “monsters” are we now up against? This episode unpacks the fundamental science behind one of medicine’s most urgent and literally evolving threats.

    17 min
See All (48)

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

An introduction to biological principles and concepts behind the biology we experience every day.

Information

  • Creator
    J. Phil Gibson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © J. Phil Gibson
  • Show Website
    BioTA Podcast