For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology

Prof. Keenan Hartert
  • 5.0 (29)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Welcome to For Whom the Cell Tolls! This cast explores the fascinating stories of Biology that I've encountered in my journey as a Biology Professor and lymphoma scientist at Minnesota State University and my previous experience at Mayo Clinic. Major themes to be explored include cancer, tumorigenesis, new therapy mechanisms, immunology, life/death, disease ecology, microbiology, and evolution, among others. I try to integrate philosophy, culture, and the arts alongside emerging Biology findings to share the stories of life that I have always loved. Enjoy! https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com

  1. 07/15/2025

    027 Cancer Surges Among Young Patients - Time Bombs over “Turbo”

    Welcome to our most CONTROVERSIAL episode yet! We address “Turbo cancer” (idk what’s specifically meant by this still but I outline the likely/historical geneses behind these cases), inflammation issues, central dogma basics, mRNA vaccine tech, the rise of the microbiome and its importance for health, and the likely (yet boring) underlying sources of the rising cancer diagnoses among Millennials and younger Gen X patients. We’ll cover what stages and “bombs” were set decades ago. I wish that I had more time to keep going, so maybe we’ll do a part 2 since this is a big, complicated story worth telling, even if the statistically likely ending is sadder and less exciting than most accounts. We’ll break down the shifts in Biology, social media’s ability to spread stories and fear, and the best steps to remain healthy (mostly common sense). I totally forgot to mention microplastics (and nanoplastics) by name in the end of the episode. Consider them some of the most villainous contaminants! Sung 2024: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00156-7/fulltext My other links: https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com/ Check out my new show where I interview my MSU students about their stories and successes in “Degrees Between Us”! It’s a video show, so the YouTube link might be easiest: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnwMyklYPGa-Q7rn4W73K_f5jk_szGFRf&si=h_9PWi1jwHGm4mo2

    40 min

  2. 12/08/2024

    026 Tumors to Textbooks - My Cancer Biology Students Discuss the Science and Future

    Welcome to a special episode where I'm joined by 11 of my Minnesota State students as we close out our Cancer Biology lecture! We weave through discussions surrounding generational causes of cancer, potential next-generation hallmarks, treatment & financial ethics, and what the future hold for this disease as a whole. All said, this one is super fun because there are contributions from pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-STEM students in the room. These 11 wanted to be here, and their enthusiasm shows. I'm grateful for this group and the opportunity to teach.

    38 min

  3. 09/22/2024

    025 Do CAR-T Cells Cause/Become Tumors?

    The basic answer is no. When faced with R-CHOP resistance, DLBCL patients now have the option to utilize genetically modified Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) designed to hunt tumors. This episode investigates the recent controversy into if these super-cells can transition into a villainous tumor themselves. We cover a paper by Garcia et. al. that showcases how much power we are adding to CAR-T, even activating oncogenes to do it. Next, we transition to a large analysis from Stanford where 724 patients are examined, with 1 developing a T-cell tumor. Sequencing this case reveals that no synthetic vector DNA integrations or activity is within the tumor. It ends up revealing a great surprise about shared evolutionary pathways between B & T-cell progenitor stem cells. Enjoy the episode! Follow me on YouTube or Instagram for more fun cancer/teaching content :) Hamilton Paper (TCL After CAR-T): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2401361 Garcia Paper (CARD11 in CAR-T): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07018-7

    22 min

  4. 01/03/2024

    024 Resistance: How Healthy B-cells Fight Back Against Your Tumor

    Hello! I’m recently returned from my annual ASH meeting where I see all of the latest advances in blood cancers. This specific facet was my favorite: small, insurgent populations of healthy B-cells portend better survival because they prime your T-cells to keep fighting. Super cool! I also have some mother grey stories from the meeting to share that I’m hopeful to get out on another episode. Thank you as always for listening!

    13 min

  5. 02/28/2023

    023 Depleted: How we are Beginning to Visualize the Tumor Microenvironment

    Welcome back! It's been a while. I'm excited to get going again with an episode on the emerging science of "ecotyping" the cells around tumors - the microenvironment. Ecology and Evolution of lymphoma tumors is only half the story. We needed to know more about the state of cells around the tumor. How do they affect the surrounding immune cells? Do they support the tumor? We examine the worst possible scenario: when very little remains except for tumor and support cells. What are the consequences for immune-specific therapies like CAR-T cells? Hopefully this episode provides a good intro to our new tools to measure the TME and how it can further advance precision cancer medicine. I hope that you enjoy! Steen: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34597589/ Katlov: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33541860/

    25 min
  6. 022 What if we DNA Sequenced Everybody?

    10/10/2021

    022 What if we DNA Sequenced Everybody?

    What do you think? Would the immensely powerful amount of data be a game-changer for medicine? Or does DNA sequencing miss too much of the picture to be worth the cost? This question is an example why we need leaders that understand Biology as genomics becomes hyper-accessible. I do my best to discuss the primary Pros and Cons of each side, along with possible modifications to the proposal. Enjoy!

    20 min

  7. 04/25/2021

    021 Can DNA Predict Who We Love? Part II

    Can your genome match you with a soulmate? Sort of, but we’d need more than just mammal genomes to know... I hope you enjoy, and collect your thoughts on the proposal at the end of the episode if you’re interested!

    12 min
  8. 020 Can DNA Predict Who We Love? Part I

    03/24/2021

    020 Can DNA Predict Who We Love? Part I

    The Netflix series The One is based on a book with a similar premise: via genome sequencing, we can match you with your best possible partner. The show is a great watch, and the science is not too far outside the possible. In fact, it’s far closer than the Sci-fi elements suggest, although this comes with some caveat changes. This is Part I of a set of episodes related to mass sequencing and how this could relate to medicine, cancer, the inner workings of the genome, and where the human mind falls within that. I hope you enjoy!

    10 min
See All (27)

5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Welcome to For Whom the Cell Tolls! This cast explores the fascinating stories of Biology that I've encountered in my journey as a Biology Professor and lymphoma scientist at Minnesota State University and my previous experience at Mayo Clinic. Major themes to be explored include cancer, tumorigenesis, new therapy mechanisms, immunology, life/death, disease ecology, microbiology, and evolution, among others. I try to integrate philosophy, culture, and the arts alongside emerging Biology findings to share the stories of life that I have always loved. Enjoy! https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com

Information