Bonding Over Science

The Muscle of Mussel Feet

On episode three of Bonding Over Science, host Dawn Stringer talks to EMSL user Marcus Foston, who is using synthetic biology to create an underwater hydrogel that mimics the strength of mussel foot proteins. Listen to Foston explain how this hydrogel’s powerful adhesive could replace surgical sutures and fix cracked boats.
Interested in learning more about this topic? Read the web feature about mussel feet research. You can also access the full transcription of the podcast here.

Fungi: Friend or Foe?

In this episode of Bonding Over Science, host Dawn Stringer investigates the underground world of fungi. Scott Baker, fungal biotechnology scientist and microbiologist Davinia Salvachúa break down the importance of fungi to the environment. They also dispel fears that fungi could affect humans as depicted in the fictional series, "The Last of Us," and if fungi are our friend or foe. Read a full transcript on the EMSL website.
Interested in learning more about fungi? Read the web feature about EMSL staff and user scientists who are conducting fungal research.

How algae affects climate and human health

Sit down with Bonding Over Science host Dawn Stringer for a chat with Mickey Rogers, a Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. Rogers talks about her research on how algae particles in the atmosphere affect climate and human health. They even venture into the fictional HBO series “The Last of Us” where they compare and dispel similarities between effects of algal blooms to the concepts about a mutant fungus detailed on the show. Should people on the coast be worried about how algal blooms affect their health? Get to know Mickey and her passion for algae. Read the full transcript on the EMSL website.
For more information on Rogers’ research, check out this article.