Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Podcast for Inquiry S01E13: Emma Allen-Vercoe on the importance of microbes to human health

Dr. Allen-Vercoe (@EmmaAllenVercoe) talks about how to think of microbe populations across different people, and why they are important for digestion and overall health. She describes her research on the microbiome of the Yanomami, and why it is important. The role of serendipity in scientific progress is often underemphasized, and Emma shares how one such moment led to an enormous grant for colorectal cancer research. She explains her role in improving a disgusting but effective medical intervention. Finally, Emma summarizes her extensive efforts to fight pseudoscience and the need for personalized medicine in the years to come. 

Listen to our conversation here:

A video recording is also available: 



1 comment:

  1. Karolina SygulaJune 30, 2022 12:57 am

    Glad to hear that curiosity didn't kill the scatologist!

    Speaking of serendipity and pseudoscience, l learned that naturopaths are not bound by science when they perform fecal transplants to treat autism, just before watching this talk! Good to know, coprocephali!

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-naturopath-fecal-transplants-jason-klop-court-hearing-1.6504615

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