The Jellyfish Deserves a Nobel Prize - DTNS WEEKEND
Summary
Dr. Nikki joins the show to explain the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded for the discovery of optogenetics. They discuss how this technology uses light-activated proteins to control specific neurons, allowing scientists to map brain networks and study conditions like Parkinson’s. The conversation highlights the critical role of basic science, tracing the technology’s origins from algae research to the use of jellyfish-derived fluorescent proteins for visualization.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Camtasia, Grainger, LBS, and Okta
Intro: 2026 Nobel Prize and the Jellyfish Joke
Explaining Optogenetics and 1970s Algae Research
The 2005 Breakthrough: Gene Editing and Live Mice
Applications: Visualizing Brain Networks in Real Time
The Role of GFP and How Neurons Are Lit Up
Sponsors: ChatGPT, Camtasia, Booth, Wayfair, LBS
Jellyfish Origin of GFP and Nobel Prize Debate
The Importance of Basic Science and Funding Risks
Outro: Guest Links and Patreon Promotion
Sponsors: Camtasia and Onnit Total Human
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