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Superheroes and science fiction meet the cutting edge of biological sciences in this podcast. Where does the science meet the fiction? Listen and find out! If you have suggestions for a topic or would like to be a featured guest, please contact biologyofsuperheroes@gmail.com
Episodes
Saturday Feb 02, 2019
Saturday Feb 02, 2019
In this episode, we take a look at the Star Trek Universe! We explore evolution, genetics, the search for intelligent alien life and interspecies boot-knocking. We chat with Dr. Mohamed Noor of Duke University, an evolutionary geneticist and author of Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek can teach us about Evolution, Genetics and Life on Other Worlds. Could alien nanobots actually evolve? Is it possible that Captain Kirk has illegitimate alien babies running around the galaxy? Take a listen a find out!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Saturday Jan 19, 2019
Saturday Jan 19, 2019
Because we just can't get enough of The Erins, we had to post this alternate ending to our epic crossover with This Podcast Will Kill You. The Erins nerd out with us about superpowers and send us all back to the wonderful memories 90's young adult scifi. Just...the...best
Sunday Dec 09, 2018
Sunday Dec 09, 2018
In this episode we take a look at Spiderman's longtime nemesis, Venom. We explore the character's origins, what it would take to survive on an asteroid headed towards earth and the amazing biological phenomena that can result from symbiotic relationships. We interview Dr. Heather Olins, whose research focuses on the biology of marine extremophiles and Dr. John McCutcheon who studies symbiosis in the natural world. Take a listen and enjoy!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Happy Halloween! This episode is one part of a very special 2-part crossover event with This Podcast Will Kill You. We chat with Dr. Erin Welsh and Dr. Erin Allmann-Updyke about death, epidemics and behavior manipulating parasites. How do we diagnose death? What happens in our bodies after we die? Is it possible that parasites could manipulate rotting corpses to feast on the unsuspecting masses? Take a listen and find out!!!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Thursday Oct 11, 2018
Thursday Oct 11, 2018
We're back!!! In this episode we sit down with Dr. Evan Kingsley, a developmental biologist at Harvard Medical School, to chat about dinosaur sounds. What did dinosaurs sound like and how can we learn about animal sounds from millions of years ago? Take a listen and find out!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Sunday May 06, 2018
Sunday May 06, 2018
This episode comes to you live from the historic Roxy Theatre in Missoula, MT as part of the 41st Annual International Wildlife Film Festival. We were able to chat with Dr. Doug Emlen, professor of biology at University of Montana and author of Animal Weapons: The Evolution of Battle. We talk about the parallels between weapons in the comic book multivese and those that have evolved across the tree of life. Camouflage, horns, claws, and human technology - we've got you covered. Enjoy!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Friday Mar 09, 2018
Friday Mar 09, 2018
In this episode we talk about Jurassic Park and the science of de-extinction. We chat with evolutionary biologist and MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Beth Shapiro. She tells us all about the possibilities, complications and ethical dilemmas of bringing back ancient and extinct species. Can we get dino DNA? How would we use it to create a living, breathing animal? What are the dangers of this kind of technology? Check it out!
Music By The Passion HiFi
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Thursday Feb 01, 2018
Thursday Feb 01, 2018
Earth 1's Barry Allen meets Earth 2's Jay Garrick in a classic showdown of speedsters! How did evolution play out on their respective worlds to get such similar results? We talk with Dr. Jonathan Losos, evolutionary biologist and author of Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution to get some insights! Check it out!
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Wednesday Jan 03, 2018
Wednesday Jan 03, 2018
In this episode we explore Peter Parker as an engineer and try to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific tools he would need to master to become Spiderman. I interview Dr. Jonathan Kluge, Director of Research and Development at Vaxess Tecnologies, who spends his time thinking about cutting edge applications for silk. How does Spiderman produce so much of his web formula? How do his webshooters work? What is silk being used for in the real world? Take a listen and find out!
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Friday Dec 01, 2017
Friday Dec 01, 2017
In this episode we discuss the limits of form and function when it comes to Spiderman's webs. I sit down with Dr. Todd Blackledge, who studies the behavior and biomechanics of web building in spiders. What exactly is spider silk? How strong is it? Where in the natural world would Peter Parker go to get inspiration for his custom web formula? We've got you covered. Check it out!
Music By The Passion HiFi
www.thepassionhifi.com