How and when did early humans domesticate the plants that we use today? Did these ancient farmers purposefully select traits, or did they domesticate unconsciously? In the future, can breeders and farmers grow more nutritious and robust food using genomics?
In this episode, we talk to Michael Purugganan, an evolutionary biologist at NYU, about some of our favorite foods, where they came from, and what to do to ensure we will still have them in the future.
We also talk about rice, an essential staple crop for the world. Michael describes his genomic work with rice to make it more robust and resilient, especially in the face of climate change and a growing human population. His research is part of a global effort to make a Green Super Rice, a rice variety suitable for the diverse challenges of the future.
Cover art: Keating Shahmehri
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigbiology/supportEp 8: Immune System: Make Love not War
Ep 7: Genes Don't Do Crap (Full Conversation)
Ep 7: Genes Don't Do Crap
Ep 6: Shrimp Fight Clubs and Basic Science (Extra)
Ep 6: Shrimp Fight Clubs and Basic Science (Full Conversation)
Ep 6: Shrimp Fight Clubs and Basic Science
Ep 5: Please Don't Kill the Bats (Full Conversation)
Ep 5: Please Don't Kill the Bats
Ep 4: The Science and Politics of Basic Biology (Full Conversation)
Ep 4: The Science and Politics of Basic Biology
Ep 3: Animal Size and Godzilla's Breakfast (Full Conversation)
Ep 3: Animal Size and Godzilla's Breakfast
Ep 2: Harnessing Randomness (Full Conversation)
Ep 2: Harnessing Randomness
Ep 1: The Drunken Monkey (Full Conversation)
Ep 1: The Drunken Monkey
What is Big Biology?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
Short Wave
Unexplainable
Stuff To Blow Your Mind
Raising Health