This episode is with Michael Levin and William RatCliff. Mike is a Professor in the Biology department at Tufts University. He is a pioneer in the study of bioelectricity, regeneration, and morphogenesis. Will is a Professor in the School of Biological Science at Georgia Tech. He is a leading expert in the study of how single-celled organisms evolved into complex multicellular life forms. Here, we talk about how cells cooperate, evolve, and build the diversity of life we see today. Specifically, we discuss about evolution of multicellularity, the role of bioelectricity in evolution, and the emergence of regeneration.
Guests info:
William RatCliff-
Website: https://ratclifflab.biosci.gatech.edu/
X: https://x.com/wc_ratcliff
Michael Levin-
Website: https://www.drmichaellevin.org/
X: https://x.com/drmichaellevin
Episode links:
Website:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/NULzvSGpmvE?si=qMjfKNyMzKrUmdRm
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Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-biology-works-with-michael-levin-and-william/id1641776894?i=1000690266570
YouTube music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NULzvSGpmvE&si=Fi1CksVMCBDPe9nv
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:06 How do you picture a cell?
00:12:36 Problem of definitions in biology
00:15:37 What is multicellularity?
00:25:58 Why can’t unicellular or early multicellular organisms communicate over long distances?
00:31:10 Cells as colonial organisms—how do they coordinate with identical genomes?
00:48:11 Introducing snowflakes
01:14:36 How does cellular specialization happen, and what makes it unique?
01:16:34 Can different experimental conditions lead to new types of specialization?
01:33:25 What drives cellular specialization?
01:34:46 What happens at the cellular level in diseases like cancer?
01:43:52 How do you view aging from a cellular perspective?
More on Reason with Science:
1) Chemistry of life and death | Nick Lane | Reason with Science | Origin of life | Biochemistry (https://youtu.be/YolIkk_oJdI)
2) Collective intelligence of cells | Michael Levin | Reason with science | Bioelectricity | Biology (https://youtu.be/yFNWuHOtM1w)
More conversations/talks by Mike:
1) Michael Levin: Biology, Life, Aliens, Evolution, Embryogenesis & Xenobots | Lex Fridman Podcast (https://youtu.be/p3lsYlod5OU) @lexfridman
2) Bioelectric Networks: Taming the Collective Intelligence of Cells for Regenerative Medicine (https://youtu.be/41b254BcMJM) @ForesightInstitute
3) Michael Levin | Cell Intelligence in Physiological and Morphological Spaces (https://youtu.be/jLiHLDrOTW8) @SEMF
4) Michael Levin: The electrical blueprints that orchestrate life | TED (https://youtu.be/XheAMrS8Q1c) @TED
5) Michael Levin: Morphogenesis, Regeneration, & Xenobots (https://youtu.be/Z0TNfysTazc) @TheoriesofEverything
More conversations/talks by Will:
1) Mindscape 175 | William Ratcliff on Multicellularity, Physics, and Evolution (https://youtu.be/1GCTVwZfBuQ?si=7h1vlRNbL11vlcsf) @seancarroll
#reasonwithscience #biology #evolution