Air pollution isn’t just about what you breathe in today. It’s about how our bodies process toxins and the invisible changes that lead to diseases over time.

In this episode, we talk to molecular and cell biologist Dr. Shaun McCullough to unpack how repeated exposure to pollutants can change how our cells respond, and why those effects aren’t the same for everyone. His laboratory group is developing methods to test the effects of chemical pollutants on airway cells by observing cellular activity and reactions in the laboratory. In this episode, he discusses evidence from a study using new approach methodologies (a.k.a. “NAMs”) to test different amounts of exposure to pollutants on human cells in a controlled laboratory setting, but using real human tissue samples.

From gene expression to personalized risk, this conversation breaks down how modern toxicology is evolving and what it could mean for public health, policy, and your everyday environment.

The views we share are our own and don’t represent our employers or affiliated organizations.

Key Words:

#airpollution #lungdisease #toxicology #NAMs #geneexpression #invitro #pollution #environmentalhealth #respiratorydisease #airwaydisease #environment #molecularbiology #researchapplications

Key Topics:

How repeated exposure to pollutants affects cells differently than one-time exposure

Why individuals respond differently to the same environmental exposures

What NAMs are and how they’re changing toxicology research

Differences between acute vs. chronic exposure

How this research can inform public health and regulation

Links:

Make Science Make Sense Podcast: https://www.makesciencemakesensepod.com

EPA Air Quality Index: https://www.airnow.gov

NIH Initiative on Complementary Animal Research: https://commonfund.nih.gov/animalresearch

Link to the paper discussed in this podcast: https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfab128

How We Met and Why We Started Make Science Make Sense

While translating complex research for broader audiences—and covering for each other as new moms—we noticed a pattern: incredible scientific work was being published every day, but much of it never reached the people who could benefit from it.

That’s why we created @MakeScienceMakeSense, a podcast where each episode takes one scientific paper and works directly with the scientists behind it to translate the research into a clear, engaging story about what the evidence actually means. Our first series will reveal the human relevance of science exploring the potential harms of air pollutants, changes in the ocean’s climate, the impact of child food advertising, the mental health of military veterans, and much more.

Before we launch our first episode translating alongside scientists, we invite you to get to know us a little better. In this special mini-episode, learn about our shared passion for science communication, and along the way, hear about our friendship, our very different personalities, and how singing Taylor Swift in a pedicab in New York City somehow became part of our story.

First our first full episode drops March 23. Please subscribe to stay connected!

The opinions shared here are our own and don’t represent those of our employers or any organizations we’re affiliated with.

🌐 www.makesciencemakesensepod.com

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