In this episode of Science Savvy, I explore how memory shapes identity and human culture.

The episode covers the evolutionary origins of memory, the brain regions involved, how memories are encoded, and how therapies (including MDMA) can help heal traumatic memories.

You will also get practical tips to improve your memory!

About Science Savvy: My name is Carmen Fairley, I have a background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, and currently work in medical advisory. Science Savvy is a podcast that makes cutting-edge research accessible, turning complex science into stories that mean something for you.

Citations / Bibliography:

Chudek, Maciej, and Joseph Henrich. “Culture-gene coevolution, norm-psychology and the emergence of human prosociality.” Trends in cognitive sciences vol. 15,5 (2011): 218-26. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2011.03.003

Brockmeier, Jens. “Memory, Narrative, and the Consequences.” Topics in cognitive science vol. 11,4 (2019): 821-824. doi:10.1111/tops.12412

Sridhar, S., et al. Cognitive neuroscience perspective on memory. PMC 2023

Markowitsch, H. J. Memory and Self–Neuroscientific Landscapes. PMC 2013

D’Argembeau, A., et al. Brains creating stories of selves: the neural basis of autobiographical reasoning. PMC 2013

Martinelli, P., et al. Neural substrates of the self‑memory system: New insights. PMC 2012

Richerson, P. J., & Boyd, R. Gene‑culture coevolution in the age of genomics. PMC 2010

Strikwerda‑Brown, C., et al. “All is not lost” – Rethinking the nature of memory and self in dementia. PMC 2019

Repetto, C., et al. The neuroscience of body memory: Recent findings and implications. PMC 2023

Dégeilh, F., et al. Neural correlates of Self and its interaction with memory in adolescence. PMC 2015

Pais‑Vieira, C., et al. The influence of self‑awareness on emotional memory. PMC 2015

In this episode of Science Savvy, I sit down with Elena Muyo, Scientific Projects & Partnerships Lead at CRIS Cancer UK, to uncover how this unique charity is rewriting the future of cancer research. From dual CAR-T trials in children with leukemia, to a first-in-class lung cancer vaccine, to pioneering treatments for devastating childhood brain tumors, CRIS Cancer is driving science that gives patients options when medicine says “there’s nothing more we can do.”

We talk about the incredible story that started it all, how CRIS selects and funds projects that others overlook, and why every pound donated has a multiplying effect on hope and discovery. If you’ve ever wondered how patient-driven science can change the course of cancer treatment, this is the episode for you.

About Science Savvy: My name is Carmen Fairley, I have a background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, and currently work in medical advisory. Science Savvy is the podcast that makes cutting-edge research accessible, turning complex science into stories that mean something for you.

Citations / Bibliography:

National Cancer Institute. What Is CAR T-Cell Therapy? cancer.gov

Maude SL, Frey N, Shaw PA, et al. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells for sustained remissions in leukemia. New England Journal of Medicine. (also available via PMC)

Fesnak AD, June CH, Levine BL. Engineering T cells: the intersection of synthetic biology and adoptive cell therapy. Nature Reviews Cancer.

June CH, Sadelain M. Chimeric antigen receptor therapy. New England Journal of Medicine.

Newick K, Moon E, Albelda SM. CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors. Annual Review of Medicine.

Frontiers in Immunology / Frontiers in Oncology. Articles on CAR-T in solid tumors and tumor microenvironment challenges.

Cancer Research UK / CRIS Cancer Foundation. LungVax project announcement. news.cancerresearchuk.org

Elliott T (et al.). Details of neoantigen-based lung cancer vaccine design (as reported by CRUK)

BioNTech / mRNA vaccine clinical trial reports (e.g., BNT116 in lung cancer).

PMC articles / reviews on checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer (e.g. anti‑PD‑1 / anti‑PD‑L1 therapies).

Frontiers in Immunology / Frontiers in Oncology – studies combining immunotherapy in thoracic cancers, mechanisms of resistance, tumor microenvironment.

National Cancer Institute / NIH press / Cancer Currents. CAR T trial in DMG.

Studies on ONC201 in H3K27M mutant gliomas (e.g. University of Michigan / clinical trial reports).

Reviews of prognosis and therapeutic challenges in diffuse midline glioma (e.g., clinical trial databases, Pediatric Neuro‑Oncology journals).

American Cancer Society / Cancer.org. Overview of Clinical Trial Phases.

Cancer Research UK. Explanation of how clinical trials work, purposes of phases I, II, III.

Lupus Research / NIH / NCI / adaptive trial methodology sources. Phase I/II and Phase II/III design explanations.

In this episode we talk about "having great genes", but also weird ones, ancient viral ones, and even one named after Sonic Hedgehog (look it up!). W dive into how your DNA is more like a script with a dimmer switch than a fixed destiny. From epigenetics and retroviruses to schizophrenia research, stem cells, and the pitfalls of 23andMe, we explore the science written into your genome.

Thank you to Aitana Padilla for coming on the show. Aitana is a neuroscientist in training with a deep focus on the genetics of mental health. She currently investigates how human endogenous retroviruses (remnants of ancient viral infections embedded in our DNA) may influence schizophrenia!

Further reading and references:

Human Endogenous Retroviruses as Pathogenic Factors in Schizophrenia: Slokar G, Hasler G. Front Psychiatry. 2016;6:183. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00183.

Implication of human endogenous retroviruses in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Ellul P, Groc L, Leboyer M. Med Sci (Paris). 2017;33(4):404-409. doi:10.1051/medsci/20173304010.

Heritability of Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Spectrum Based on the Nationwide Danish Twin Register: Hilker R et al. Biol Psychiatry. 2018;83(6):492-498. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.08.017.

Schizophrenia as a Complex Trait: Evidence from a Meta-analysis of Twin Studies: Sullivan PF et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003;60(12):1187-1192. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.60.12.1187.

Huntington's Disease: A Clinical Review: Roos RA. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010;5:40. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-5-40.

The Relationship Between Cannabis Use, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder: A Genetically Informed Study: Cheng W et al. Lancet Psychiatry. 2023;10(6):441-451. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00143-8.

Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined Factors: Takahashi K et al. Cell. 2007;131(5):861-872. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2007.11.019.

Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic and Adult Fibroblast Cultures by Defined Factors: Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Cell. 2006;126(4):663-676. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.07.024.

Animal Models of CNS Disorders: McGonigle P. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;87(1):140-149. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2013.06.016.

Advances Toward Precision Medicine for Bipolar Disorder: Haggarty SJ et al. Mol Psychiatry. 2021;26(1):168-185. doi:10.1038/s41380-020-0831-4.