Season 2 Episode 5 | The Science of Cellular Communication | Dr. Anshuman Bhanja, Postdoctoral Scholar UCSD, Immune Cell Signaling

"The Science Of" podcast episode explores biotechnology and immune cell communication with Dr. Anshuman Bhanja from UCSD. Dr. Bhanja discusses his journey from India to the U.S., his switch from engineering to biology, and his research on B cells and T cells. He explains how immune cells communicate using the actin cytoskeleton and the role of N-WASP. Dr. Bhanja also touches on the challenges of cancer immunotherapy, the potential of AI in molecular biology, and his vision for creating chimeric antigen receptor B cells to combat cancer metastasis. The episode emphasizes curiosity, innovation, and the importance of boldness in scientific research.Introduction to "The Science Of" Podcast SeriesIntroduction of the podcast, emphasizing curiosity and the exploration of various scientific topics.The podcast is hosted by students from the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA and the Elementary Institute of Science.Partnerships include the UCSD Moores Cancer Center and Cloudcast MediaThe program is provided by SchoolCAST, a podcast and curriculum program from Cloudcast Media.Welcome to The Science Of" Cellular Communication EpisodeListeners are welcomed to "The Science Of" Podcast series, focusing on biotechnology and immune cell communication.The episode is hosted by Max, Sasha, and Zahraa, with a special guest, Dr. Anshuman Bhanja.Sasha, Max, and Zahraa introduce themselves as high school students.The episode aims to explore the molecular choreography inside our bodies and the potential for life-saving research.Introduction of Dr. Anshuman BhanjaDr. Bhanja shares his background, starting in India, moving to the US in 2016, and pursuing a PhD in cell biology and molecular genetics.He discusses his switch from engineering to biology due to a middle school biology teacher and his interest in cars.Dr. Bhanja explains the challenges of research in India compared to the US, including funding and reagent availability.Dr. Bhanja's Journey and Research FocusDr. Bhanja shares his journey from hating biology in middle school to falling in love with it in high school.He discusses the differences in research support between India and the US.Dr. Bhanja talks about his favorite midnight snack, Oreos, and his dream of visiting Hawaii.He mentions his biggest inspiration, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, and his favorite hobby, surfing.Exploring Cellular CommunicationDr. Bhanja explains cellular communication, emphasizing how cells talk to each other to form tissues and organs.He shares his fascination with immunology, particularly how cells work together to protect the body.Dr. Bhanja discusses the role of B cells in producing antibodies and their communication with T cells.He explains the actin cytoskeleton's role in cellular communication and its impact on immune cell function.Understanding Cancer and Immune Cell CommunicationDr. Bhanja discusses how cancer cells evade the immune system by hijacking communication pathways.He explains the selection process that makes tumors stronger and more resistant to treatment.Dr. Bhanja talks about the role of N-WASP in immune cell function and its critical focus in his research.He shares his interest in studying B cells due to their role in immune function and his mentor's expertise in immunology.Impact of Research on PatientsDr. Bhanja discusses the translational research on car-T cells and their potential impact on cancer treatment.He explains the challenges of translating developmental research into clinical applications.Dr. Bhanja shares his thoughts on the future of AI in molecular biology research and its potential to predict protein structures.He elaborates on the process of creating protein crystals for structural analysis.Future of Immune Cell Communication ResearchDr. Bhanja discusses the potential of understanding immune cell communication to unlock new therapies and technologies.He shares his vision of creating chimeric antigen receptor B cells to target cancer cells more effectively.Dr. Bhanja emphasizes the importance of curiosity and boldness in scientific research.He provides his email for listeners interested in learning more about his work.Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDr. Bhanja shares his message to young listeners, encouraging them to be bold and brave in pursuing their scientific interests.He provides his email for further inquiries about his research.The episode concludes with thanks from the hosts and a reminder of the podcast's collaboration with various institutions.The podcast aims to satisfy scientific curiosities and explore fascinating topics in the world of science."The Science Of" is a student-produced podcast. The team members are Kelsey Lewis, Evan Sosa, Max Arola, August Ou, Danielle-Elizabeth Mensah-Baah, Zahraa Munaim, Josue Castillo, Sasha Goldschmied, and Noor Munaim. The students who appeared on this episode and/or produced the episode are Zahraa Munaim, Max Arola, Sasha Goldschmied.The episode was engineered /mixed/mastered by Christelle Auzas from Cloudcast Media....