For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology

For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology

Welcome to For Whom the Cell Tolls! This cast explores the fascinating stories of Biology that I've encountered in my journey as a Biology Professor and lymphoma scientist at Minnesota State University and my previous experience at Mayo Clinic. Major themes to be explored include cancer, tumorigenesis, new therapy mechanisms, immunology, life/death, disease ecology, microbiology, and evolution, among others. I try to integrate philosophy, culture, and the arts alongside emerging Biology findings to share the stories of life that I have always loved. Enjoy! https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com

Episodes

July 15, 2025 39 mins

Welcome to our most CONTROVERSIAL episode yet! We address “Turbo cancer” (idk what’s specifically meant by this still but I outline the likely/historical geneses behind these cases), inflammation issues, central dogma basics, mRNA vaccine tech, the rise of the microbiome and its importance for health, and the likely (yet boring) underlying sources of the rising cancer diagnoses among Millennials and younger Gen X patients. We’ll co...

Mark as Played

Welcome to a special episode where I'm joined by 11 of my Minnesota State students as we close out our Cancer Biology lecture! We weave through discussions surrounding generational causes of cancer, potential next-generation hallmarks, treatment & financial ethics, and what the future hold for this disease as a whole.


All said, this one is super fun because there are contributions from pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-STEM studen...

Mark as Played
September 22, 2024 21 mins

The basic answer is no. When faced with R-CHOP resistance, DLBCL patients now have the option to utilize genetically modified Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) designed to hunt tumors. This episode investigates the recent controversy into if these super-cells can transition into a villainous tumor themselves. We cover a paper by Garcia et. al. that showcases how much power we are adding to CAR-T, even activating oncogenes t...

Mark as Played
Hello! I’m recently returned from my annual ASH meeting where I see all of the latest advances in blood cancers. This specific facet was my favorite: small, insurgent populations of healthy B-cells portend better survival because they prime your T-cells to keep fighting. Super cool! I also have some mother grey stories from the meeting to share that I’m hopeful to get out on another episode. Thank you as always for listening!
Mark as Played

Welcome back! It's been a while. I'm excited to get going again with an episode on the emerging science of "ecotyping" the cells around tumors - the microenvironment. Ecology and Evolution of lymphoma tumors is only half the story. We needed to know more about the state of cells around the tumor. How do they affect the surrounding immune cells? Do they support the tumor? We examine the worst possible scenario: when very little rema...

Mark as Played
October 10, 2021 20 mins

What do you think? Would the immensely powerful amount of data be a game-changer for medicine? Or does DNA sequencing miss too much of the picture to be worth the cost? This question is an example why we need leaders that understand Biology as genomics becomes hyper-accessible. I do my best to discuss the primary Pros and Cons of each side, along with possible modifications to the proposal. Enjoy!

Mark as Played
Can your genome match you with a soulmate? Sort of, but we’d need more than just mammal genomes to know... I hope you enjoy, and collect your thoughts on the proposal at the end of the episode if you’re interested!
Mark as Played
March 24, 2021 10 mins
The Netflix series The One is based on a book with a similar premise: via genome sequencing, we can match you with your best possible partner. The show is a great watch, and the science is not too far outside the possible. In fact, it’s far closer than the Sci-fi elements suggest, although this comes with some caveat changes. This is Part I of a set of episodes related to mass sequencing and how this could relate to medicine, cance...
Mark as Played

This episode covers how gene therapy may emerge as a critical tool for medicine as we seek to treat the previously untreatable. Can we ADD genes to specific cells to help humans overcome fated genetic ailments? Why has this process challenged us in the past? And lastly, who is going to pay for all these expensive viral delivery systems? Join to take a first look at how medicine and genetics can change the future.

Mark as Played
BONUS EPISODE - I collected the top 20 insights from my personal and professional colleagues that completed or are currently undertaking medical school or another healthcare program to share with my students. This episode is a recorded conversation with several of my students over video. I share what I can from my experiences, those of colleagues, and also address student questions. I hope it offers something new for those of you c...
Mark as Played
April 1, 2020 53 mins
Join me and Gustavus Adolphus College colleague Katie Peterson to discuss our research, how we teach, our paths to becoming professors, and student questions! In this episode we address interdisciplinary connections between evolution, environmental change, and cellular biology. We hope you enjoy!
Mark as Played

This episode covers the basics of how a cancer begins. Genetic mutations can often knock out genes responsible for keeping an eye on how many cell divisions are allowed. Once these are out of the way, aggressive growth genes can overcome them and cause initial tumor populations to form. After further successive survival advantages are gained, tumors eventually break free from their original organ/tissue and wreak havoc. Learning ho...

Mark as Played

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells (CAR-T) represent one of the most profound and exciting advances in modern medicine and science. Many lymphoma patients fail therapy after therapy with little recourse. CAR-T aimed to stop that. Taking immune T-cells from the patient, engineering them to target cancer cells, and re-releasing them into the patient would’ve sounded crazy 20 years ago. Thanks to modern technology, science, and clinica...

Mark as Played
July 10, 2019 24 mins

We live in an age where social media provides a platform for everything - good and bad. I wanted to summarize how ideas can be spread, weaponized, and distorted, much like a disease. We also briefly go over the differences between ideas and beliefs. The episode takes a look at how stem cell clinics offer hope through social media without a solid foundation of biology with which to apply their therapies (that nobody knows how to con...

Mark as Played
Today’s episode details my research area: B-cells and the resulting lymphomas. The journey of a B-cell is violent and chaotic. To produce the best possible antibody protein against pathogen, the body employs an all-or-nothing tool: DNA modification. Nowhere else in the body is the DNA in cells actively manipulated and changed, except in B-cells. It’s no wonder they result in so many lymphoma cases. Tune in to learn more about this ...
Mark as Played

This is an exciting and quick episode that mainly covers the findings of a recent Daniel D. Carvalho paper in Nature Reviews called “Epigenetic therapy in immune oncology” where the authors elaborate on new mechanisms of cancer treatments. Essentially, the epigenetic Cancer therapies that cause genes to reprogram the “on/off” state also awaken ancient relic viruses that lie dormant in our DNA, which subsequently leads to a massive ...

Mark as Played

Domestication is a very interesting process and was first performed millions of years ago. The relationships between humans and dogs is of particular interest, as are the genetic and developmental changes that make them possible. We also delve into controversy and how the process of tameness selection brings along more than what’s expected. Enjoy, and go hug your dog or cat!

Mark as Played
Everything you’ve heard about CRISPR is likely closer to the truth than not. The possibilities are exiting, and the possibilities are terrifying. This episode dives into the logic and ethics behind CRISPR-Cas9’s DNA-changing capabilities and what it means for science, healthcare, and war. Now is a good time to start learning about this next step in technology and to form your thoughts, because since we’ve opened this box it will be...
Mark as Played

Today’s episode is the first one that is primarily driven by literature and philosophy, namely borrowing themes explored in Frankenstein and Paradise Lost. Victor Frankenstein’s fraught relationship with his creature is a devastatingly emotional purview into what life is. The influence from Paradise Lost and our subsequent relationship with a creator initiates a powerful dialogue worth exploring. General aspects of being creative a...

Mark as Played
November 20, 2018 15 mins

Today’s episode covers the basics of evolution so that we can address a case of extreme survival in some of the smallest organisms to exist: yeast! Cancer evolution makes appearances as well, including new mechanisms of tumor evasion that can develop when we treat cancer with different therapies. Stories of how organisms put everything on the line to defy their environment and survive are what Biology so fascinating. Plus, who does...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.