Cities as biodiversity havens, and gene therapy for epilepsy

<p>On this week’s show: How urban spaces can help conserve species, and testing a gene therapy strategy for epilepsy in mice</p> <p>First up on the podcast, we explore <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf6219">urban ecology’s roots in Berlin</a>. Contributing Correspondent <a href="http://www.gabrielpopkin.com/">Gabriel Popkin</a> joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss turning wastelands and decommissioned airports into forests and grasslands inside the confines of a city.</p> <p>Next, we hear about a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq6656">gene therapy strategy for epilepsy</a>. <a href="https://www.lignanilab.com/lab-members">Yichen Qiu</a>, a recently graduated Ph.D. student and researcher at University College London, talks about introducing a small set of genes into neurons in mice. These genes detect hyperactivity in the brain and respond by quieting the cell, ultimately suppressing seizures.</p> <p>This week’s episode was produced with help from <a href="https://podigy.co/">Podigy</a>.</p> <p>[Image: Maurice Weiss; Music: Jeffrey Cook]</p> <p>[alt: dim photo of the forest of the Schöneberger Südgelände with old railroad tracks receding into the distance, with podcast overlay symbol]</p> <p>Authors: Sarah Crespi; Gabriel Popkin</p> <p>Episode page: <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf6190">https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf6190</a></p> <p>About the Science Podcast: <a href="https://www.science.org/content/page/about-science-podcast">https://www.science.org/content/page/about-science-podcast</a> </p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>