Caption: Four nucleic acid bases, represented by the letters A, C, G, and T, make up your DNA. Researchers are working to decode their secrets., Credit: Flickr user skreck.
Image by: Flickr user skreck. 
Four nucleic acid bases, represented by the letters A, C, G, and T, make up your DNA. Researchers are working to decode their secrets. 

Distillations Episode 138: Your Genome

Series: Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Length: 00:13:29

Embed_button
On this episode of Distillations we go straight to the source ... your DNA. First, we learn how technological advances are putting the dream of a $1,000 genome within reach. Then we discuss the implications of having genetic information at our fingertips. Read the full description.

Asset_upload_file189_74994_thumbnail_small Each of us is made of more than 20,000 genes that determine everything from our tendency towards baldness to our likelihood to suffer from Alzheimer's disease. On this episode ofDistillations we look at how researchers have sought to identify our individual genomes and how they can be interpreted. First, we learn how advances in DNA sequencing technology are increasing the likelihood that soon we will all have our genomes mapped. Then we talk to an expert in personalized medicine about the pros and cons of having such sensitive information available.

Also in the Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast series

Caption: Remember when I leeched all the calcium from your bones?, Credit: Flickr user paparutzi.

Distillations Episode 147: Babies (00:13:43)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

Big eyes, soft skin, squeezable cheeks. No doubt, babies are adorable. But in this episode we take a break from our cooing to examine some more serious aspects of parenthood. ...
Caption: Don't let the cuteness fool you. This cat is spreading dander all over its owner's house., Credit: Flickr user admiller.

Distillations Episode 146: Something in the Air (00:14:22)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose? We all know what that means: allergies. On this show we look at pet dander, a common cause. Then we talk to a researcher dissecting the ...
Caption: Pittsburgh's Schenley High School in its glory days., Credit: Wikimedia.

Distillations Episode 145: Asbestos (00:14:03)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

Asbestos, once a miracle product, is now a plague on the aging infrastructure to which it's bound. In this episode we explore a Pennsylvania town where a wide swath of ...
Caption: What is it and what does it do?, Credit: courtesy of the Bendix Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Collection, CHF Collections.

Distillations Episode 144: Mystery of Mass (Spec) (00:13:18)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

In this episode we look at the diverse history of mass spectrometry, starting with a single question: exactly what is it? Then we dip into CHF's oral history collection to ...
Caption: Hydrogen and chlorine sitting in a tree... Image from Real Fairy Folks: Explorations in the World of Atoms, by Lucy Rider Meyer, 1887., Credit: Courtesy of CHF's collections.

Distillations Episode 143: Fairyland of Chemistry (00:09:56)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

In this episode we travel back in time to the Victorian era, when innovative teachers used fairies to convey complicated ideas in chemistry. We adapted one of these whimsical ...
Caption: Godzilla attacks!, Credit: Flickr user Marxchivist.

Distillations Episode 142: Mid-century Mutants (00:14:40)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

On today's show we look at the real and imagined implications of genetic modification in the middle of the 20th century.
Caption: Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon on April 21, 2010., Credit: Flickr user EPI2oh.

Distillations Episode 141: Disaster Recovery (00:13:42)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

On this episode we look at how environments recover after natural and manmade disasters. First, we hear about how ecosystems repair themselves after hurricanes. Then we see ...
Caption: What's in a kiss?, Credit: Flickr user Scented Mirror.

Distillations Episode 140: Swapping Spit (00:12:41)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

Pucker up! On this episode we investigate the kiss. First, what's in the saliva we share with each other? Then we interview Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of ...
Caption: Symptoms of extreme fandom can sometimes include the wearing of funny hats., Credit: Flickr user seantoyer.

Distillations Episode 139: The Brain on Sports (00:11:37)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

On this episode of Distillations we look at the science of sports. First, we learn how athletes go the distance, chemically speaking. Then we look into the brain of a fan. ...
Caption: A sunny burst of flavor! Photo of Buddha's Hand Citron Vodka by Erin Hall, courtesy of St. George Spirits.

Distillations Episode 137: Cocktail Chemistry (00:13:20)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation

Cheers! On today's episode of Distillations we belly up to the bar to learn about distilled spirits. Then we look ahead to the next morning to determine if our tried-and-true ...

Piece Description

Each of us is made of more than 20,000 genes that determine everything from our tendency towards baldness to our likelihood to suffer from Alzheimer's disease. On this episode ofDistillations we look at how researchers have sought to identify our individual genomes and how they can be interpreted. First, we learn how advances in DNA sequencing technology are increasing the likelihood that soon we will all have our genomes mapped. Then we talk to an expert in personalized medicine about the pros and cons of having such sensitive information available.

Broadcast History

Podcast on January 6, 2012

Timing and Cues

0:00 Opening Credits
0:32 Introduction
1:36 The $1,000 Genome
4:56 Interview: Michael Christman
12:57 Closing Credits

Additional Credits

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio for researching this episode.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Music from Music Alley includes "That Spells DNA," by Jonathan Coulton. Music from the Free Music Archive includes "Divider," by Chris Zabriskie, and "II //\\ II," by Discount Fireworks. This episode also features "Terrarium Vacation," by Andrew Chalfen.

Related Website

http://www.chemheritage.org/distillations