This Week in Parasitism

by Vincent Racaniello on 13 November 2009

twip_200The first episode of our new science podcast, “This Week in Parasitism“, is now available.

This Week in Parasitism (TWiP) is a podcast about eukaryotic parasites hosted by Vincent Racaniello and Dick Despommier. Following in the path of their podcast ‘This Week in Virology’ (TWiV), they strive for an informal yet informative conversation about parasites which is accessible to everyone, no matter what their science background.

As science Professors at Columbia University, they have spent their entire academic careers directing research laboratories focused on parasites (Dick) and viruses (Vincent). Their enthusiasm for teaching inspired them to reach beyond the classroom with new media. TWiP is for everyone who wants to learn about parasites in a relaxing way.

On episode 1 of TWiP, Vincent and Dick provide an overview of parasites and parasitism.

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Download TWiP #1 (41 MB .mp3, 57 minutes)

Subscribe (free) in iTunes, by the RSS feed or by email

Send your questions and comments to twip@twiv.tv

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  • Etienne
    Great first episode, but once a month doesn't seem enough. Maybe every 2 weeks?
  • Glad you liked it. The second episode will be out in two weeks. If
    there is enthusiasm for TWiP we will certainly consider a more
    frequent schedule, perhaps at the expense of one TWiP episode a month.
  • Hussein
    A very promising 1st episode. Thanks very much. Looking forward for more episodes and hope it becomes more frequent.
  • Mike8
    Hi Professor, Great first podcast. I'm glad you began with the basics. You answered many questions I've been wondering about, such as: Are archaea infectious? What range of parasites exist and why are they here? What IS a parasite? ...I also enjoyed the brief recounting of your professional career, especially during the early years. I look forward to future episodes and would like to hear more about mycoplasma and rickettsia. And, if you feel so inclined, it would be interesting to hear a further discussion of the limitations on host populations caused by parasites, vs. the limitations caused by predators, habitat and availability of food.
  • william lerette-kauffman
    Dear Vincent Racaniello and Dick Despommier,

    The long awaited TWIP inaugural episode fully met my TWIV set expectations. Though I might be delusional due to some pathology, I this shows appeal to match or even exceed TWIV’s. So allow me to start the clamoring early for increased episode frequency, assuming you have the time to produce them.

    I find parasitism fascinating and profound. On TWIV we've been compared to mobile microbial habitats. Isn't our very existence still thought due to structures that originated as a type of parasitism such as mitochondria?

    And lest you have any doubt regarding the widespread public appeal, note the popularity of parasitic monsters that haunt the public imagination such as Alien, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (doesn't this count), zombies, and even vampires (aren't vampire bats parasites?).

    I sincerely appreciate your wonderful creative efforts that succeed in bringing the wonder of science to both the public at large and subject area experts alike.

    Respectfully yours,
    William LeRette-Kauffman
  • Richard
    Guys, please make it every 2 weeks! I think listeners of TWIV won't mind at all if 1 episode is sacrificed in the name of TWIP. Hope to hear more from TWIP soon
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