The Dose: The Human Anatomy Subway
Omicron updates, the human anatomy subway, and breaking cliches with Semih Tareen
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The Serious Stuff
In this section, we share the most important pandemic and science updates.
💉 One year anniversary. It’s been a year since the world administered the very fist dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. How far have we come since this triumph in history? Well, we have administered more than 8.49 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines across the globe, which is an astounding 41.9 million doses a day. However, this figure amounts to only 56.1% of our world population having received at least one dose. We still have some way to go to beat this pandemic. Read more
🦠 Omicron updates. Early data from South Africa show that natural immunity from prior infection provides less protection compared to vaccination. Other data also show that 74% of new cases are now Omicron infections, overtaking the Delta variant as the predominant strain. While we still don’t know how well vaccination protects against infections caused by Omicron, we know that vaccine-induced immunity provide more protection compared to that from natural infection. Read more
The Beautiful Stuff
In this section, we share pieces at the intersection of science and art that have us obsessed.
😰 What does an anxious brain look like? Ever felt anxious about something, and then felt anxious about feeling anxious? There is a way to keep from this perpetual spiral- by getting your neurons to unlearn fear. Have fun exploring the neuroscience behind exposure therapy (a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) in this interactive site.
🚝 The human anatomy subway. Just how complexly efficient are our bodies? Check out Simmonds’s re-imagination of the human anatomy. Traverse the human body by hopping on any of its subway lines- those of the nervous, biliary, gastrointestinal, lymphatic systems and more, to learn of their intricate interconnections.
💨 Can carbon removal save us? Cutting emissions alone isn’t enough to save us from the climate emergency. So how does carbon removal work? What tools might we have to extract CO2 from the atmosphere and locking it underground? This comic explains all of that- and why it might not be enough.
🐟 Beauty of the school. How lucky are we to capture the movement of a school in all its elegance? A behavior evolved to evade predators, hunt more efficiently and reduce swim fatigue, fish swimming in schools are truly a sight to behold. We recommend you listen with the sound on, and pair this stunning clip with an article on why fish do not need to be ‘schooled’ in swimming.
The Inspiring Stuff
Welcome to this week’s special feature. In this space, we get up close and personal with a scientist or science communicator whose work inspires us.
Breaking cliches with Semih Tareen, scientist and award-winning filmmaker.
In this issue, we meet the scientist breaking all stereotypes. When he isn’t in the lab, he’s decked out in his favourite band tees and leather jacket, communicating science to the general public or producing his next film. We chat with Semih Tareen: virologist, award-winning film producer, music composer and self-proclaimed metalhead. You might have seen him in the viral video "Kids Meet Virologist" with nearly 1M views.
Semih holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology and is currently Senior Director at Sana Biotechnology. An expert in gene and cell therapy, he is currently working helping develop cures for cancer- including one FDA-approved drug: Breyanzi. Ever since he turned to the internet to share the science behind COVID-19, his online presence has taken off. He has been featured on several news articles, TV stations and other YouTube channels, with a social media presence that is skyrocketing. Let’s dive right in.
What does a week in your life look like?
I am a senior director at Sana Biotechnology where we use viruses and cells to try to develop cures for diseases like cancer. I haven't been in the lab for several years but I manage several scientists who do the actual experiments.
I spend most of my time at work interacting with these amazing scientists, helping shape the direction of the science and the strategy of our research/development.
In addition to being a scientist I am a sailor, filmmaker and film composer so I spend a lot of my non-scientific life in these areas.
What drew you to film and music composition?
As a child I fell in love first with cartoons, cartoon music, and then later film and film music. I seriously considered working in film music composition full time but I cannot imagine a life without science; I love it as much as I love film.
For me film and music is not a hobby but a side business: I studied film music composition, I have been composing music for films for 20+ years, have won several awards, and my latest film (that I produced and also composed the music for) is available on Amazon Prime, Tubi and Vudu (it is called HOLIDAY HELL).
What got you interested in science communications?
I have been told that I have a gift for making hard scientific topics accessible to the general public. For this reason I have been giving public talks about the work I do (viruses, gene therapy, cell therapy) to general audiences around town.
However, when COVID-19 started, I turned to the internet and started a YouTube channel to explain the virology and science behind SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine development .
I am also interested in breaking the stereotypes about what a scientist looks like. I am a metalhead and horror-film fan, and look/dress as such. So for this reason I incorporate my personal touch to my videos and social media channels.
You have experienced such a fruitful career across the STEM and Arts fields. What would you consider your proudest personal achievements?
I cannot think of a life without my work in science and arts. I find both to be inseparable really. More than the achievements, being involved and the impact it creates is what drives me.
Sure, I have publications, patents, and have worked on several therapies (one of which is FDA approved) that has saved lives. I have also made films and music that have won awards and hopefully inspire others.
But in both science and arts it is the relationships that I have built over the years with colleagues and fellow artists that make me the happiest.
What are some developments in your field that you're most excited about?
The fact that viruses can be used to cure diseases is what excites me the most. Even though gene therapy and the use of viruses for gene therapy has been around for 30+ years, we are truly seeing a boom in their use for curing diseases like cancer.
Being in this space and seeing how it grows over the next 5-10 years will be mind-blowing.
If you could tell your 21-year old self three things, what would they be?
Stick to science and arts. Drink less beer. Don't worry.
Want to keep up with Semih? Follow him on Twitter, Instagram (science and personal) and Youtube. If you are a film or horror fan, you might enjoy his latest film HOLIDAY HELL and the soundtracks he has composed.
That’s it for this issue!
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