In last week’s episode, we explored the mysterious world of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the ongoing quest to determine what causes this autoimmune disease. While it’s likely that no one single factor leads to the development of MS, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has long been suspected to play a role in this and many other autoimmune diseases and has also been shown to be involved in several cancers. But why? How is this virus implicated in so many diseases? How does it infect us? What does it do once it’s in our bodies? Dr. Micah Luftig, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University, helps to answer these questions and many more about this surprising virus. Not only does Dr. Luftig share his expert knowledge in all things EBV in this interview, he also sheds some light on what a career in academia is like and drops some great advice on how to feel out whether a research career might be right for you. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts!
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Ep 77 Legionnaires' Disease: A Killer Mist
Ep 76 Chickenpox: There's always a 'but'
Ep 75 Mercury: The cost of progress
COVID-19 Chapter 20: Looking forward by looking back
Ep 74 Naegleria fowleri: The "brain-eating amoeba"
COVID-19 Chapter 19: Your Stories
Ep 73 Puerperal Fever: Seriously, wash your hands
COVID-19 Chapter 18: Conservation & Pandemics
Ep 72 White-Nose Syndrome: How deep is your torpor?
COVID-19 Chapter 17: Frontline Mental Health
Ep 71 Onchocerciasis/River Blindness: So many mysteries
COVID-19 Chapter 16: Disparities, Take 2
Ep 70 Henrietta Lacks: HeLa, There, & Everywhere
COVID-19 Chapter 15: Disease, Take 2
Ep 69 Huntington’s disease: Let’s talk frankly
Ep 68 Coccidioidomycosis: It’s never a spider bite
Ep 67 HPV: My wart be with you
Ep 66 The Outs and Ins of Organ Transplantation
Ep 65 Sweating Sickness: Ready, Sweat, Go!
Ep 64 Rubella: Timing is Everything
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