For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology and Other Stories

About For Whom the Cell Tolls: Cancer Biology and Other Stories

Welcome to For Whom the Cell Tolls! This cast explores the fascinating stories of Biology that I've encountered in my journey as a Biology Professor and lymphoma scientist at Minnesota State University and my previous experience at Mayo Clinic. Major themes to be explored include cancer, tumorigenesis, new therapy mechanisms, immunology, life/death, disease ecology, microbiology, and evolution, among others. I try to integrate philosophy, culture, and the arts alongside emerging Biology findings to share the stories of life that I have always loved. Enjoy! https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com

Publisher

Prof. Keenan Hartert

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Oct 2018

Latest episode

22 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 28 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   22 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   028 AI is a Tumor - 12 Hallmarks Until Midnight

   Cancer scientist Dr. [Host Name] interviews [Guest Name] about how AI's rapid evolution mirrors the 12 hallmarks of cancer, offering insights into preserving humanity.

2. 

   15 Jul 2025

   027 Cancer Surges Among Young Patients - Time Bombs over “Turbo”

   Welcome to our most CONTROVERSIAL episode yet! We address “Turbo cancer” (idk what’s specifically meant by this still but I outline the likely/historical geneses behind these cases), inflammation issues, central dogma basics, mRNA vaccine tech, the rise of the microbiome and its importance for health, and the likely (yet boring) underlying sources of the rising cancer diagnoses among Millennials and younger Gen X patients. We’ll cover what stages and “bombs” were set decades ago. I wish that I had more time to keep going, so maybe we’ll do a part 2 since this is a big, complicated story worth telling, even if the statistically likely ending is sadder and less exciting than most accounts. We’ll break down the shifts in Biology, social media’s ability to spread stories and fear, and the best steps to remain healthy (mostly common sense). I totally forgot to mention microplastics (and nanoplastics) by name in the end of the episode. Consider them some of the most villainous contaminants! Sung 2024: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00156-7/fulltext My other links: https://profkeenanhartert.weebly.com/ Check out my new show where I interview my MSU students about their stories and successes in “Degrees Between Us”! It’s a video show, so the YouTube link might be easiest: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnwMyklYPGa-Q7rn4W73K_f5jk_szGFRf&si=h_9PWi1jwHGm4mo2

3. 

   8 Dec 2024

   026 Tumors to Textbooks - My Cancer Biology Students Discuss the Science and Future

   Dr. Alex Reimer's cancer biology students discuss the science and future of cancer, exploring generational causes, treatment ethics, and the disease's evolution.

Inside a recent episode

028 AI is a Tumor - 12 Hallmarks Until Midnight

Published 22 Jul 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] You know, we never needed money. There was always funding, art, like all this cool stuff. That philanthropy kind of just like went throughout Omaha. It was a beautiful place. It still is. I do fear that Buffett might be one of the final billionaires that is like kind of like those golden age types. I don't know if they're going to really come to save us in any way. So, and then my last little bit, and I've said this before, I am a STEM person. I love this for its stories and its pieces, but human art, the ability to write, you know, create movies, you know, true art, things like that. That's the beauty that humans have. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

62,042

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

29 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

23 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

53

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

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