Bones, Stones, and Genes: The Origin of Modern Humans

Discussion – Genetics of Bitter Taste Perception

with Sarah A. Tishkoff, PhD and Michael C. Campbell, PhD
  1.  1.  Introduction of Dr. Michael Campbell
  2.  2.  The biology of bitter taste perception
  3.  3.  The audience tastes PTC (phenylthiocarbamide)
  4.  4.  Overview of bitter taste perception
  5.  5.  Molecular genetics of bitter taste perception
  6.  6.  World haplotype distribution of PTC-tasting genetic variation
  7.  7.  PTC-tasting genotype and phenotype in Africa
  8.  8.  Genotype and phenotype analysis of audience
  9.  9.  Correlation between genotype and phenotype is not absolute
  10. 10.  Conclusions about bitter taste genetic variation
  11. 11.  Q&A: Do different types of taste correlate with each other?
  12. 12.  Q&A: Are taste and smell connected?
  13. 13.  Q&A: How does "miracle fruit" trick the taste buds?
  14. 14.  Q&A: Could there be undiscovered taste types?
  15. 15.  Q&A: Does location on tongue affect ability to taste?
  16. 16.  Q&A: How is sample size determined for your studies?
  17. 17.  Q&A: Are bitter taste ability and poisonous-plant regions correlated?
  18. 18.  Bitter taste receptors may have other roles in human biology
  19. 19.  Bitter taste variation predates modern humans
  20. 20.  Some people are "bitter blind"
  21. 21.  Q&A: Can the rate of evolution be calculated?
  22. 22.  Q&A: Can other animals taste PTC?
  23. 23.  Q&A: What conclusions can be made about bitter taste evolution?
  24. 24.  Q&A: How might environment influence bitter taste ability?
  25. 25.  Q&A: Do other genes influence bitter taste ability?
  26. 26.  Q&A: Why did you study bitter taste?
  27. 27.  Q&A: What are the advantages to being able to taste PTC?
  28. 28.  Q&A: Can bitter taste ability change over one's lifetime?
  29. 29.  Q&A: Can taste research lead to ways to alter taste perception?
  30. 30.  Q&A: How could your research influence the medical industry?
  31. 31.  Q&A: How does background knowledge influence your research?
  32. 32.  Q&A: How did you become interested in this field of research?
  33. 33.  Q&A: Are college classes lectures or hands on?
  34. 34.  Q&A: What is the next step after post-doctoral research?
  35. 35.  Q&A: Does research ever get boring?


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