“To do this job, you must be curious .... it's really that curiosity, that drive to know, what is the answer to this question? Is this an interesting question? Is this an important question?” – Dr. Rick McLaughlin

In this episode of PNRI Science: Mystery and Discovery, PNRI CEO Jack Faris interviews PNRI Assistant Investigator Dr. Rick McLaughlin on what your genome and an IKEA bookshelf have in common, zombie parasites in our DNA, "junk" DNA, and what makes Darwin smile.

Rick McLaughlin, PhD, is an Assistant Investigator at Pacific Northwest Research Institute. He earned his PhD in molecular biology and protein evolution at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He did his postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Harmit Malik at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, researching the genetics of evolutionary conflict. Dr. McLaughlin also holds faculty positions with the University of Washington’s Department of Genome Sciences and the Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program.

Dr. Rick McLaughlin’s Lab explores the uncharted territory of the human genome, using new technologies to understand how variation in DNA might drive disease. A new project launching soon will investigate how viral genes may contribute to pregnancy outcomes and fetal development.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• [0:00] Meet Dr. Rick McLaughlin
• [2:23] The mystery and importance of the placenta
• [4:47] Gene evolution and placenta development
• [10:25] Placental biology and genome sequencing
• [14:50] Why these are exciting times for biologists
• [20:11] Paths to scientific discovery
• [31:01] Genome stability and mutations
• [37:15] "Junk" DNA
• [42:17] Immune system dysfunction and "incurable" diseases
• [52:30] Curiosity-driven research

From transposable elements, to Shakespeare, to evolutionary biology, to placentas: Rick is truly exploring the unknown and walking on the dark side of the genome. The McLaughlin Lab embodies PNRI’s spirit of intellectual freedom to drive medical breakthroughs. We provide the freedom for scientists to follow where the science leads, and that culture creates incredible discoveries.

To learn more about Dr. McLaughlin, read his in-depth Q&A: https://pnri.org/rick-mclaughlin-dark-side-of-genome or check out his lab webpage: https://pnri.org/mclaughlin-lab

Connect with PNRI, ask our scientists questions, or come on a lab tour! https://pnri.org/about/connect

This podcast is hosted by PNRI CEO Jack Faris and his daughter Anna Faris.

https://www.instagram.com/annafaris/

Follow @PNRIgenetics on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

PNRI Science: Mystery & Discovery goes beyond the jargon to explore the passion and people at the forefront of genetic research. Our host, Jack Faris, is CEO of Pacific Northwest Research Institute, a 68-year-old genetics and genomics research institute in Seattle. He is also a regular guy who happens to spend his days around really smart people.

Jack interviews PNRI’s brilliant scientists to share what excites them about genetic research, what inspired them to become scientists, and those myths about science they would love to bust. His daughter, Anna Faris, introduces each episode, connecting groundbreaking discoveries to everyday life. Join us as we dig into the mysteries that may very well hold the key to our future health breakthroughs.

To learn more about PNRI’s scientists and groundbreaking research, visit pnri.org.

Follow @pnrigenetics on Instagram | X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook.