Episode
#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
2:29:51
Published: Fri Jul 31 2020
Description
Manolis Kellis is a professor at MIT and head of the MIT Computational Biology Group. He is interested in understanding the human genome from a computational, evolutionary, biological, and other cross-disciplinary perspectives. Support this podcast by supporting our sponsors: - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex - Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/lex - MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lex If you would like to get more information about this podcast go to https://lexfridman.com/ai or connect with @lexfridman on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, or YouTube where you can watch the video versions of these conversations. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate it 5 stars on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify, or support it on Patreon. Here's the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. OUTLINE: 00:00 - Introduction 03:54 - Human genome 17:47 - Sources of knowledge 29:15 - Free will 33:26 - Simulation 35:17 - Biological and computing 50:10 - Genome-wide evolutionary signatures 56:54 - Evolution of COVID-19 1:02:59 - Are viruses intelligent? 1:12:08 - Humans vs viruses 1:19:39 - Engineered pandemics 1:23:23 - Immune system 1:33:22 - Placebo effect 1:35:39 - Human genome source code 1:44:40 - Mutation 1:51:46 - Deep learning 1:58:08 - Neuralink 2:07:07 - Language 2:15:19 - Meaning of life
Chapters
The host is promoting Masterclass and Blinkist with a 180 dollar all access pass for courses and a free seven-day trial of Blinkist.
00:00 - 03:53 (03:53)
Summary
The host is promoting Masterclass and Blinkist with a 180 dollar all access pass for courses and a free seven-day trial of Blinkist.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A biologist discusses the beauty of the human genome and how it is hard-coded to ensure normal growth regardless of the time period, as well as the importance of discrete elements in genetics.
03:54 - 12:32 (08:37)
Summary
A biologist discusses the beauty of the human genome and how it is hard-coded to ensure normal growth regardless of the time period, as well as the importance of discrete elements in genetics.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The internet has allowed for the democratization of knowledge, granting access to vast amounts of information from a variety of sources.
12:32 - 19:01 (06:29)
Summary
The internet has allowed for the democratization of knowledge, granting access to vast amounts of information from a variety of sources. This has allowed for a more horizontal transfer of ideas and culture, giving everyone the opportunity to learn and acquire new knowledge.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The willingness to acknowledge that nothing in knowledge is permanent and the expectation of being wrong helps in learning and spreading information better.
19:02 - 24:12 (05:09)
Summary
The willingness to acknowledge that nothing in knowledge is permanent and the expectation of being wrong helps in learning and spreading information better. The current pandemic demonstrates the importance of horizontal transfer and speed in sharing information among the scientific community.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Through the study of the human genome, thousands of genes involved in human cognition, psychology, emotions, and feelings have been discovered.
24:12 - 31:55 (07:43)
Summary
Through the study of the human genome, thousands of genes involved in human cognition, psychology, emotions, and feelings have been discovered. Studying genetic variation has led to a better understanding of previously believed learned behaviors and processes.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how understanding the human brain and the tricks it uses to understand the physical world can lead to advancements in AI systems.
31:55 - 44:20 (12:24)
Summary
The speaker discusses how understanding the human brain and the tricks it uses to understand the physical world can lead to advancements in AI systems. They also mention their mission to apply computer science to better understand the human genome, health, and disease.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Researchers face a dilemma between publishing groundbreaking results and not receiving acknowledgement for fundamental studies already in use by hundreds of people.
44:20 - 49:24 (05:04)
Summary
Researchers face a dilemma between publishing groundbreaking results and not receiving acknowledgement for fundamental studies already in use by hundreds of people. Despite this, now is the best time to be a human being, with new innovation occurring constantly.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concept of genome-wide evolutionary signatures is developed to reveal interesting features within genomes of different species and infer similarities and differences in their functions through evolution.
49:24 - 53:17 (03:52)
Summary
The concept of genome-wide evolutionary signatures is developed to reveal interesting features within genomes of different species and infer similarities and differences in their functions through evolution.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Researchers analyze protein sequences to understand their evolutionary patterns and have discovered an additional gene encoded within the ORF3A gene.
53:17 - 1:00:02 (06:45)
Summary
Researchers analyze protein sequences to understand their evolutionary patterns and have discovered an additional gene encoded within the ORF3A gene. By scanning the DNA's sequence patterns, researchers can identify how a gene has evolved.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The spread of viruses through mammal evolution led to the creation of binding sites for new classes of proteins, such as the spike protein of the coronavirus.
1:00:02 - 1:07:07 (07:04)
Summary
The spread of viruses through mammal evolution led to the creation of binding sites for new classes of proteins, such as the spike protein of the coronavirus. These proteins and other features of the coronavirus are continually evolving as it adapts to different environments and hosts.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The COVID-19 virus hijacks human cells by cutting and cleaving negative strand RNAs resulting in the production of positive strand RNAs that make up the virus, replicating and creating new viral envelopes in the process.
1:07:07 - 1:12:25 (05:17)
Summary
The COVID-19 virus hijacks human cells by cutting and cleaving negative strand RNAs resulting in the production of positive strand RNAs that make up the virus, replicating and creating new viral envelopes in the process.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Genetic variation in blood types and immune function cells can increase the likelihood of death from contracting a virus.
1:12:25 - 1:20:31 (08:06)
Summary
Genetic variation in blood types and immune function cells can increase the likelihood of death from contracting a virus. The human genome has evolved to co-opt immune genes for non-immune functions.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This episode explains how viruses can mix and match their genetic material to create a new hybrid virus with the ability to infect humans.
1:20:31 - 1:24:01 (03:30)
Summary
This episode explains how viruses can mix and match their genetic material to create a new hybrid virus with the ability to infect humans. The possible origins of SARS-CoV-2 are also discussed.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Researchers are conducting single-cell profiling of various tissues to understand the response of both stromal and immune cells to exercise and explore the communication networks that help muscle cells convey the message of exercise to other cells.
1:24:01 - 1:28:18 (04:16)
Summary
Researchers are conducting single-cell profiling of various tissues to understand the response of both stromal and immune cells to exercise and explore the communication networks that help muscle cells convey the message of exercise to other cells. They aim to find magic bullets for treating illnesses such as cancer and coronavirus, with exercise and nutrition improving all aspects of human health.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Our genetic makeup and differences between individuals make it challenging for science to give generalizable advice on diet and health.
1:28:18 - 1:36:16 (07:58)
Summary
Our genetic makeup and differences between individuals make it challenging for science to give generalizable advice on diet and health. However, if we could better utilize the power of our brains through the placebo effect, we could have a greater impact on our bodies' healing and wellbeing.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The process of whole genome duplication in evolutionary niche allows for relief of complexity, creating collections of motifs known as regulatory regions with promoters and enhancers, which recruit the machinery required for transcription, export, and translation of RNA molecules.
1:36:16 - 1:46:05 (09:49)
Summary
The process of whole genome duplication in evolutionary niche allows for relief of complexity, creating collections of motifs known as regulatory regions with promoters and enhancers, which recruit the machinery required for transcription, export, and translation of RNA molecules.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how studying the evolutionary dynamics of the present genome can help us understand which mutations have occurred previously, how they impact rapidly-evolving genes, and how evolution can lead to a new optimum by allowing mutations both to create new functions and break old ones.
1:46:05 - 1:54:17 (08:11)
Summary
The speaker discusses how studying the evolutionary dynamics of the present genome can help us understand which mutations have occurred previously, how they impact rapidly-evolving genes, and how evolution can lead to a new optimum by allowing mutations both to create new functions and break old ones.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The success of deep learning is due to its ability to break down complex information into simple parts that can be more easily recognized by machines, taking advantage of a machine’s ability to read handwriting by training humans to create human-like characters.
1:54:17 - 2:04:14 (09:57)
Summary
The success of deep learning is due to its ability to break down complex information into simple parts that can be more easily recognized by machines, taking advantage of a machine’s ability to read handwriting by training humans to create human-like characters. However, there is still a lot of research needed to develop a human-machine interface that can read electric impulses naturally in our brain and body.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The possibility of connecting our brains directly to a platform like Wikipedia with high enough resolution is being explored by individuals such as Elon Musk.
2:04:15 - 2:18:53 (14:37)
Summary
The possibility of connecting our brains directly to a platform like Wikipedia with high enough resolution is being explored by individuals such as Elon Musk. The challenge is how we truly understand language and the meaning behind the words we use to be able to translate their real depth without baggage or bias.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode explores the importance of continuous learning, collaboration and conveying knowledge, as well as the process of nurturing scientific discovery among colleagues and children.
2:18:53 - 2:28:15 (09:22)
Summary
This podcast episode explores the importance of continuous learning, collaboration and conveying knowledge, as well as the process of nurturing scientific discovery among colleagues and children.
Episode#113 – Manolis Kellis: Human Genome and Evolutionary Dynamics
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, Professor Manolis Kellis shares insights into his work with ancient genomes, epigenetics, and genomics.
2:28:15 - 2:29:27 (01:11)
Summary
In this podcast, Professor Manolis Kellis shares insights into his work with ancient genomes, epigenetics, and genomics. The conversation explores topics such as the origin of life, Neanderthal DNA, and much more.