From First Principles
Podcast Description
We break down the week’s biggest science headlines from first principles—because understanding the world shouldn’t require a PhD.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show focuses on breaking down complex scientific topics from first principles, with episodes covering themes such as cosmic discoveries, advancements in biotechnology, and notable astronomical events. Recent episodes have explored subjects like the characteristics of the interstellar visitor 3I ATLAS, the capabilities of the Vera Rubin Observatory, and the implications of CRISPR advancements.
We break down the week’s biggest science headlines from first principles—because understanding the world shouldn’t require a PhD.
AI, Eyes, and the Sky — From Synthetic Genomes to Restored Vision and Cosmic Mysteries
Hosted by Lester Nare and Krishna Choudhary, this episode of From First Principles explores three cutting-edge breakthroughs connecting medicine, technology, and astronomy.
Summary
• AI for Oncology, Minus the Privacy Risk: University of Toronto researchers develop OncoGAN—a generative model that creates realistic synthetic cancer genomes to accelerate precision oncology while protecting patient data.
• Restoring Sight: The PRIMA (PRIMAvera) trial in NEJM demonstrates how a wireless sub-retinal photovoltaic implant can restore central vision in people with advanced macular degeneration.
• Revisiting Cosmic Transients: New analyses of Palomar’s POSS-I plates re-examine the “multi-point transients” with fresh alignment statistics and an innovative Earth’s-shadow control test.
Show Notes
• University of Toronto — OncoGAN / Synthetic Cancer Genomes (Cell Genomics)
• NEJM — PRIMA (PRIMAvera) Wireless Sub-Retinal Implant Trial for Geographic Atrophy
• Palomar POSS-I Plates — Multi-Point Transient Analysis (IOP PASP Paper)
• Palomar Alignment vs Earth’s Shadow Control (Nature Scientific Reports 2025)
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