The Interstitium

Update: 2023-11-17

Description

In this episode we introduce you to a part of our bodies that was invisible to Western scientists until about five years ago; it’s called "the interstitium," a vast network of fluid channels inside the tissues around our organs that scientists have just begun to see, name, and understand. Along the way we look at how new technologies rub up against long-standing beliefs, and how millions of scientists and doctors failed to see what was right in front (and inside!) of their noses. We also find out how mapping the anatomy of this hidden infrastructure may help solve one of the fundamental mysteries of cancer, and perhaps provide a bridge between ancient and modern medicine.Special thanks to Aaron Wickenden, Jessica Clark, Mara Zepeda, Darryl Holliday, Dr. Amy Chang, Kate Sassoon, Guy Huntley, John Jacobson, Scotty G, and the Village Zendo

EPISODE CREDITS -

Reported by - Lulu Miller and Jenn BrandelProduced by - Matt Kieltywith help from - Ekedi Fausther-Keeyswith mixing help from - Arianne WackFact-checking by - Natalie Middletonand Edited by - Alex Neason

EPISODE CITATIONS -

Articles: Check out reporter Jenn Brandel’s companion essay to this episode in Orion magazine, titled, Invisible Landscapes (https://zpr.io/NKuxvYY84RvH), which argues that the discovery of the interstitium could challenge established practices of compartmentalizing in science and society.Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday. It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.

Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Comments (3)

Daniel Cortés

I am a doctor and in my first year of school they taught us about the interstitium and the lymphatic system. So they giving it a name that already existed is even farfetched. My impression is that they are trying to spin it as it is an organ; which is kind of new but the interviewers are not doing a good job. I love radiolab but this is not up to my standards

Nov 21st

kps3

I want to keep positive but this somehow triggered me. There seems to be a real lack of imagination and general knowledge from the wests self appointed arbiters of medical science. maybe too many doctors are too busy doing breast implants and peen to vag conversions, thinking about their multiple revenue streams and what not. I don't know how else to explain how in the last 100 years none of these people looked at live tissue under a microscope. unbelievable.

Nov 19th