In this episode of Science Nation, host Sorin Badea (Radio Guerrilla) sits down with Andrei Tudose (Marginal) and researcher Alexandra Ciocan (Institute of Biology Bucharest) to explore the antimicrobial properties of the smoke tree and Edelweiss through transdisciplinary research.
Alexandra Ciocan explains her work alongside artist Ana Dimitriu, investigating laboratory callus cultures of smoketree under varying environmental conditions to extract compounds with antimicrobial properties. The conversation also highlights in vitro Edelweiss culturing and how lab-grown plant tissues allow researchers and cosmetics industries to harness protective UV-resistant metabolites without harvesting protected wild populations.
Alexandra Ciocan is one of the researchers in residence in the framework of Otherwise Residency 2026, organized by Marginal in partnership with the Institute of Biology Bucharest and 2Celsius.
Science Nation is a weekly podcast and radio column, co-hosted by Sorin Badea and Andrei Tudose, on the Update show, at Radio Guerrilla.
Otherwise Residency 2026 is co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund - AFCN and implemented with the financial support of the French Embassy in Romania and the French Institute in Romania.
The project does not necessarily represent the position of The Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or the manner in which the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding recipient.
