The first part (of 2) of a brief conversation with Dr. Louise Rollins-Smith, Co-principle investigator for a new National Science Foundation grant to study amphibian population declines in Central and South America. Why, one might ask? Well, Dr. Rollins-Smith and her team are hard at work investigating the medicinal powers of frog-secreted "antimicrobial peptides" that our little green friends use to fight off bacteria, fungi and viruses. Already findings indicate that these might be highly effective against the AIDS pandemic's manifestation, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). If the team's efforts on both fronts converge just right, there may be developments on the horizon that will bring hope to the previously hopeless. Listen to Dr. Rollins-Smith describe the paths and enjoy a visit with this charming and highly motivated scientific pioneer! Download the first 8 minute show here! And look forward to the conclusion next week, as Dr. Rollins-Smith describes how she got into this "bizness" in the first place! Links: Environment News Service 9/30/05 Vanderbilt Reporter 9/30/05 Nashville Tennessean 10/21/05 Frog Sounds used in the show courtesy of Frogsonice