Can a tick bite make you allergic to steak?In this episode of From Bench to Bedside, Dr. Zachary Rubin and Dr. Melanie Matheu explain Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a rapidly emerging food allergy caused by tick bites that can trigger delayed allergic reactions—even life-threatening anaphylaxis—hours after eating red meat.They discuss: • The immunology behind alpha-gal syndrome • Why symptoms are delayed • How the condition was first discovered • Current diagnostic strategies • Tick prevention • Emerging treatments under investigation • Common myths and misinformation surrounding alpha-galAs the geographic range of lone star ticks continues to expand, awareness of alpha-gal syndrome has never been more important.If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and share it with someone who spends time outdoors—or anyone interested in the science behind food allergies.

From Bench to Bedside is a science-forward medical podcast that cuts through the noise, the hype, and the misinformation. Hosted by Dr. Zachary Rubin, MD, a double board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist, and Dr. Melanie Matheu, PhD, an immunologist, scientist and entrepreneur. This podcast brings you the combined perspectives of a medical doctor and PhD scientist on what’s actually happening in medicine, public health, and biomedical science.Each episode bridges the gap between what the research shows (“the bench”) and what patients experience in the real world (“the bedside”). We break down topics like vaccines, immune system myths, chronic illness claims, viral health trends, and breaking medical news using evidence, clinical reasoning, and scientific context.Whether you’re a clinician, scientist, student, or just someone trying to make sense of today’s health information landscape, From Bench to Bedside is here to help you think more clearly about health and medicine.🎙️ New episodes regularly📍 Educational content only; not medical advice