We tell the story of transmissible tumours, looking at the history of contagious cancers in dogs, devils, clams and cannibal hamsters. Plus, the man who caught cancer from his tapeworm.
All in Animals
S4.13 Six toed cats and cyclops lambs: The story of Sonic Hedgehog
From six-toed cats to cyclops lambs, we explore the fascinating story and science behind the Sonic Hedgehog gene.
S4.10 Creatures of the night: the genetics of bats
We’re taking to the night skies with a closer look at the genetics of bats and what they can tell us about evolution, longevity and susceptibility to infections like coronaviruses.
S4.09 Genes and giants - the science of big and small
We’re taking a look at the genetics of giants and the science of small. Why do some species grow so large? Who was the ‘Irish Giant’? And why did life on a Mediterranean island miniaturise a mammoth?
S4.06: Giving nature a helping hand: how humans are shaping species
We take a look at how humans have made our mark on the species we share the planet with, and how we can use genetics to help save them.
S4.04 - Dogology: The genetics of our four-legged friends
Is there a gene for being a Very Good Girl or having a boopable snoot? And how do you turn a fearsome wolf into a pug in a party hat?
027 - Uprooting the tree of life: Darwin, DNA and de-extinction
Should we believe our eyes or our sequencing machines when it comes to sorting species? Plus, the greatest comeback of all time - we find out whether Jurassic Park could become reality.
007 - Supermodels of science
In this episode from our series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re entering the glamorous world of modelling, meeting the supermodels… of science.
004 - Witness the fitness
We’re taking a dive into the world of evolutionary genetics to witness the fitness - we ask whether street smart city-dwelling birds are genetically different from their country bumpkin relatives, how butterflies got their brightly patterned wings, and if today’s genetic research would have blown Darwin’s mind.