As 2023 draws to a close, we’re bringing you a smorgasbord of previously unaired clips from some of our favourite interviews this year.
All in Genetic engineering
S6.19: Food for the future: Helping plants adapt to a changing world
We’re finding out how plants adapt to a changing environment, and how we might be able to give them a helping hand.
S6.17: Vax to the future: The science of DNA and RNA vaccines
We look at the science behind DNA and RNA vaccines. How do they work? What can they do? And how can they be made at scale so that more people around the world can benefit from them?
S6.10: Space invaders: The amazing adaptations of tardigrades
In this episode we’re going microscopic, exploring what tiny tardigrades can teach us about DNA damage, vaccine distribution and even astronaut health in space.
S6.05: GMO or GM NO? The ethics and realities of genome editing
We're exploring the ethics and regulations of genome editing. What is allowed? What shouldn't be? And who should get to decide? Plus we explore a new exhibit on the topic that lets the public have their say.
S525: 2022 Unzipped
It’s the final episode of 2022, so we’re looking back at our favourite genetic stories of the year plus some bonus bits from our interviews that have never been heard before.
S5.22 Little Shop of Genetic Horrors: the evolution of carnivorous plants
There’s something unnatural about carnivorous plants. We’re so used to plants being at the bottom of the food chain, that to see them trapping, killing and eating animals seems to go against the laws of nature. But of course, carnivory in plants is very real and has evolved multiple times in response to a lack of nutrients. In this episode we’re looking at how carnivorous plants work, what lives inside the digestive juices, and even a future with carnivorous crops.
S5.20 Bread and fishes: the future of food in a changing climate
In this episode we’re looking at the future of food. With climate change making crop harvests more unpredictable and fresh water becoming a more scarce resource, what are geneticists doing to make sure we will still have food on our plates? Dr Kat Arney chats with Dr Hannah Rees about giving wheat jet lag to create a more reliable crop, and Dr Sally Le Page talks to Dr Tarang Mehta about breeding genetically improved tilapia for fish farming.
S5.18 The Genesis Machine
We’re exploring the frontiers of genetic engineering and synthetic biology with Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel, authors of the new book The Genesis Machine - taking a look at what’s possible now, what’s coming fast in the future, and what we as individuals and wider society should do about it.