Dr Louisa Zoliewski was awarded the inaugural Bruce Cattanach prize for her PhD thesis on the genetics of fat distribution. She tells us how her skills and knowledge have led her to a career in genetic toxicology within the biotech industry.
All tagged genetics
Greg Radick: Disputed inheritance - Raphael Weldon, William Bateson and the battle for genetics
We delve into the history of the war of ideas between Weldon and Bateson, and its knock-on impact on the science of heredity all the way through the 20th century to today
Danuta Jeziorska: Exploring the secrets of the ‘dark genome’
Most genetic alterations linked to disease aren’t in genes but are in the ‘dark genome’. Nucleome is using new technology to shine a light in these unknown depths and find the hidden genetic connections to disease.
Cecilia Lindgren: Understanding the genetics of obesity to support healthy weight loss
Cecilia Lindgren is Professor of Genomic Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Oxford, and director of the Big Data Institute. She’s dedicated her career to understanding why and how people become overweight and obese, and how we can help them.
Thomas Boothby: Surviving at the extremes of life
Prof. Thomas Boothby studies how tardigrades survive extreme conditions and how we can use these adaptations to improve human health, both on Earth and in space.
Kevin Mitchell: how much of our personality is innate?
Where does our personality come from? Obviously our brains have a lot to do with it, but is it genetic differences in our brains that lead to differences in how we think? Is it all in our upbringing and childhood experiences? Or is it something else? To tackle this question, we sit down with Kevin Mitchell, an Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of the book Innate: How the wiring of our brains shapes who we are.
Krystal Tsosie: Exploring Native American genetics
Krystal Tsosie joins us to discuss why Native American genomes are of such interest to modern geneticists, and how Indigenous researchers are working to take ownership of the field.
Matthew Jarron: the life of D'Arcy Thompson
Matthew Jarron, curator of the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, tells us the story of this geneticist’s extraordinary life.
Paige Harden: The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA matters for social equality
Professor Paige Harden talks about her new book, The Genetic Lottery, and how our genes shape our lives.
Reyna Gordon: Is there a ‘music gene’?
Reyna Gordon is combining neuroscience with genetics to understand more about musicality.
Jasmin Pfeifer: Studying congenital amusia - hereditary tone-deafness
Is being tone-deaf in your genes? Jasmin Pfeifer is studying the genetics of amusia, or tone-deafness
Rewriting the genetic alphabet
Hundreds of viruses contain an unusual DNA ‘letter’, known as Z, expanding the genetic alphabet
Stealing genes
Researchers have discovered that whitefly have ‘stolen’ protective genes from the plants they feed on
Meet the Borg
Giant DNA elements enable microbes to assimilate genes from other species
Laura Koehly: Sharing family health histories
Laura Koehly at the National Human Genome Research Institute has a special interest in helping people unlock the valuable information hidden in their family health histories, particularly focusing on underserved and less privileged communities.
Caroline Hayward: How can we use genetic techniques to understand chronic pain?
Caroline Hayward is scanning through the DNA from thousands of people in search of genetic variations that might be contributing to chronic pain.
Blair Smith: Searching for the genes behind chronic pain
Blair Smith is working on the Generation Scotland study to find out if there’s any genetic connection with chronic pain.
Kalina Davies: Supersenses - The evolution of bat echolocation
Kalina Davies is investigating how bats evolved echolocation, using high-pitched sound to sense the world around them.
Elizabeth Castro Salas: Tequila bats and coronaviruses
Elizabeth Castro Salas is studying Mexican tequila bats to find out how they can pick up and transmit infectious diseases like coronaviruses.
Emma Teeling: Bats and why I love them
Leading bat geneticist Emma Teeling explains why bats are so brilliant and what we can learn from their genomes.