Alex Ball, from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Wild Genes programme explains how genetics can be used to help conservation.
All in Animals
Elinor Karlsson: From wolves to dogs and back again
Elinor Karlsson and her team are investigating what gives different breeds their distinctive traits and looking at how dog genes have changed with domestication.
Jessica Hekman: Is there a ‘good dog’ gene?
How do genes influence dog brains and behaviour? And is there a gene for being a Very Good Dog?
Jeff Schoenebeck: Building a boopable snoot
Genetics have a big part to play in building a boopable snoot, from long-nosed greyhounds to flat-faced pugs.
Meet your inner fish
Human and fish embryos share striking similarities thanks to our shared evolutionary origins - it’s time to meet Tiktaalik, the ancient ancestor of your inner fish.
Making a comeback - the science of de-extinction
Every day, species are being snuffed out. One obvious solution to extinction is to invest in conservation. But what about bringing back the species that have already gone?
Driven to extinction
New genetic engineering tools known as gene drives could send mosquitoes extinct. Good idea or not?
Mighty Mouse
Mice are arguably the perfect model organism for human biology, putting on their little white furry lab coats to help researchers understand and treat a huge range of human ailments.
Pretty white for a fly guy
Forget your leggy blondes and busty brunettes, muscled hunks and sexy, skinny guys, the undisputed top model in the world of genetics is the tiny fruit fly.
Spidergoats!
What’s stronger than steel, tougher than bulletproof Kevlar, can withstand temperatures ranging from 200 Celsius down to minus forty, can stretch up to five times its length without breaking, and is made by squeezing goop out of an arachnid’s backside? The answer is of course spider silk – one of the most remarkable substances produced by a living organism that we know of.