Is being tone-deaf in your genes? Jasmin Pfeifer is studying the genetics of amusia, or tone-deafness
All in Health
Sam Behjati: The placenta is a genetic dumpster fire
Sam and his colleagues have discovered that the placenta is packed with genetic mutations, many of which are found in cancer.
Ros John: Why the placenta is the battleground between mum and dad
Ros’s research focuses on understanding maternal mental health, imprinted genes and the role of the placenta during pregnancy and even beyond.
Dianne Newbury: Studying speech and language development on Robinson Crusoe Island
Dianne Newbury is studying the Robinson Crusoe Islanders to understand how genetic variations contribute to speech and language problems.
Sara Hull: Responsible genomics research with tribal and indigenous communities
Sara Hull is a bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health who helps genomics researchers make sure their work is done ethically and doesn’t cause harm to the people involved.
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.
Charles Rotimi: Powering up African genetics research
Charles Rotimi is the driving force behind the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) project looking at genomics and health across the continent.
The story of Sonic Hedgehog
From six-toed cats to cyclops lambs, we explore the fascinating story and science behind the Sonic Hedgehog gene.
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.
Chris Ponting: Decoding the genetics of ME/CFS
A major new research study called DecodeME is searching for genes that may explain why some people are more likely to develop ME/CFS.
Andy Devereux-Cooke: Putting patients at the heart of research
Andy Devereux-Cooke is one of three people on the DecodeME study management team, providing a vital patient voice for this important research project searching for genes involved in ME/CFS.
From insulin to Humulin – the story of the first genetically engineered drug
We discover how researchers used genetic knowledge to created life-saving insulin for people with diabetes, and ask why it is so expensive in the US.
“Blood is an unusual fluid”: The therapeutic antibody revolution
The story of how researchers figured out how to recreate the most complex yet powerful proteins in the human immune system - antibodies - and use them for treating disease.
A growth industry: The story of human growth hormone
We explore the story behind the development of synthetic human growth hormone.
Designer DNA and Bugs as Drugs
The advent of synthetic DNA technology has added a new dimension to drug discovery, with new and exciting ways to fix genetic diseases and turn bacteria into drugs.
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.
Giant steps - Charles Byrne, the Irish Giant
We explore the story of Charles Byrne, the ‘Irish Giant’, and the genes of gigantism.
Steve Rees: Homing in on the right targets
Steve Rees and his team at AstraZeneca are focusing on the first step of the drug discovery journey: coming up with the new ideas and targets that could lead to the new medicines of tomorrow.
Dave Michalovich: Using AI to seek out new drug targets
Dave Michalovich from Benevolent AI discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can help researchers figure out what might be going on in disease and home in on the best targets for new therapies.