Genetics Unzipped
The Genetics Society podcast full of stories from the world of genes, genomes and DNA.
 | 16 November 2023 - S6.22: Dumb luck: Amazing adaptations from happy little accidents In this episode author and science journalist Rebecca Coffey chats with us about some amazing adaptations and Darwinian delights from her book "Beyond primates". She tells us about wasp facial recognition genes, how yeast epigenetics explain the dutch hunger winter and a dinner party tale of spider cannibalism. |
 | 2 November 2023 - S6.21: Time of your life: how circadian rhythms shape the world In this episode we’re clocking in to chat about the genetics of circadian rhythms. How can molecules tell the time, why don't we have drugs for jet lag yet and could a midnight snack stop malaria in its tracks? |
 | 19 October 2023 - S6.20: That’s so extra: Exploring the weird world of extrachromosomal DNA In this episode we’re getting very extra, talking about extrachromosomal DNA - what it is, what it does, and why it’s responsible for all sorts of genetic shenanigans. Plus, we discover what happens when nature gets up to a spot of genetic engineering. |
 | 5 October 2023 - S6.19: Food for the future: Helping plants adapt to a changing world In this episode we’re finding out how plants adapt to a changing environment, and how we might be able to give them a helping hand so that we can keep feeding the world sustainably in the future. |
 | 21 September 2023 - BONUS Hormones: The Inside Story - Is my diabetes my fault? It’s a special bonus episode this week as we wanted to showcase another podcast we think you’ll like, Hormones: The Inside Story, and an episode about the genetics of type 2 diabetes. |
 | 7 September 2023 - S6.18: An Evolutionary Revolutionary: Alfred Russel Wallace and the discovery of natural selection In this episode, we're exploring the epic life of Alfred Russel Wallace; adventurer, naturalist and co-discoverer of natural selection. Biologist and Author, Jim Costa, recounts the life of this often forgotten founding father of evolution. |
 | 24 August 2023 - S6.17: Vax to the future: The science of DNA and RNA vaccines In this episode, we're going "Vax to the Future" to 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? |
 | 10 August 2023 - S6.16 Double helix double crossing? What really happened between Rosalind Franklin, James Watson and Francis Crick? In this episode Dr Kat Arney sits down for an in-depth chat with Professor Matthew Cobb to get the inside track on what really happened between James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin during the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. |
 | 27 July 2023 - S6.15: Cordelia Langford: Making Big Science Happen In this episode we’re going behind the scenes at the world’s leading genomics institute to find out what it takes to make Big Science happen and hear the stories behind the sequencing. |
 | 13 July 2023 - S6.14: Tracking COVID and tackling obesity: Meet this year’s Genetics Society award winners In this episode we’re chatting with two of this year’s Genetics Society award winners - Cecilia Lindgren, who’s an expert on the genetics of obesity and metabolic disorders, and Lucy van Dorp, who has spent the past three years tracing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 around the world. |
 | 29 June 2023 - S6.13: Kings, car parks and consent: should we sequence DNA from human remains? In this episode we’re venturing into ancient territory and archaeological digs, excavating the complex ethics of extracting and sequencing DNA from human remains. |
 | 15 June 2023 - S6.12: Da Vinci’s DNA: What happens when genetics meets art In this episode we’re taking a journey into the world of art and artefacts - exploring what we can learn from extracting DNA from paintings, hair and even chewing gum - and unearthing the genetic secrets of long-dead legends like Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Beethoven. |
 | 1 June 2023 - S6.11: Meet the DNA Detectives hunting the causes of cancer In this episode we’re chasing down the perpetrator of a scientific Whodunnit, joining the DNA detectives on the hunt for the causes of cancer. |
 | 18 May 2023 - S6.10: Space invaders: The amazing adaptations of tardigrades In this episode, Sally Le Page goes microscopic, exploring what tiny tardigrades can teach us about desiccation, vaccine delivery … and even space travel! |
 | 4 May 2023 - S6.09: Raiders of Noah’s Ark: Stealing genetic tricks from the animal kingdom In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page learns about how researchers are stealing genes from the animal kingdom and using them to improve human health. |
 | 27 April 2023 - BONUS Re-release S3.22 - The Past, Present and Future of the Human Genome Project Earlier this week was DNA Day, which this year marks both the 20th anniversary of the Human Genome Project’s completion and the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix! To celebrate, we thought we’d rerelease an episode from series 3, called The Past, Present, and Future of the Human Genome Project, when Kat interviewed the director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr Eric Green about his work on the Human Genome Project from its very inception. Enjoy! |
 | 20 April 2023 - S6.08: Pop goes the genome! Genetics in popular culture In this episode, Dr Kat Arney takes a leftfield look at public communication of genetics, exploring how the science of DNA turns up in popular culture from comics and music to cakes. |
 | 6 April 2023 - S6.07: Chris Hemsworth took a genetic test for Alzheimer's. Should you? In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page waves discusses the genetics of Thor, his Alzheimer’s genetic results and the pros and cons of direct to consumer genetic tests. |
 | 23 March 2023 - S6.06: Bye-bye boys: The genetics behind the extinction of males In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page waves bye-bye to the boys, exploring whether new gene technologies and climate change will make males extinct. |
 | S6.05: GMO or GM NO? The ethics and realities of genome editing In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page explores the history and ethics of genome editing, tinkering with the genetics not only of this generation, but potentially generations to come. |
 | S6.04: The diagnostic odyssey: A journey into genetic testing for rare diseases In this episode, Dr Kat Arney takes we’re off on a journey to the world of rare genetic disorders, exploring the diagnostic odyssey that patients and their families go on in search of answers, the research that’s happening to understand how variations in our genes cause disease, and new approaches for treating these conditions. This episode is supported by the MRC Human Genetics Unit in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at Edinburgh University. |
 | S6.03: Confident, competent or confused: What do you think you know about genetics? In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page takes a step back from sharing the latest genetics stories and instead asking about you the public, what your opinions are, what you know about genetics, or more importantly, what you think you know. |
 | S6.02: Would you Adam and Eve it? In search of our earliest genetic ancestors In this episode, Dr Sally Le Page takes a step back from sharing the latest genetics stories and instead asking about you the public, what your opinions are, what you know about genetics, or more importantly, what you think you know. |
 | S6.01 Baby brain, baby body: the genetics (and epigenetics) of reproduction In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Kat Arney takes a look at the womb and making babies, exploring how birthweight is linked to the risk of diabetes and investigating the multifaceted role of the hormone prolactin across pregnancy. |
 | S525: 2022 Unzipped In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page looks back at our favourite genetic stories from 2022, which includes unheardd bonus bits! |
 | S5.24: Bats, boats and buried bodies: the hidden power of environmental DNA In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page explores the exciting new field of environmental DNA that's being used to sample DNA in the air rare species and to find dead bodies. |
 | S5.23: Birds and bees… and sardines: the genetics of animal behaviour In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Kat Arney takes a look at the birds and the bees - from the unusual migratory habits of European blackcaps and the ‘greatest shoal on earth’ to the division of labour in a beehive. |
 | S5.22 Little Shop of Genetic Horrors: the evolution of carnivorous plants In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page looks at carnivorous plants; asking how they work, what lives inside the digestive juices, and if there's a future for carnivorous crops. |
 | S5.21 Past to present: Searching for evolutionary stories in ancient DNA In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Kat Arney explores what we can discover about our evolution from our DNA, and what evolutionary secrets might be contained in the ancient DNA of our ancestors. |
 | S5.20 Bread and fishes: the future of food in a changing climate Dr Sally Le Page presents this episode of Genetics Unzipped and looks 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? |
 | S5.19 Let there be light: the origins of photosynthesis In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Kat Arney looks back at the origins of photosynthesis and the mysteries of the chloroplast genome. |
 | S5.18 The Genesis Machine Dr Kat Arney presents this episode of Genetics Unzipped and explores the frontiers of genetic enginerring and synthetic biology. Speaking with Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel, authors of the new book The Genesis Machine, Kat takes 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. |
 | S5.17 Genetics of Society: How to be a queen bee In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page takes a look at the genetics of societies, exploring how genes underpin the rigid social structures and roles of bees. |
 | S5.16 Hap-pea 200th birthday, Mendel! This episode of Genetics Unzipped marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Mendel. Kat Arney unearths some of the less well-known stories about Mendel’s life and work, and learns about the latest research into the genetics of human traits that would have blown his mind. |
 | S5.15 Does size matter when it comes to your genes? This episode of Genetics Unzipped considers the importance of genome and gene size, asking if it really matters. Dr Kat Arney asks why the genome has so few genes and why some species have more junk DNA than others. |
 | S5.14 Genes, brains and the mind: How much of your personality is encoded in your DNA? In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page explores genes, brains and the mind to find out how much of our personality is innate, and whether anything we do as adults can change who we fundamentally are. |
 | S5.13 Genetics at your fingertips: stories from the science of identity Dr Sally Le Page presents this episode of Genetics Unzipped, and takes a look at the science of identity. From genetic fingerprinting and how it could bring down a superpower or unearth a 100 year old family secret, to the genetics of fingerprints, and what they tell us about our early life in the womb. |
 | S5.12 In the blood: using circulating DNA to detect and monitor cancer This episode of Genetics Unzipped takes a closer look at how blood can reveal the development, progression and response to treatment of cancer. Presenter Dr Kat Arney discusses circulating tumour DNA with Dr Susan Galbraith, monitoring cancer progression with Prof Charles Swanton and how these insights are shaping cancer treatment with Sir Harpal Kumar. |
 | Repost: Strands of life An episode from the archives: as part of a series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, Kat Arney looks at the discovery of chromosomes, Lyonisation and the case of the missing chromosome. |
 | S5.11 When should you eat your relatives? This episode of Genetics Unzipped asks the age-old question: “When exactly should you eat your relatives?”, with presenter Dr Sally Le Page taking a look at cannibalism across species and history. |
 | S5.10 Squid Game: the strange science of cephalopods This episode of Genetics Unzipped explores the genetic secrets of squid. Presenter Dr Sally Le Page chats with Dr Sarah McNulty about what makes squid so difficult to genetically manipulate and the unusual things they do with their RNA. Professor Jamie Foster then tells us about how sending glow-in-the-dark squid into space can tell us about the human microbiome. |
 | S5.09 Nature, Nurture and 'The Wobble' In this episode, presenter Dr Kat Arney explores the importance of randomness in genetics. How can we explain differences between individuals with identical nature and nurture? We look at how Ben Lehner's worm-breaking research has changed our understanding of epigenetics. |
 | S5.08 Have a heart: the science of xenotransplantation In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Sally Le Page is delving into the seemingly science fiction world of xenotransplantation, that is, taking organs from animals and using them as organ transplants for humans. We chat with cardiologist Dr Rohin Francis about the groundbreaking operation this year transplanting a genetically modified pig heart into a human, and we chat with Professor Angelika Schnieke about how we can avoid getting more than we bargained for from pigs. |
 | S5.07 Face to face: The viruses that made us human In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, Dr Kat Arney is looking at the monkey in the mirror, investigating how flipped genetic switches and long-dead viruses make all the difference between our human faces and those of our closest primate relatives. |
 | S5.06 Introducing exosomes: exciting ideas for biological mailbags In this episode we are unpacking the science behind exosomes: one of the hottest new areas of research for both diagnosing ad treating diseases. |
 | S5.05 Sex and the Single Cell In this episode we are exploring groundbreaking discoveries about the secret sex lives of cancer cells, and what it means for our understanding of tumour growth, evolution and treatment. |
 | S5.04 Genetics of the Americas: from migration to the modern day In this episode we are looking at a genetic history of the Americas; the controversies surrounding how humans first migrated to the continent, plus some of the modern day issues about how Native American genomes are used in genetic research. |
 | S5.03 On Growth and Form: The extraordinary life and work of D'Arcy Thompson In this episode we are exploring the life and work of D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson - one of the first scientists to bring together the worlds of mathematics and biology in the quest to understand how living things are built. |
 | S5.02 Breeding better humans: Exposing the dark legacy and troubling present of eugenics In this episode we sit down with geneticist and author Adam Rutherford for a chat about his new book, Control, which explores the horrific legacy of eugenics and its present-day manifestations. |
 | S5.01 How the zebra got its stripes: When maths and molecules collide In this episode we find out how one of the world's greatest minds revealed the maths behind the stripes on a zebra to the spots on a leopard, and even the pattern of bones in your own body. |
 | S4.26 *Repost* Sex and death In this episode we are telling tales of genetic sex and death, from the evolutionary origins of sex to Francis Galton's dark eugenic fantasies. |
 | S4.25 Best of 2021 In this episode we bring you our favourite bits from 2021, from the history of mRNA to canine superheroes, brilliant bats to the world's most adventurous palaeontologist. Enjoy! |
 | S4.24 The Natural Lottery: How our genes shape our lives In this episode we are chatting with Professor Paige Harden about how genetic variations might affect our chances in life, and what - if anything - we should do with this information. |
 | S4.23 A menagerie of malignancy: Cancer across the animal kingdom In this episode we are taking a trip to the zoo, to find out how studying tumours across the animal kingdom can reveal insights into cancer in our own species. |
 | Bonus: Hormones: The Inside Story - Will taking hormones make me taller? Introducing the second series of hormones: The inside story - the podcast from the Society of Endocrinology, produced by the team behind Genetics Unzipped. Subscribe now wherever you find your podcasts. |
 | S4.22 Wired for sound: The genetics of music In this episode we are getting in harmony with the science of music. Is there a music gene? Does musical talent really run in families? And how does the inability to perceive music impact on daily life? |
 | S4.21 Rarities and Oddities: the strangest genetics stories of 2021 In this episode we are squelching through Californian mud, swimming with platypuses, bearing witness to daylight robbery and even finding time to catch an episode of Star Trek as we look back on the strangest genetics stories of 2021. |
 | S4.20 Baby boom: The surprising science of the placenta In this episode we are exploring the science behind one of the most remarkable but often overlooked organs in the mammalian body: the placenta. |
 | S4.19 Reading the book of life: A brief history of DNA sequencing In this episode we are taking a look at how we learned to read the book of life, from the earliest days of DNA sequencing to the very latest futuristic technologies. |
 | S4.18 Meet the Robinson Crusoe Islanders: the genetic roots of speech and language development In this episode we drop in on the Robinson Crusoe islanders to learn about their story and discover what their genes can teach us about speech and language development. |
 | S4.17 Back to the beginning: Exploring the origins of life In this episode we discover the origins of DNA, find out where genes come from, and explore what's next for the genetic code. |
 | S4.16 Direwolves and Denisovans: Uncovering the stories in ancient DNA In this episode we delve back into the past to discover the stories of Denisovans and direwolves that researchers are now able to read in ancient DNA. |
 | S4.15 Catching cancer: A story of devils, dogs and cannibal hamsters In this episode 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. |
 | S4.14 Genes for all: Making sure everyone benefits from genetics research In this episode we’re meeting some of the researchers who are working to make sure that everyone gets the benefits of genetic research - from underserved communities to entire continents. |
 | S4.13 Six toed cats and cyclops lambs: The story of Sonic Hedgehog In this episode, supported by the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, I sit down with Professor Bob Hill to take a look at the story of our favourite gene - we’ve all got one, right? From six-toed cats to cyclops lambs (and, of course, it’s fabulous name) the Sonic Hedgehog gene has a fascinating history, as well as a whole bunch of interesting science behind it. |
 | S4.12 Why me? Searching for genetic susceptibility to chronic fatigue syndrome and pain In this episode, supported by the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, we discover how researchers are using genetics to understand more about what’s going on in long-term debilitating conditions including ME/CFS and chronic pain, working hand in hand with patients to help to figure out who might be at risk and pointing towards new ideas for treatment. |
 | S4.11 From genes to drugs to bugs: How genetic engineering is used to make medicines In this episode we’re discovering how researchers have used genetic engineering to turn genes into lifesaving drugs such as insulin for people with diabetes, and monoclonal antibodies that are used to treat autoimmune conditions, cancer and infectious diseases like COVID-19 |
 | S4.10 Creatures of the night: the genetics of bats In this episode we’re taking to the night skies with a closer look at the genetics of bats. Usually the stuff of horror films and Hallowe’en, these fascinating mammals have many important genetic secrets to share with us about evolution, longevity, immunity and more. |
 | S4.09 Genes and giants - the science of big and small In this episode we’re taking a look at the genetics of giants and the science of small. Why do some species grow so large? What’s the genetic legacy behind the Giants of Ireland? And what was it about life on a Mediterranean island that miniaturised a mammoth? |
 | S408: Making better medicines: unlocking the promise of genomics for drug discovery In this episode, sponsored by AstraZeneca, we’re finding out how researchers are unlocking the information hidden within the human genome using new technologies like CRISPR gene editing and artificial intelligence with the aim of developing better medicines and getting them faster to the patients who need them. |
 | S407: A brief history of CRISPR: how we learned to edit the genome In this episode we’re taking a look at the history of gene editing, from the early days of restriction enzymes in the 1960s through to the CRISPR revolution and the very latest base editing techniques. But while these tools are undeniably powerful and hold great promise for treating disease, with great power comes great responsibility: what are the acceptable limits of genome engineering in humans, and will we see more CRISPRd babies in the future? |
 | Suffrage Science: Dr Tamsin Edwards We’re bringing you an episode of the Suffrage Science podcast: How women are changing science, from the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences Suffrage Science scheme. |
 | S406: Giving nature a helping hand: how humans are shaping species In this episode we’re taking a look at how humans have made our mark on the animals we share the planet with, from selective breeding to genetic engineering, and changing habitats and the climate. Plus we find out how researchers are using the power of genetics to save species through conservation projects both at home and abroad, and meet the man who made Dolly the Sheep. |
 | S405: How to be a superhero: the hidden powers within your genes In this episode we’re delving into the genetics of superheroes, and explaining why you might have hidden powers within your genes. Unfortunately, I don’t mean the ability to shoot webs from your fingers or save the universe, but something with a lot more real world relevance to human health. |
 | S4.04 - Dogology: The genetics of our four-legged friends In this episode we’re bringing you some scientific ‘tails’ -literally - as we explore the genetics of dog breeds and behaviour. Is there a gene for being a Very Good Dog or having a boopable snoot? And what happened over tens of thousands of years to turn a fearsome wolf into a pug in a party hat? |
 | S4.03 - A dominant character: The life of JBS Haldane In this episode we’re taking a look at the extraordinary life of JBS Haldane, whose work, writing and dominant personality made him one of the most interesting characters of 20th century genetics. |
 | S4.02 - 100 not out? Genes and ageing If you’re noticing things falling apart a bit as you’re getting older, you’re not alone - in this episode we’re taking a look at the genetic changes that underpin ageing, and how we can use this knowledge to live longer, healthier lives. And we find out why the most useful anti-ageing product in your bathroom might be your toothbrush, rather than that fancy moisturiser. |
 | S4.01 Genes and Vaccines: Where mRNA COVID-19 vaccines came from and how they work In this episode we’re taking a look at the story behind the development of mRNA vaccines, and how they’ve been pressed into service at breakneck speed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. |
 | Special: Are my hormones making me fat? Hormones: The Inside Story We bring you a sneak peek of a new science podcast that you might also enjoy, brought to you by the Society for Endocrinology and produced by First Create the Media - the team behind Genetics Unzipped. Presented by Georgia Mills, Hormones: The Inside Story uncovers the truth about how hormones affect stress, sleep, body fat, fertility and almost every aspect of our daily lives and health in this new, expert-led, myth-busting show. Available now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy! |
 | S3.24 Best bits of 2020 In this episode we take a look at some of our favourite bits from the podcast over the year, from dark family secrets revealed by genetic testing to the secret scientific history of bird poop. Sit back, relax and enjoy. |
 | S3.23 Heat, Stick, Duplicate, Repeat: The Story Of The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) In this episode we’re taking a look at the story and the characters behind one of the most transformative - and ubiquitous - techniques in modern molecular biology: the polymerase chain reaction. |
 | S3.22 The Past, Present and Future of the Human Genome Project In this episode we bring you an in-depth interview with Dr Eric Green, director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute and one of the key instigators of the Human Genome Project, to talk about the past, present and future of human genomics. |
 | S3.21 From Philadelphia to Baltimore: Tales of Chromosomes, Cancer Cells and Henrietta Lacks In this episode we’re taking a road trip from Philadelphia to Baltimore, exploring stories of chromosomal cut-and-paste, cancer cures and Henrietta Lacks’ incredible cancer cells. Back in episode 18 of this series we talked about the challenge of diagnosing and treating rare genetics diseases. If you’d like to explore more, RAREfest - the Cambridge Rare Disease network’s festival of arts and science celebrating rare diseases is happening online this year on 28th November. It’s an all-day free virtual festival featuring interactive exhibits showcasing cool science, visionary technology, and pioneering organisations improving lives and bringing hope to those affected by rare diseases, along with talks from experts, patients and family members, as well as art and films. To find out more, head over to CamRareDisease.org/rarefest20 or book your place for free now: RAREfest20 free registration |
 | S3.20 The Future of Cancer: How Genomics is Transforming Research and Treatment for All In this episode, sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, we’re taking a look at how genomic technologies are transforming cancer care - now and in the future, and the importance of making sure that these advances are available to all. |
 | S3.19 Making Babies and Getting Organised: Celebrating Hilde Mangold and Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch In this episode we’re going back to the very beginning, telling the stories of the midwives of the field of developmental genetics, two talented researchers whose work helped to reveal the secrets of life in its very earliest stages: Hilde Mangold and Salome Gluecksohn-Waelsch. |
 | S3.18 Rare, Well Done: Progress and challenges in rare genetic disorders In this episode we take a look at the progress that’s been made in tackling rare genetic disorders, and the challenges that remain. And we hear from a prenatal genetic counsellor about how new tests are helping people carrying genetic variations make decisions about starting a family. |
 | S3.17 Rebel Cell: Cancer, evolution and the science of life In this episode we bring you exclusive excerpts from my new book, Rebel Cell: Cancer, evolution and the Science of Life, exploring where cancer came from, where it’s going, and how we might beat it. |
 | S3.16 Sickness and susceptibility: The ancient war between genes and disease In this episode, we’re taking a look at the ancient war between our genes and the pathogens that infect us, looking back thousands of years to the Black Death and before, all the way through to our very latest foe. |
 | S3.15 Pimp my Genome: the wonderful world of Epigenetics In this episode we take a look at the world of epigenetics - finding out if more than DNA passes on to the next generation, whether Darwin was wrong and Lamarck was right, and how to pimp your genome. |
 | S3.14 The eyes have it: from genetics to gene therapy In this episode, supported by the Medical Research Council, we discover how researchers are letting the light shine in, literally, by bringing discoveries about the underlying genetic faults that cause eye diseases all the way through to game-changing clinical trials of gene therapy designed to save sight. |
 | S3.13 The Cancer Ladies: Maud Slye and Pauline Gross In this episode we tell the stories of two women - one a scientist fascinated by dancing mice, the other a seamstress with a deadly family legacy - who both made significant contributions to our understanding of cancer as a disease driven by genetic changes, paving the way for lifesaving screening programmes for families. |
 | S3.12 Out Standing in the Field: the highs and lows of genetics fieldwork In this episode we’re off on our virtual travels, finding out about the highs and lows of fieldwork. From chasing butterflies up mountains to artificially inseminating kakapos with the help of drones and putting angry birds in paper bags until they poo, we talk to the researchers studying genetics and evolution in action. |
 | S3.11 From one generation to the next: the life and work of Anne McLaren In this episode we’re taking a look at the life of Dame Anne McLaren - one of the leading embryologists of the 20th century, whose work underpinned the development of the in vitro fertilisation techniques responsible for bringing millions of bundles of joy into the world, and much more besides. |
 | S3.10 Out of Africa: uncovering history and diversity in the human genome In this episode we’re taking a virtual trip to Africa to explore the genetic diversity in the birthplace of humanity, discover how researchers can read the cultural and historical stories written in the genome, and discuss the implications for the lack of diversity in our current genetic databases for global health. |
 | S3.09 Twisted history: the true story of the double helix The names of James Watson and Francis Crick are inextricably linked with the discovery of the DNA double helix. And if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll also know that credit is due to Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins and Ray Gosling too. But what about Elwyn Beighton, Fred Griffith or Rudolf Signer? In this episode we’re unwinding history to uncover some of the less well-known stories behind the discovery of the structure and function of DNA. |
 | S3.08 Nothing about me without me: involving patients in genomic research As the tools and techniques for DNA and data analysis become cheaper and more organisations get in on this fast-growing field, it’s vital to make sure that the most valuable research resource - human lives - doesn’t get overlooked in the rush. In this episode, recorded at the recent Festival of Genomics in London, we find out why it’s so important to make sure that both academic and commercial research studies are done with rather than on participants. |
 | S3.07 An accidental invention: the story of genetic fingerprinting 35 years ago this month, a small team of scientists at the University of Leicester published a paper that changed the world. We take a look at the story of genetic fingerprinting, and some of the very first ways that this game-changing technique was put to work. |
 | S3.06 Can you have a 'perfect genome'? Myths and misconceptions in genomics In this episode in partnership with the Genomics Education Programme, we’re taking a look at some of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding genomics and genetic tests. Are mutations always bad? If you’re more like your mum, does that mean you’ve inherited more of her genes? And is there such a thing as a perfect genome? |
 | S3.05 - Poop, pus and the Manhattan Project: How we learned to spell the genetic alphabet If you know a bit of biology, you might know that the genetic code of DNA is written in just four ‘letters’ - A, C, T and G. You may even know that these letters are the initials of the names of the molecules that make up the double helix, known as nucleotide bases: adenine, cytosine, thymine and guanine. But where did those strange-sounding names come from? In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, we go from poop to pus to atomic weapons on our journey to learn about the discovery of these vital chemicals and how they got their names. |
 | S3.04 - Race to the bottom In this episode, we’re hunting for the ghosts in our genomes, telling the story of the discovery of the double helix in Lego, and finding out how to argue with a racist. |
 | S3.03 - Fish, facts and fiction, from Haeckel’s embryos to Tiktaalik In this episode exploring great ideas in genetics, we’re discovering our inner fish - finding out whether we really do go through a fishy phase in the womb, and looking at the legacy of Tiktaalik, the first fish to walk on land. |
 | S3.02 - Hidden family secrets revealed by genetic testing It’s been impossible to ignore the rise in direct-to-consumer and medical genetic testing over the past few years. And as the cost of whole genome sequencing falls - and the potential personal, health and financial value of genomic data rises - this trend is only likely to continue. But do people really realise what they’re signing up for when they spit into a tube or squirt out a blood sample? As we head into the next decade, ethical issues like informed consent and privacy for genomic testing and research are becoming impossible to ignore - especially as your genetic information doesn’t just belong to you but is also shared with your blood relatives. |
 | S3.01 - Investigating the icons of evolution, from Darwin's Finches to the March of Progress In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re exploring a couple of iconic images in evolution - the much-parodied March of Progress, portraying the inexorable journey from monkey to man, and the famous finches of the Galapagos islands, which are supposedly the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Where did these infamous images come from, and do they really show what everyone seems to think they do? |
 | Mini-series: New Light on Old Britons - Galton Institute Symposium 2019 A stellar lineup of speakers covered the latest research into the early history of the British people. Who were these ancient Britons? Where did they come from and what were they like? What's the real story behind the romantic myths about the Celts? And what can modern genetic and archaeological techniques tell us about their lives and loves? Discover the answers in this short series of podcasts and videos from the conference, produced by Georgia Mills and Ed Prosser for First Create The Media. Visit the Galton Institute website to find out more about the society or follow them on Twitter @GaltonInstitute |
 | 028 Sperm wars, sneaky sheep, substandard stallions and more In this episode we’re bringing you highlights from the Society’s Centenary Conference, held up in Edinburgh last month. We’ve got stories of sneaky sheep, substandard racing stallions, the Vikings of the Scottish Isles and a ceilidh with a scientific spin. Plus, news from the front lines of the sperm wars. |
 | 027 Uprooting the tree of life: Darwin, DNA and De-extinction In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re uprooting the tree of life - asking whether we should believe our eyes or our sequencing machines when it comes to deciding what makes a species. Plus, the greatest comebacks of all time - we look at the science of de-extinction and find out whether Jurassic Park could ever become a reality. |
 | 026 The future is now: Curing HIV, advancing CRISPR therapies, predatory phages for superbug infections and advice for a healthy life In this episode we’re reporting back from the Manova Global Health Summit, exploring the latest advances in health technology such as CRISPR-based gene therapies, infection-fighting viruses and a potential cure for HIV. Plus veteran health columnist Jane Brody’s advice for a healthy life, and reflections on progress in cancer from US journalist and advocate Katie Couric. |
 | 025 When 'Becky' met Bateson: Edith Rebecca Saunders, the mother of British plant genetics The history of genetics has a few famous partnerships - such as James Watson and Francis Crick or Francois Jacob and Jacques Monod. But there’s one pair without whom this podcast wouldn’t exist at all, and that’s Edith Rebecca Saunders and William Bateson, who founded The Genetics Society one hundred years ago. |
 | 024 Exploring the Poop-ome, from the microbiome to metagenomic We’re getting our hands dirty by delving into the poop-ome - the trillions of bacteria that live inside our guts and make up what’s known as the microbiome. Rather than simply being a bunch of bugs, the microbiome is now believed to play a role in virtually every aspect of health and disease. But what are they up to? How do we even know what species are in there? And can you blame your stinky farts on your gut bacteria? |
 | 023 Mergers and Aquisitions In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re looking at mergers and acquisitions - but in a biological rather than a financial sense. We find out what happens when two cells decide to move in together, unpack the history of genetic engineering and bleat on about the story of Dolly the Sheep. |
 | 022 Big Questions about the Big C In this episode we’re digging into some of the mysteries around what’s often seen as the ultimate genetic disease, finding out how low doses of radiation might affect cancer risk and why tumours start in some tissues and not others. |
 | 021 In case you missed it... In this episode we’re bringing you a selection of our favourite bits from the year so far that you might have missed. We’re taking a short summer break and will be back again with new episodes from the 12th of September. In the meantime, I’ve picked a few highlights from our earlier episodes that you may have missed. I hope you enjoy listening to them, whether again or for the first time, as much as producer Hannah and I enjoyed making them. |
 | 020 Age, Sex and Death In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re telling tales of sex and death, and exploring the very darkest side of genetics. |
 | 019 The Genetic Time-machine In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re telling tales of sex and death, and exploring the very darkest side of genetics. |
 | 018 Cut. Paste. Copy. Repeat. In this episode from our centenary series covering 100 ideas in genetics, we’re exploring the dark heart of the genome, untying nature’s shoelaces, and looking back at the discovery of RNA splicing. |
 | 017 Happy 100th Birthday to Us In this episode we’re celebrating the actual birthday of the society - founded on the 25th June, 100 years ago - with past president, Nobel laureate and winner of the Genetics Society’s first centenary medal, Sir Paul Nurse. |
 | 016 Genetics by Numbers In this episode from our centenary series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re unravelling the story of the double helix, cracking the triplet code, and sketching out a Punnett square. |
 | 015 Up the Garden path In this episode we’re diving into the valley of hybridisation, visiting the Society’s medal-winning Mendel-based garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Plus, the importance of playing with your genes. |
 | 014 The Seeds of a great Idea In this episode from our series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we’re taking the train to London with William Bateson, seeking the secrets of snapdragons, and unravelling the next generation of DNA sequencing technology. |
 | 013 The Zero Dollar Genome Dr. Kat Arney talks to George Church about his plans for the ‘Zero Dollar Genome’, and finds out how one scientist’s interest in personal genomics got a little too close to home. |
 | 012 Strands of Life In this episode from our series exploring 100 ideas in genetics, we explore the discovery of chromosomes - the strands of genetic material within every living cell - take a look at Lyonisation, and solve the case of the missing chromosomes. |
