006 - Big fat failure

006 - Big fat failure

Author: The Genetics Society February 14, 2019 Duration: 30:30

We’re looking at the genetics of failure - why we fail to lose weight thanks to our genes, and why billions of dollars are wasted developing drugs that don’t work. Full show notes and transcript available at https://geneticsunzipped.com/blog/2019/2/14/006-big-fat-failure


Ever wondered how a monk's garden peas changed science, or what your own DNA might reveal about you? Genetics Unzipped, presented by The Genetics Society, explores these questions and countless others, weaving together the past, present, and future of heredity. This isn't a dry lecture series; it's a collection of conversations and narratives that make the complex world of genes feel immediate and fascinating. Each episode delves into a specific story, whether it's a historical breakthrough, a debate in modern medicine, or the surprising genetic connections in nature and our daily lives. You'll hear from researchers, historians, and sometimes the subjects of genetics themselves, all unpacking how DNA shapes health, fitness, evolution, and what it means to be alive. The podcast moves seamlessly from the fundamentals to the frontiers, making the science accessible without oversimplifying the profound implications. Tune in for a thoughtful and engaging exploration that goes far beyond the helix, examining the very code that writes our stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 168

Genetics Unzipped
Podcast Episodes
*Repost* Strands of life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Our next episode has been held up, so we're taking the opportunity to look back at our series exploring 100 ideas in genetics. This episode was one of Kat's favourites, where she explores the discovery of chromosomes - t…
S5.11 When should you eat your relatives? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:02
In this episode of Genetics Unzipped, presenter Dr Sally Le Page explores the gruesome side of family life in the natural world, getting stuck into a spot of cannibalism and asking: “When exactly should you eat your rela…
S5.10 Squid Game: the strange science of cephalopods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
We're exploring the genetic secrets of squid. Dr Sally Le Page chats with Dr Sarah McAnulty to find out what has made squid so difficult to genetically manipulate and how they do unusual things with their RNA. We then si…
S5.09 Nature, Nurture and 'The Wobble' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
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 chang…
S5.08 Have a heart: the science of xenotransplantation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:41
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 ch…
S5.07 Face to face: The viruses that made us human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:47
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…
S5.06 Introducing exosomes: exciting ideas for biological mailbags [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
We’re unpacking the science behind exosomes: one of the hottest new areas of research for both diagnosing and treating diseases.Full show notes, transcript, music credits and references online at GeneticsUnzipped.com Fol…
S5.05 Sex and the Single Cell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:05
In this week’s episode of the Genetics Unzipped podcast, we’re exploring groundbreaking discoveries about the secret sex lives of cancer cells, and what it means for our understanding of tumour growth, evolution and trea…
S5.04 Genetics of the Americas: from migration to the modern day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
In this week’s episode of the Genetics Unzipped podcast, we’re looking at a genetic history of the Americas. Professor Jennifer Raff discusses her new book, Origins: A Genetic History of the Americas, telling the story o…