Shows
BioPODSigns of life: detecting biosignals from fossilIn today’s episode, Nitara chats with Dr. Corentin Loron about how to interpret signature of life, and what they might tell us about the first life forms. Please respond to our survey so we can find out more about you and what you want to listen to! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqoV4JoROJCfcMtvk4-Wer0uJGpvQfzUj3M4Mz8vx_9ScjKA/viewform?usp=header2025-07-1822 min
BioPODCell clocks: the circadian rhythm of the cellsFrom jet lag to gene expression, your body runs on a schedule — but how? In this episode, Nitara chats with Dr. Priya Crosby about how individual cells keep time, what happens when those clocks fall out of sync, and why understanding circadian rhythms is key to decoding health and disease.Interview and editing by Nitara, art and production by Evangelia 2025-06-1831 min
BioPODFossil detective: piecing together the neurobiology of fossil mammalsIn today’s episode, Nitara chats with Dr. Ornella Bertrand about the evolution of the mammalian brain and inner ear, and how fossil evidence helps piece together this deep evolutionary history. Please respond to our survey so we can find out more about you and what you want to listen to! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqoV4JoROJCfcMtvk4-Wer0uJGpvQfzUj3M4Mz8vx_9ScjKA/viewform?usp=header2025-05-2733 min
BioPODScience and Policy with Prof. Andrew MillarEver wondered about the intersection of policy and science? Tune in as Markella chats with Professor Andrew Millar about his career and work as the Chief Scientific Advisor on the environment, natural resources, and agriculture for the Scottish Government. Interview and editing by Markella, art by Keiran, and production by Manushri. 2025-04-2938 min
BioPODBecoming your own scientistEver wondered what it’s really like to become an independent researcher—calling the shots on what to study and navigating the highs and lows of doing science on your own terms? In this episode, Matthew Swaffer chats with Liz about starting his own lab, diving into all things cell-size related, and what the transition to leading your own research really feels like.Please fill out our survey so we can hear from you about where to take BioPOD in the future! SURVEY LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqoV4JoROJCfcMtvk4-Wer0uJGpvQfzUj3M4Mz8vx_9...2025-03-2751 min
BioPODEntrepreneurship Series: ConceptionX, UK’s leading PhD deep-tech venture programmeIn this episode of Biopod's entrepreneurship series, Keshav and Nitara sit down with Dr. Riam Kanso to discuss the journey behind ConceptionX, a deep-tech venture programme to help PhD students fund their entrepreneurial pursuits. Please respond to our survey so we can find out more about you and what you want to listen to! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqoV4JoROJCfcMtvk4-Wer0uJGpvQfzUj3M4Mz8vx_9ScjKA/viewform?usp=header2025-02-2127 min
BioPODConservation genetics with Dr Alex BallEvery person interested in biology knows that population diversity is important for ecosystems. But do we understand what diversity means? In this episode Markella interviews Dr. Alex Ball from The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland about his work on conservation genetics, which is one of the pillars of conservation biology. He goes in depth about different species conservation in Scotland and elswhere around the world. Interview by Markella. Editing by Manushri and Markella. Artwork by Anna. Produced by Severina 2025-01-2236 min
BioPODUnstable fungal resistanceIn a world where the human population is predicted to reach 10 billion by 2050, we urgently need to find ways to increase crop production. However, it is made more difficult by some species of crop-pathogenic fungi, which can decimate crop yields, and also develop mutations that make them resistant to antifungal compounds. Dr Robin Allshire's group is trying to understand a not-so-well-known form of this resistance which could help farmers and governments tackle the current global food production challenge.Recorded & produced by Anna Motýľová.Edited by Haomiao Cheng.Cover art by Manushri.Follow us...2024-11-3051 min
BioPODCombining Art & Science: How and WhyVideo version: https://youtu.be/weaFSVsvyBY Anna Motýľová talks with Dr Keira Tucker, manager of ASCUS Art & Science, the first open access lab space in Scotland. They host science workshops for the general public and art exhibitions inspired by science. You will learn about Keira's personal journey as an artist/scientist, as well as 3 weird and wonderful creative projects she has facilitated between artists and scientists from the University of Edinburgh.By the end of this episode, you will have thought about things you never have before. What happens to cancerous organs once they lea...2024-10-2959 min
BioPODEntrepreneurship series: E.V.A Biosystems ft. Dr. Alex SpeakmanIn this episode of BioPod’s entrepreneurship series, Keshav talks with Dr. Alex Speakman about his entrepreneurial journey of starting E.V.A Biosystems. Alex talks about the help and resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful startups. He also provides helpful information on navigating through the various stages of a startup including ideation, validation and patenting. Interviewed by Keshav, edited by Evangelia, art by Amandine and produced by Keshav. 2024-09-2426 min
BioPODAging sheep: long-term population studies in St KildaAging, or senescence has been a topic of scientific fascination for a long time. Natural populations like the Soay Sheep in St Kilda, a remote scottish island, are ideal to study aging theories in the wild.In this summer episode, Professor Dan Nussey speaks to us about the long running Soay Sheep project and the insights they provide on the study of senescence. Interview by Markella Moraitou. Edited by Flora Caldwell, Art by Severina Marija Pociunaite, Produced by Nitara Wijayatilake. 2024-07-0352 min
BioPODAMR through time with Katerina GuschanskiWe have all heard about the importance of the gut microbiome. But how much do you know about the oral microbiome in our mouths? In the second interview with Dr Katerina Guschanski, Alastair Scott finds out all about how you can use the oral microbiome to study how antimicrobial resistance evolved through time. Dr Katerina Guschanski and her team extract ancient DNA from calcified dental calculus, to study their bacterial composition from before the existence of mass-produced antibiotics.Art by Amandine Hong-Minh, editing by Elena Hartmann, produced by Liz Gaberdiel. 2024-06-1843 min
BioPODPrimate Evolution with Dr Katerina GuschanskiIn this first episode of a two-parter with Dr Katerina Guschanski, Neelakshi Varma finds out about the intricacies and quirks of primate evolution, specifically around guenon monkeys. We also learn about how Katerina accidentally found her way to working with primates, the difficulties and exciting aspects of field work in Madagascar and why you can’t really define a species. Edited by Frankie Swift, artwork by Liz Gaberdiel, produced by Liz Gaberdiel.Check out some more research by the Guschanski lab here: https://www.ieg.uu.se/animal-ecology/Research+groups/guschanski-lab2024-05-0853 min
BioPODThe world of editingIn this episode of BioPod's publishing series, Severina and Dr Seema Grewal discuss the world of editing for scientific journals. Seema is the Executive Editor for the Journal of Cell Science, and talks through her journey entering publishing, advice for PhD students wanting to enter the industry, and gives helpful tips for those wanting to publish their own papers. 2024-03-1445 min