Best Genomic Security Podcasts (2025)

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Three weeks in a hide to spot one elusive bear: the life of a wildlife film-maker 12:47

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4d ago12:47

12:47

Vianet Djenguet is an award-winning wildlife film-maker and camera operator whose work has featured in a number of major nature documentaries. In this podcast, Vianet joins us to talk about his career, how wildlife film-making have changed, and his experiences working with local researchers to capture footage of endangered animals on the new televi…

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Ancient DNA reveals farming led to more human diseases 37:06

6d ago37:06

37:06

00:48 The past 35,000 years of disease Ancient DNA evidence shows that the advent of agriculture led to more infectious disease among humans, with pathogens from animals only showing up 6,500 years ago. The DNA, extracted from human teeth, shows the history of diseases present in Eurasia over tens of thousands of years. The approach used could be a…

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Genomic Repeat: The Devil’s In the Details - The Importance of Biodiversity 40:13

8d ago40:13

40:13

The Importance of Biodiversity Description: This episode was originally released on October 31, 2022 Conservation is often about protecting the species that still wander around our Earth. But what about those that once did but have gone extinct? In this Halloween-inspired episode, we take a look into how one spooky idea has gone from science fictio…

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Audio long read: How to speak to a vaccine sceptic — research reveals what works 16:13

11d ago16:13

16:13

Questions and doubts about vaccines are on the rise worldwide and public-health specialists worry that these trends could worsen. But while the shift in public attitudes towards immunizations can leave scientists, physicians and many others feeling disheartened, a surge of research on vaccine hesitancy is starting to offer ways to address the issue…

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3D-printed fake wasps help explain bad animal mimicry 27:19

13d ago27:19

27:19

In this episode: 00:45 Why animals evolve to be imperfect mimics Many harmless animals mimic dangerous ones to avoid being eaten, but often this fakery is inaccurate. To help explain why evolution sometimes favours imperfect mimicry, a team 3D printed a range of imaginary insects. The novel creatures were designed to mimic wasps with varying degree…

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Is AI watching you? The hidden links between research and surveillance 31:30

20d ago31:30

31:30

We’d like to learn more about our listeners, please help us out by filling in this short survey. In this episode: 00:45 Is AI-research being co-opted to keep track of people? A significant amount of research in the AI field of computer vision is being used to analyse humans in ways that support the development of surveillance technologies, accordin…

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Creativity, technology, and AI 56:09

27d ago56:09

56:09

We explore how digital technology is reshaping the creative industries in Estonia, from live AI-generated theatre to immersive VR dance and the future of digital fashion. Mart-Matteus Kampus shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of co-creating a stage production with ChatGPT. Choreographer Liis Vares and interdisciplinary artist Taavet Jansen int…

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Flight simulator for moths reveals they navigate by starlight 30:37

27d ago30:37

30:37

We’d like to learn more about our listeners, please help us out by filling in this short survey. In this episode: 00:45 The tiny moths that use the stars to navigate Bogong moths use the stars to help them navigate during their enormous migration across Australia, according to new research. Every year, billions of these nocturnal moths travel up to…

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14: GP+ Academic with Dr Tom Purchase 27:53

30d ago27:53

27:53

In this episode, Sophie speaks with Dr Tom Purchase, a First5 GP and a Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellow at Cardiff University. Tom describes his career journey into his doctoral fellowship, where to look and how to secure some funding opportunities, and the benefits of the role. Top tips Be Curious and ask questions - Tom’s journ…

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Hundreds of physicists on a remote island: we visit the ultimate quantum party 9:07

1M ago9:07

9:07

According to legend, physicist Werner Heisenberg formulated the mathematics behind quantum mechanics in 1925 while on a restorative trip to the remote North Sea island of Heligoland. To celebrate the centenary of this event, several hundred researchers have descended on the island to take part in a conference on all things quantum physics. Nature r…

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This stretchy neural implant grows with an axolotl's brain 36:55

1M ago36:55

36:55

00:45 A flexible neural-implant that grows with the brain Researchers have developed a soft electronic implant that can measure brain activity of amphibian embryos as they develop. Understanding the neural activity of developing brains is a key aim for neuroscientists, but conventional, rigid probes can damage growing brains. To overcome this, a te…

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Trump wants to put humans on Mars: what scientists think of the plan 11:47

1M ago11:47

11:47

In this Podcast Extra, we examine President Donald Trump's calls for NASA to land humans on Mars. Although the White House has proposed spending some US$1 billion in 2026 on Mars plans, critics say the final cost will likely be hundreds of billions of dollars spread over a number of years. This call comes amidst plans to drastically reduce NASA's f…

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Male mice can grow female organs — if their mothers lack iron 30:08

1M ago30:08

30:08

00:45 Iron’s role in mice sex determination Iron deficiency in mice mothers can sometimes result in their offspring developing female sex organs despite having male sex genes, according to new research. While genetics has been thought to be the primary factor in determining offspring sex in mammals, the new work shows that a lack of iron disrupts a…

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Mutton, the Woolly Dog: How one dog's DNA is stitching together history 5:42

1M ago5:42

5:42

Mutton was one of the last of the Salish Woolly Dogs– a breed raised by Indigenous Coast Salish communities before colonization led to its disappearance. Sarah Lando and Dr. Kaylee Byers delve into how genome sequencing is helping uncover the Woolly Dog’s legacy—and could even lead to its revival. Resources: 1. The history of Coast Salish “woolly d…

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13: GP+Humanitarian Health with Dr Hareen De Silva 33:14

2M ago33:14

33:14

In this episode, Sophie is joined by Dr Hareen De Silva who has a special interest in Humanitarian and Global Health. Hareen describes how he got into the field, how you can find out if it is the right role for you physically, emotionally and morally and the benefits and downsides of the role. Top tips: 1.Gain Relevant Clinical Experience & Skills …

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Audio long read: Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky 15:59

2M ago15:59

15:59

With the world looking likely to blow past the temperature targets laid out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement, a growing number of voices are saying that carbon removal technologies will be necessary if humanity is to achieve its long-term climate goals. If these approaches succeed, they could help nations and corporations to meet their climate c…

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AI linked to boom in biomedical papers, infrared contact lenses, and is Earth's core leaking? 20:11

2M ago20:11

20:11

00:33 Was a boom in papers driven by AI? A spike in papers formulaically analysing a public data set has sparked worries that AI is being used to generate low quality and potentially misleading analyses. Nature: AI linked to explosion of low-quality biomedical research papers 08:07 Lenses that give humans infrared vision Researchers in China have c…

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12: GP+ Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Callum Leese 29:20

2M ago29:20

29:20

This month, Sophie interviews Dr Callum Leese, a First5 GP based in Aberfeldy, Scotland with an extended role in Lifestyle Medicine. Callum shares his journey into the field and signposts to a number of helpful resources if you are interested in finding out more in this area. If you think Lifestyle Medicine could be the right fit for you, here are …

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These malaria drugs treat the mosquitos — not the people 31:40

2M ago31:40

31:40

00:45 Treating mosquitoes for malaria Researchers have developed two compounds that can kill malaria-causing parasites within mosquitoes, an approach they hope could help reduce transmission of the disease. The team showed that these compounds can be embedded into the plastics used to make bed nets, providing an alternative to insecticide-based mal…

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Education, innovation, and the AI Leap 51:44

2M ago51:44

51:44

We explore Estonia’s bold leap into AI-powered education with insights from Gert Jervan, Dean of the School of Information Technologies at TalTech. Gert shares how Estonia is preparing to teach artificial intelligence in high schools and why the country’s new AI-focused bachelor’s program is critical for shaping future innovators. We also hear from…

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How to transport antimatter — stick it on the back of a van 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

00:46 An antimatter delivery van takes its first road trip Researchers have developed a portable antimatter containment device and tested it by putting it in a truck and driving it around CERN. Their system could represent a big step forward in efforts to take particles made at CERN’s ‘antimatter factory’ and transport them to other labs, something…

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NSF terminates huge number of grants and stops awarding new ones 11:15

2M ago11:15

11:15

In this Podcast Extra, we examine recent developments US National Science Foundation, which has seen significant numbers of research grants terminated. In addition, there have been freezes on funding for new grants and any additional money to existing ones. We also discuss US President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which call…

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Herring population loses migration 'memory' after heavy fishing 37:34

2M ago37:34

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00:46 How fishing activity altered the migration pattern of Herring Selective fishing of older herring has resulted in a large shift in the migration pattern of these fish, according to new research. For years, herring have visited sites on the south coast of Norway to spawn, but in 2020 a rapid shift was seen, with the fish instead visiting areas …

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Genomic Repeat: Bananageddon - Challenging assumptions around food security 33:31

2M ago33:31

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This episode was originally released on September 19, 2023 Is the world running out of bananas? Well, no. Not…yet — but nature is flashing a big, yellow, squishy "caution" sign. In this episode, Dr. Kaylee Byers peels away our assumptions about food security by looking at bananas. Venturing Down Under, we connect with Dr. James Dale from Queensland…

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The dismantling of US science: can it survive Trump 2.0? 27:52

3M ago27:52

27:52

In this episode: 00:46 What will be left of US science after Trump 2.0? 100 days into his term, President Donald Trump and his administration have already caused the biggest shakeup in modern scientific history, slashing funding, bringing large swathes of US research to a standstill and halting many clinical trials. But many fear these actions are …

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Audio long read: Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health? 17:33

3M ago17:33

17:33

Research shows that, over the past two decades, rates of mental illness have been increasing in adolescents in many countries. While some scientists point to soaring use of smartphones and social media as a key driver for this trend, others say the evidence does not show a large effect of these technologies on teenagers’ psychological health. At th…

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A brand-new colour created by lasers, a pig-liver transplant trial gets the green light, and a nugget-sized chunk of lab-grown meat 20:27

3M ago20:27

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00:27 Five people see ‘olo’, a brand-new colour Using a laser system to activate specific eye cells, a team has allowed five study participants to perceive a vibrant blue-greenish hue well outside the natural range of colours seen by humans. Although the setup required to accomplish this feat is currently complicated, this finding could provide mor…

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AI, e-governance, and the future of digital transformation 1:00:05

3M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

We dive into Estonia's e-governance journey with insights from Joel Burke, AI policy expert and author of Rebooting A Nation. Joel shares his experience of Estonia's rise as a global leader in digital governance, highlighting the cultural mindset and political courage that helped shape the nation's innovative e-government systems. We also explore h…

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‘Dark matter’, 'Big Bang' and ‘spin’: how physics terms can confuse researchers 33:11

3M ago33:11

33:11

Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky. But names have consequences. What’s in a name is a series exploring naming in science and how names impact the world. We look at whether the system of naming species remains …

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11: GP+ Training Programme Director with Dr Irene Afreh-Mensah 15:31

3M ago15:31

15:31

In this month's episode we hear from Dr Irene Afreh-Mensah, a First5 GP whose work week is a variety of clinical work as a salaried GP, TPD and one day of Undergraduate teaching at the local University. Irene shares her experience in medical education to date, skills and qualities needed to be a TPD and advice for those hoping to follow a similar c…

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What a trove of potato genomes reveals about the humble spud 32:41

3M ago32:41

32:41

In this episode: 00:46 A potato pangenome Researchers have created a ‘pangenome’ containing the genomes of multiple potato types, something they believe can help make it easier to breed and sequence new varieties. The potato's complicated genetics has made it difficult to sequence the plant's genome, but improvements in technology have allowed the …

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Long-awaited ape genomes give new insights into their evolution — and ours 29:48

3M ago29:48

29:48

00:46 Complete sequencing of ape genomes Researchers have sequenced the complete genomes of six ape species, helping uncover the evolutionary history of our closest relatives and offering insights into what makes humans human. The genomes of chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran orangutan and siamang have been sequenced end-to-en…

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From Hippocrates to COVID-19: the scientific fight to prove diseases can be airborne 32:27

3M ago32:27

32:27

Science writer and New York Times columnist Carl Zimmer's latest book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life we Breathe dives into the invisible maelstrom of microbial life swirling in the air around us — examining how it helped shape our world, and the implications that breathing it in can have on human health. Carl joined us to discuss histori…

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Trump team removes senior NIH chiefs in shock move 11:32

3M ago11:32

11:32

In this Podcast Extra, we hear the latest on how decisions by the Trump administration are affecting science in the US. Most recently, a purge of National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership has seen the chiefs of multiple institutes and centres removed from their posts. Plus, after cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, …

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World’s tiniest pacemaker could revolutionize heart surgery 37:41

3M ago37:41

37:41

00:46 Millimetre-sized pacemaker fits inside syringe Researchers have developed a tiny, temporary pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed, helping to overcome some of the challenges associated with current devices. Temporary pacemakers are often required after heart surgery but implanting them can require invasive procedures. This new device…

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The Vitamin Verdict: How multivitamins affect your health 7:55

4M ago7:55

7:55

The food supplement industry rakes in billions of dollars every year. So with so much money being spent on things like vitamins, they must be worth it, right? Right?! Dr. Kaylee Byers and Sarah Lando give you the down low on what’s good for you– and what’s just good for business. Resources: 1. Is There Really Any Benefit to Multivitamins? – Hopkins…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with guest Professor Nir Barzilai 43:36

4M ago43:36

43:36

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we explore the cutting-edge science of longevity with Dr. Nir Barzilai, a pioneering researcher in the genetics of human aging. As President of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research and Director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Barzilai has transformed…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with guest Dr. Brian Kennedy 35:11

4M ago35:11

35:11

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we dive into the transformative fields of Longevity science with Dr. Brian Kennedy, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Director of the Centre for Healthy Longevity, leading translational research to delay aging and extend healthspan. In…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with guest Dominik Thor 38:53

4M ago38:53

38:53

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we dive into the educational side of Longevity science with Dominik Thor. Dominik is the President of the Geneva College of Longevity Science and co-founder of Tomorrowlabs, a biotechnology company pioneering cellular regeneration technologies. He bridges academia and industry to advance healthy aging sol…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with guest Ali Hashemi 41:55

4M ago41:55

41:55

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we dive into the world of healthcare innovation with Ali Hashemi, a visionary serial entrepreneur and CEO of meta[bolic], a hybrid healthcare platform revolutionizing metabolic disease management. In this episode, explore how AI, wearables, and behavior-driven clinical care can be harnessed to transform l…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with hosts Dr. Vinod Gauba and Alex Kummerman 0:16

4M ago0:16

0:16

Join us on our talks with leading experts in the field of Longevity and Healthspan science to learn about the future of healthcare from the people leading the way there. Discover groundbreaking insights into the science of aging, advanced technologies for life extension, and strategies to optimize your healthspan. In Decoded: The Future of Health, …

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Audio long read: How quickly are you ageing? What molecular ‘clocks’ can tell you about your health 17:56

4M ago17:56

17:56

With money pouring in and an unprecedented level of public attention and excitement, scientists are publishing a steady stream of papers on ways to measure how rapidly a person’s body is declining. However, there are mixed feelings of enthusiasm and apprehension among researchers about efforts to develop tests that measure the impact of ageing on t…

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New lasso-shaped antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria 32:45

4M ago32:45

32:45

In this episode: 00:46 Newly discovered molecule shows potent antibiotic activity Researchers have identified a new molecule with antibiotic activity against a range of disease-causing bacteria, including those resistant to existing drugs. The new molecule — isolated from soil samples taken from a laboratory technician’s garden — is called lariocid…

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Decoded: The Future of Health with guest Dr. Nicole Sirotin 40:54

4M ago40:54

40:54

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we dive into the transformative fields of Longevity science with Dr. Nicole Sirotin, an award-winning physician and global pioneer in chronic disease prevention and reversal. As CEO of the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi and former Chair of Preventive Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. S…

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Decoded, the future of health with guest Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi 21:29

4M ago21:29

21:29

In this episode of Decoded: The Future of Health, Dr. Gauba and Alex sit down with Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Science Park and Head of Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Academic City. A visionary trailblazer in biotechnology and a key architect of Dubai’s industrial strategy for pharmaceuticals and healthcare, Marwan has b…

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Decoded, the future of health with guest Shaikha Almazrouei 24:54

4M ago24:54

24:54

In this episode of Decoded: The Future of Health, Dr Gauba and Alex sit down with the venerable Shaikha Almazrouei, a leading stem cell and genomic researcher and Head of the UAE Stem Cell society. She was also instrumental in the Emirati Genome Project spearheading advancements in regenerative medicine and genomics. We discuss the incredible impac…

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Decoded, the future of health, with Guest Phil Newman 39:21

4M ago39:21

39:21

Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health as we dive into the transformative fields of Longevity science with a pioneer in the longevity industry, Phil Newman. Phil is the Editor-in-Chief of Longevity.Technology and CEO of First Longevity, a platform bridging innovators and investors to commercialize longevity-focused startups with over 25 years of …

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Tiny satellite sets new record for secure quantum communication 31:05

4M ago31:05

31:05

00:46 Microsatellite makes messaging secure A tiny satellite has enabled quantum-encrypted information to be sent between China and South Africa, the farthest distance yet achieved for quantum communication. Using a laser-based system, a team in the city of Hefei was able to beam a ‘secret key’ encoded in quantum states of photons, to their colleag…

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The cyber security challenge: protecting nations and industries 54:05

4M ago54:05

54:05

This time, we explore the critical role of cyber security in an increasingly digital world. Our hosts, Johanna-Kadri Kuusk and Petra Holm, talk with two experts to explore the challenges and solutions associated with combining digital transformation and security. In this episode: Nick Washer, the Global Head of Defence of Nortal, discussed: The rol…

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10: GP+ Migrant Health with Dr Sarah Clark 12:36

4M ago12:36

12:36

This month we hear from Dr Sarah Clark who works one day a week as a clinical assessor for Medical Justice. Medical Justice are a charity who work to support the health and legal rights for people who are held in immigration detention. Sarah outlines how she got into the role and what it involves and where you can find out more information. Top tip…