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The cost of cognition: The blessing and curse of human brain complexity
By Shane Huntington
Neuroscientist Prof Seth Grant explains how genetics gave rise to the modern human brain, and how the very complexity that characterises our brains makes them vulnerable to neurological diseases that reveal themselves in mental illness.
SHANE HUNTINGTON
Molecular gaze: How discoveries in the life sciences are changing our identities and politics
By Lynne Haultain
Prof. Nikolas Rose explores how scientific developments have changed conceptions of human identity and governance, and what this means for our political, socio-economic and legal futures.
LYNNE HAULTAIN
Natural value: Pricing ecosystems, and its implications for conservation policy
Conservation ecologist Assoc. Prof. Brendan Wintle considers the difficult questions and dilemmas that arise in decisions around species and ecosystem conservation, and whether a monetary value can or should be applied to nature.
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Ribosomes: Unlocking the secrets to your cellular protein factories
By Dyani Lewis
Nobel laureate Prof Ada Yonath discusses her work on understanding ribosomes – the protein factories that are found in every cell of every living organism.
Altered expression: Epigenetics and its influence on human development
By Dyani Lewis
Geneticist Dr Marnie Blewitt explains how epigenetics makes us more than just our genes and how gene inactivation can be crucial to our development.
DYANI LEWIS
Screening along the spectrum: The search for a genetic test for autism
By Shane Huntington
Neuropsychiatrist Prof Chris Pantelis and neural engineering researcher Prof Stan Skafidas discuss the potential for the use of genetics to improve the diagnosis of autism.
SHANE HUNTINGTON
Compound benefits: Creating new materials to aid cleaner energy generation
By Shane Huntington
Materials scientist Prof David Sholl explains how new hi-tech metal hydrides and metal-organic frameworks can be used to increase the efficiency of nuclear power stations and to capture carbon dioxide emissions in coal-fired power plants.
SHANE HUNTINGTON
Beyond the tremors: Understanding the impact of Parkinson’s disease
By Shane Huntington
Neuroscientist and neurologist Prof Malcolm Horne discusses Parkinson’s disease, and examines new technological developments and the prospects they offer for early diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
SHANE HUNTINGTON
Viral diary: The global rise and near demise of polio
By Dyani Lewis
Virologist Prof Vincent Racaniello discusses how poliovirus causes paralysis, and how close we are to eradicating the disease.
DYANI LEWIS
Organs on a chip: How 3D models of living tissue are changing biomedical research
By Dyani Lewis
Bioengineer Prof Donald Ingber discusses how three-dimensional models of living human organs can advance our understanding of human physiology in ways that animal models can’t.
DYANI LEWIS
