BioPOD

In this episode, Débora interviews Dr Didier Devaurs, a researcher working at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland) on biomolecular AI and computational structural biology, exploring how algorithms and data can help uncover the secrets of life at the molecular level.

Ever wondered how scientists assess the quality of published research? Get your answers to that and more on our episode today. Join us as Debora chats to Dr. Daniela Schnitzler about Paperstars, an initiative that allows researchers to select better quality publications based on scientific metrics, and not necessarily publication-based metrics. Interview by Debora, editing by Niamh and Debora, production and art by Manushri.

In this episode, join Javi and Keiran as they dive into the world of AI experimental design and biotech startup life with Dr Stefan Bostock, Co-founder and CEO of Danu Insights.

In today's episode, Charli chats with Dr. John Reynolds-Wright about the state of sexual and reproductive healthcare, including progress on the development of novel male contraception and abortion care. Interview by Charli, editing by Niamh, and production by Emilee. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0F8Kp5RUQqOolcsDWhnYqj?si=0cb527ef0e8b45ed

Are regulations truly barriers to scientific innovation? To find out, join Markella as she interviews Prof. Joyce Tait, interdisciplinary researcher and cofounder of the Innogen Institute, on the role of regulators in research and development, the value of interdisciplinary approaches in policymaking, and the importance of good public engagement.

Everything really is tuberculosis all the way down; in this episode, Nitara interviews Prof. Jayne Hope, Chair of Immunology at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies, who goes over the challenges of tackling bovine TB, and her research in developing effective treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines.

In this episode, Manushri and Nitara interview Dr Ester Gaya, a researcher working at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on the Fungi genome project.

In this episode, Liz talks to Aleksandra Byrska, Gerard Pieper and Geraldine Hartsthorne, about their research on embryo development and IVF and learn more about the glass art exhibition which aims to help fertility patients. Read more about the Fertility Glass Art project here https://biology.ed.ac.uk/new-horizons-ivf-engagement/meet-artists

In this episode, Analia talks to Ben Glocker from CHAI (Causality in Healthcare AI) Hub, a network of scientists designing the next generation of healthcare Artificial Intelligence.

In today’s episode, Nitara chats with Dr. Corentin Loron about how to interpret signatures 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=header

From 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

In 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=header

Ever 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.

Ever 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_9ScjKA/viewform

In 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=header

Every 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. I nterview by Markella. Editing by Manushri and Markella. Artwork by Anna. Produced by Severina

In 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: X: @BioPodEdinburgh LinkedIn: BioPOD Podcast Instagram: @biopodedinburgh

Video 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 leave the body? Should noise in scientific data always be discarded? When medical practicioners don't hear the voices of suffering patients, can an artistic approach help? Interview recorded, edited and produced for BioPOD by Anna Motýľová. Camera by Ainslie Rönsdorf. Intro and outro recorded by Felix Selasi Dewornu. Episode cover art by Amandine Hong-Minh. Check out the featured artists: ASCUS Art & Science [www.ascus.org.uk] G-lands by Emily Fong [https://emilyfongstudio.squarespace.com/] Fluorescent images & video of salivary glands by Dr Elaine Emmerson and Dr Sara Knox, Centre for Regenerative Medicine [https://regenerative-medicine.ed.ac.uk/research/elaine-emmerson] Oculations by Victoria Evans [www.victoriaevans.space] Blackford Eye video by Dr Richard Essery [https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/persons/richard-essery/] Hemispherical Mosquito by Dr Cecile Menard [https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/persons/cecile-menard] Chapters: 01:26 What is ASCUS Art & Science? 03:46 Keira's background 05:14 ASCUS as a lab space 06:39 Keira's artistic journey 08:55 Keira's work in ASCUS 09:56 Project 1: The Egyptian god in salivary glands 11:27 Why salivary glands? 14:22 Why bring artists into scientific teams? 18:24 The artwork: From drawings to cabbages 29:29 The workshops: Scientist-artist-sufferer discussion 33:46 Project 2: Noise in snow science 39:04 Scientific vs. artistic research 40:30 Changing mindsets 41:59 Project 3: Surface echoes 47:05 The eczema experience(s) 49:04 Communicating science through performance 53:07 Training GPs through art 54:15 Future projects 56:11 Final lessons

In 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.

Aging, 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.