Mink, Ivory, & a Disease Discovered Backwards

Loading player...

It's a regular Noah's Ark: from the coronavirus strains that have been spreading through minks, to a new DNA test that can track poached elephant ivory, to the genetics of a very useful - and very inbred - cat. Plus: scientists have discovered a brand new genetic disease, via an unlikely approach and an even unlikelier coincidence... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

13 Nov 2020 English United Kingdom Science

Other recent episodes

Debunking 'junk' DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: What new DNA techniques are revealing about human sacrifices in Mayan culture; we debunk the 'junk', in junk DNA; and, the upside down sea snail that makes rafts of its own snot... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

8 Dec 32 min

Will It Sequence? Synthetic DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: How much of your personality is down to your DNA; we also look at synthetic DNA, and why we'd want to make it; plus, the spiders that turn one species of insect against its own kind... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting…

8 Oct 24 min

Will It Sequence? 700-year-old DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: A mammoth discovery in ancient DNA structure; on the subject of ancient DNA, what can we sequence for a centuries old body? And, in quirks of evolution, the animal that drinks its own offspring's blood... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the…

22 Aug 21 min

Will It Sequence: How effective is handwashing?

In this episode of Naked Genetics: The risk factors between schizophrenia and substance use disorder have had a fresh genetic examination; I put Illumina to the test and ask, 'what difference does washing our hands really make?' And, the the extraordinary way in which dung beetles use the night sky…

15 Jul 19 min

Will It Sequence? What grows on your food?

In this episode of Naked Genetics: What the latest genetics research has to say about restless leg syndrome; I put Illumina to the test and ask, 'what really grows on our food?'; And, what makes a tardigrade so tough? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

6 Jun 25 min

All episodes