KYTOS Biology

In this podcast, I describe the various techniques employed, including mass spectrometry to confirm aspirin toxicity. Toxicology is the study of poisons and the detection of foreign substances in the body that can have a toxic effect such as illicit and legal drugs, industrial chemicals and poisonous gases. Forensic toxicology is the use of toxicology and disciplines such as analytical chemistry,...

Every person’s handwriting is unique and personalised. It is difficult to disguise or forge, but analysis can provide a useful tool in forensics in excluding persons when determining a match between known material. In this podcast, I outline the characteristics that experts look for in a handwritten sample, with reference to evidence seized in a number of high profile cases, including the 'Lipstic...

Tool marks refer to cuts, gouges or abrasions caused by tools or other such instruments. They can leave striations on softer surfaces that match marks on the surface of the tool, and in this podcast, I will discuss the forensic significance that such marks may have. 

The brain receives huge amounts of information from outside our body via our sense organs, and it has to integrate all of this information, and direct parts of our body to respond, and take action. It does so via nervous impulses, and the generation of action potentials. What exactly are these impulses - and what does a Mexican wave have to do with things?!

The Medical journal 'The Lancet' called Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) "the most important medical advance of the 20th Century". This simple, low-tech, low-cost treatment is able to prevent death stemming from diarrhoeal diseases. Incredibly, they account for 1 in 9 child deaths worldwide, making diarrhoea the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 5.

What makes something, or more specifically someone, evil? Is it down to nature, or nurture - can some humans really be born with evil intent? In this podcast, I'm joined by Year 10 Biologist Charlotte S who will give her take on this widely debated subject. 

'Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake - its everything except what it is' - the real question we need to ask ourselves, is whether love can happen at first sight. According to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, love can indeed be instantaneous. Felica Isaacs explores this concept, to see if it has any biological basis. 

'Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock' - This is the second instalment in the series looking at 'The Science of Shakespeare', and rather fittingly, was recorded during the week of his birthday. English teacher Felicia Isaacs considers whether the jealousy displayed by Othello was predetermined - could, as the title suggest, it have already been hardwired i...

'Macbeth does murder sleep' - is this the reason why Shakespeare's character has delusions and paranoid thoughts? In this podcast, I'm joined by English teacher Felicia Isaacs, who gives her perspective on whether Macbeth's paranoia can be attributed to his insomnia. This is the first instalment in a series of podcasts on 'The Science of Shakespeare'. 

Karyotyping is a laboratory procedure that allows your doctor to examine your set of chromosomes.  The karyotype of a living organism refers to the number and appearance of the chromosomes, and allows for both the determination of sex and identification of abnormalities and structural problems.

In this podcast, I discuss the cohesive, thermal and solvent properties of one of the most crucial biological molecules there is - water. By understanding the polarity of the molecule and the nature of hydrogen bonding, one can appreciate why this really is 'the molecule of life'.

The Pernkopf Topographic Anatomy of Man, an anatomy reference book published in 1937 by a Nazi doctor, continues to be the most widely used anatomy book by surgeons. Its' gruesome history, however, has forced people to question the ethics of using such a resource. Can something so tainted ever be viewed in a positive light? (With thanks to English teacher Felicia Isaacs for conducting the research...

If you're a fan of true crime stories or detective novels, you might think that gunshot residue, or a carelessly left fingerprint on a surface would be the keys to solving a big mystery. In reality, when combined with DNA analysis, it's Forensic Serology, and the detection of body fluids that often provides the indisputable piece of evidence that places a suspect at the scene of a crime - and ulti...

Despite the several thousand cosmetic surgery operations performed each year in the UK, research carried out by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons suggested that 65% of former patients regretted going under the knife. In addition, only 28% admitted to being completely happy with the results, with complications and unexplained side effects among the most common...

Biology is cited on the HESA website (the central source for statistics about UK higher education) as one of the most valuable courses to study at university. The aim of this podcast is to introduce just some of the fascinating career paths that a biology-related degree might lead to - whether you are studying for GCSE's or A-Levels/IB, or even if you're already enrolled in a higher education inst...

In this podcast, I describe the nature of several general defects of the eyes, including Myopia and Hypermetropia, Astigmatism, Presbyopia, Strabismus or Misaligned eyes and Amblyopia (lazy eye). I also describe numerous external conditions that affect the eyes, namely Blepharitis, Hordeolum (stye), Preseptal and Orbital Cellulitis and Conjunctivitis, along with internal conditions such as Retinal...

I'm thrilled once again to be joined by Year 13 Biology student Yasmin, who, in a very similar vein to the podcast about The Lion King, takes a fascinating look at one of her favourite Pixar films, Finding Nemo - just how accurate is the depiction of life in the big blue ocean?

In this thought-provoking podcast, Year 11 biologist Roz P explores the notion that modern society is responsible for the development of eating disorders in LGBT youth.

In this podcast, I’ll discuss the two main surgical methods of treatment for CHD; angioplasty and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). The term ‘angioplasty’ refers to the use of a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. Most modern angioplasty procedures involve the use of a stent, a small, metal mesh-like device that acts as a support or scaffold, in keeping the vessel open. CAB...

The unique blend of Astronomy and Biology can provide an insight into how life may have started here on Earth. That knowledge would be crucial in our ongoing hunt for extraterrestrial life. In this podcast, Year 13 Biology student Yasmin O discusses the likelihood of life on other planets by comparing their environment to that of our own.

In this podcast, Year 13 Biology student Yasmin 0 explores the connections between Quantum Physics and Biology. One might not immediately appreciate the overlap between these two fields, but life would have struggled to come into existence without the mystery that is quantum mechanics.

It is estimated that there are between 12,500 and 15,000 people with Sickle Cell Disease in the UK. In this podcast, I will describe the autosomal recessive mutation that lies at the heart of the condition, the signs and symptoms that suffers experience, and the current and future treatments that are available.

The MMI, or Multiple Mini Interview is a relatively new way in which universities select entrants on to their medical and dentistry courses. In this podcast, I talk through the full MMI process, what exactly is involved in the various stations one might encounter, and what prospective applicants should be doing right now to boost their chances of success. 

If we know that blood is red, why do textbooks still perpetuate the idea that deoxygenated blood is blue? When one looks down at their wrists, we see ‘blue veins’, but why? I decided to conduct my own study into misconceptions about Blood and its’ circulation a number of years ago with a Key Stage 3 cohort, and in this podcast, I'll be sharing my findings. 

When giving an intramuscular injection into the Deltoid muscle, it is important to understand how the Axillary nerve and its’ branches are anatomically arranged. This will ensure that shoulder function is maintained. This more technical podcast is specifically designed for undergraduate students and those already working as medical professionals.