KYTOS Biology

On the face of it, you can look at this movie as a coming of age story, or perhaps one about family, redemption and even power struggles. If we take a slightly different approach, however, you might be surprised at just how many key biological concepts and principles are in this film. 

Do shows like CSI have a negative influence on peoples’ interpretation of the criminal justice system, and on forensic science practices? In this podcast, Mr I discusses what the latest research suggests is the case.

In this podcast, I delve into the story behind Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that scientists often hail as a wonder drug. Quite astonishingly, there are thought to be over 1000 clinical trials involving Aspirin conducted every single year - in 1950, it was declared the biggest selling painkiller in the world.

Why is it important to breed with members of the same species? Is there any benefit to forming a committed pair bond with your partner...and what exactly are birds saying to one another through their birdsong? Discover the answer to all of these questions in this podcast on courtship behaviours and 'flirting'.

A vaccine is the administration of a weak or dead pathogen, designed to stimulate a primary immune response. What exactly does that response entail, and why would anyone deliberately inject a pathogen into themselves? In this podcast, Mr I will answer these questions by explaining how vaccines work in controlling the spread of infectious disease.  

Thank you for listening to this special podcast on the UCAT (formerly known as UKCAT) and BMAT – these are the two big entrance exams that students must sit to get onto certain Medical, Dental, Veterinary and Biomedical undergraduate courses. In this podcast, I describe what both tests entail, but more importantly, give tips on what candidates should be doing to maximise their chances!

As the title suggests, this podcast is all about bones – why study them, what can they tell us about their owners, and how can that information be applied in a court of law. Forensic anthropology is a special sub-field of physical anthropology that involves applying skeletal analysis and techniques in archaeology to solving criminal cases.  

In this podcast, Mr I will discuss hair structure and morphology, and how forensic analysis of fibres can help bring about a conviction, or simply be used as a means of identification.   

In this thought-provoking, and perhaps controversial podcast, Mr I sits down with the Head of Psychology at Tormead, Mr Dan Wilkinson, to explore the arguments for a world without males. 

In this podcast, Year 13 Biology student Emma T discusses bioluminescence, a phenomenon in which organisms produce their own light. She will describe the mechanisms through which light is produced, and how this form of chemiluminescence aids the survival of different species.   

Studies have suggested that there are 3 key reasons why medical professionals struggle to deliver bad news. In this podcast, I discuss what those reasons are, and the significant impact they potentially have on clinical outcomes. 

The development of insulin for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus by Banting et al, is regarded by many as one of the greatest biological discoveries of our time. In this podcast, I’ll put forward the argument as to why, and give some background into the discovery. As Hume stated in his biography of Banting, ‘no single event in the history of medicine had changed the lives of so many people, so su...

The common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) has been the test subject from which some of the 20th century's greatest biological discoveries have arisen. In this podcast, I outline the reasons why this rather simple being is regarded as a ‘model organism’ for scientific research. 

In this podcast, I discuss how blood pattern analysis can aid forensic investigators make sense of a crime scene, and reveal why the technique is viewed by some professionals as controversial. 

In this personal study of psychopathology, I describe the nature of obsessive compulsive disorders. This podcast will outline the key characteristics of these conditions, and provide some biological explanations for them. 

In 1901, Sir Edward Henry provided the foundations on which modern day fingerprint classification systems are based.  In this podcast, I refer to a number of high profile criminal cases where fingerprint evidence has been used, and talk about the biology behind the fingerprint itself – what exactly causes the distinct ridges and grooves that we see?

The contributions that HeLa cells have made in the fields of Science and Technology are vast. In this podcast, I'm joined by Year 13 Biology student Anoushka D, who will argue that the HeLa cell is one of the greatest biological discoveries of the 20th Century. 

In this podcast, I outline the steps involved in genetically engineering Golden Rice as a means of preventing Vitamin A (retinol) deficiency. 

In this podcast, we look at the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. What is the exact mechanism behind this self destruction, and when   would the body employ such a tactic?

How useful is an offender profile in catching a perpetrator? In this podcast, we look at the field of Forensic Psychology, and discuss how criminal profiles have been used in a number of historic cases, along with other so-called 'disputed' forensic techniques. 

Leaving a career in Medicine wasn't a difficult decision for me to make - the thing is, I never really wanted to do it in the first place! In this podcast, I explain how I ended up down that path, and the reasons why I eventually opted for another. 

Working as a counsellor in the criminal justice system, Charlotte (Mrs I) has seen first-hand how addiction can transform lives. In this podcast, she will discuss the disease model of addiction, whilst Mr I will delve a little deeper into the mechanisms of action of some of the most potent psychoactive drugs. 

In this podcast, we takes a look at the current developments in kidney transplantation and discusses the key functions of these vital organs.  

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." Did Charles Darwin actually say this, and what exactly does his theory of natural selection mean for human evolution?

In this podcast, Mr I describes how cultural, chemical and biological pest control have all been used to increase yield and productivity. As a means of limiting the ecological damage that intensive farming causes, IMP (or integrated pest management) is now being employed.