Episodes

Lecture 1 - Where Do I Come From?

How does each of your cells ‘know’ exactly what to do?

Lecture 2 - Am I A Mutant?

As we understand more about mutations it could help us devise new treatments for genetic conditions?

Lecture 3 - Could I Live Forever?

Developmental biology and genetics give us new insights into how cells work and how we can use this knowledge to improve or even extend our lives

Lecture 2 - Am I A Mutant?

Yes. But so am I. And so is the mouse that we share 99% of our genes with. As our DNA replicates, mutations arise. Sometimes they can be catastrophic, but sometimes they confer a huge advantage. Falcons have eyes that allow them to see for miles, but ants are virtually blind. How come? How are developmental processes altered over evolutionary time to produce novel structures and, ultimately, new species? The history of life revolves around survival of the fittest ‘mutant’. As we understand more about mutations it could help us devise new treatments for genetic conditions. But are we prepared to genetically engineer humans?

Credits