We’re fascinated by the microbiome — and for good reason. But how do we protect this invisible ecosystem that plays such a vital role in our health?

From engineering live, programmable therapeutics that disarm dangerous gut pathogens to creating a global “doomsday vault” to safeguard the diversity of human gut microbes, we dive deep into the cutting-edge science shaping the future of microbiome research.

Show notes

1. Ronda, C., Perdue, T., Schwanz, L. et al. Precise virulence inactivation using a CRISPR-associated transposase for combating Enterobacteriaceae gut pathogens. Nat. Biomed. Eng (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-025-01453-12.

2. Dominguez-Bello, M.G., Steiger, D., Fankhauser, M. et al. The microbiota vault initiative: safeguarding Earth’s microbial heritage for future generations. Nat Commun 16, 5373 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61008-5

In this episode, we explore zoonotic diseases and their growing impact on global health.

Professor Clare Bryant, sheds light on strategies to vaccinate animals to prevent pathogen transmission into humans. We also delve into the historical context of the disease, the role of vaccines, and the importance of coordinated public health.

Whether you're a public health professional or simply curious about emerging infectious diseases, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the science, challenges, and solutions surrounding zoonotic diseases.

Pain. It comes in many forms: physical and emotional. But do we really understand it?

This episode will attempt to answer fundamental questions about what pain is, how it is experienced, and why it is such a critical aspect of human existence.

We speak with Prof Jeff Mogil to discuss sex differences in pain. His work has been influential in promoting the inclusion of both sexes in pain research, ensuring that treatments and pain management strategies are more effective for everyone. We are also joined by Steve Ruston, CEO of Persica, to discuss non-opioid intradiscal injection to treat chronic low back pain caused by bacterial infection.

Show notes

Nanoparticle gel could help save degraded coral reefs

Plants struggled for millions of years after the world's worst climate catastrophe