Biology

Cell researcher and author Katharina Vestre joins Gaute Einevoll for a Norwegian-language conversation about the cells that build the human body. They explore how diverse cells, from muscle fibres to red blood cells, cooperate while sharing a common organisation of membranes and organelles. The discussion considers how that internal machinery allows cells to survive, perform specialised functions and divide, drawing on Vestre’s book about cellular life.

This episode examines the history of genetics and the Genetics Society’s relationship with the eugenics movement. The discussion draws on an article investigating how ideas about heredity became entangled with the discredited programme of applying selective breeding to human populations. It invites listeners to consider the scientific community’s own history and the responsibilities attached to genetic research.

Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove and Brianne Barker discuss a newly identified mechanism for RNA-guided DNA recognition and genetic control that may predate CRISPR pathways. They also examine research proposing that features of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology could have originated as a host response to infection in the brain, including evidence concerning phosphorylated tau and herpesvirus activity. The episode connects ancient molecular recognition mechanisms with questions about antiviral defence.

Vincent Racaniello speaks with Roberto Cattaneo and Kalpana Yadav at the 2026 American Society for Virology meeting about measles persistence in the brain. They discuss selection for highly fusogenic viral variants when usual measles receptors are absent, neuron-to-neuron spread, and the development of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare, fatal delayed complication of measles infection.

The Royal Society supports short exchanges between UK academia and industry to develop research collaborations. Fellowships last three to six months full-time, or up to twelve months at 50% part-time. Funding covers the salary of the applicant and/or a nominated postdoctoral researcher plus research expenses of up to £1,000. Applications for the second 2026 round close on 7 October 2026.

Fund collaborative research on electron transfer between biological and synthetic components, including enzyme–electrode interfaces and electroactive microbes. The programme encourages rigorous mechanistic work and integration of data science or AI, rather than development of a specific end product. Consortia of two to four groups may request DKK 30–75 million over six years. A qualifying European lead institution and Danish participation are required. First-stage applications close on 7 October 2026.

Develop machine-learning methods for early prediction of primary sclerosing cholangitis using clinical and national registry data. The project in the Nouairi research environment explores prediction in people with inflammatory bowel disease, with attention to calibration, validation and interpretable models. It is a research-training scholarship for eligible university students at Karolinska Institutet or a collaborating university. The source does not advertise an amount. Apply by 7 October 2026.

Help Danish research institutions recruit faculty and establish independent research groups in life sciences, medicine and other fields relevant to health or sustainability, including data science and AI. Four-year support is capped at DKK 5 million for assistant professors, DKK 8 million for associate professors and DKK 10 million for full or eligible clinical professors. The institution’s appointment authority must apply for an identified candidate. The deadline is 8 October 2026 at 2 p.m. Copenhagen time.

Rafael Rosengarten and BioPharmaTrend co-founder Andrii Buvailo discuss how to assess progress in AI-assisted drug discovery. They trace the move from individual computational tasks to connected research workflows and question whether counting AI-associated drug candidates captures the technology’s value. Topics include research productivity, trial design, biomarkers, human expertise and the use of patient-derived data, organoids and other representative biological systems to improve translation. The conversation also considers why AI has become polarising and how specialised models may fit into pharmaceutical research.

Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove and Brianne Barker discuss a newly identified mechanism for RNA-guided DNA recognition and genetic control that may predate CRISPR pathways. They also examine research proposing that features of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology could have originated as a host response to infection in the brain, including evidence concerning phosphorylated tau and herpesvirus activity. The episode connects ancient molecular recognition mechanisms with questions about antiviral defence.

Cell researcher and author Katharina Vestre joins Gaute Einevoll for a Norwegian-language conversation about the cells that build the human body. They explore how diverse cells, from muscle fibres to red blood cells, cooperate while sharing a common organisation of membranes and organelles. The discussion considers how that internal machinery allows cells to survive, perform specialised functions and divide, drawing on Vestre’s book about cellular life.

This episode examines the history of genetics and the Genetics Society’s relationship with the eugenics movement. The discussion draws on an article investigating how ideas about heredity became entangled with the discredited programme of applying selective breeding to human populations. It invites listeners to consider the scientific community’s own history and the responsibilities attached to genetic research.