Biology Interviews

Critter of the Month - Vent shrimp

This month's critter can see hot bodies in the darkness of the deep sea.Tim Shank, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Shifting perspectives with underwater photography

Photojournalist Brian Skerry brings back snapshots of the oceans that help shift our perspective on the underwater world.Brian Skerry

From art to artificial reefs

Jason deCaires Taylor's sculptures take on new life and new meaning on the seabed.Jason deCaires Taylor

Getting under the Skin of Melanoma

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that's becoming increasingly common; in fact, the incidence of the disease has doubled in the last ten years. But now there's some good news, because, with the help of a tankful of fish, scientists at Harvard University have discovered a key gene that drives the disease and therefore could hold the key to new ways to treat it...Dr Leonard Zon, Harvard University

Planet Earth Online - Bone Eating Worms

Another source of energy for deep sea species is the bodies of whales and other animals that fall to the sea bed. Nick Higgs, from the University of Leeds, researches whale fossils, which show tell-tale signs of a much smaller creature that could hold the key to why there’s a gap in the evolutionary record of whales...Nick Higgs, University of Leeds

How Progesterone Excites Sperm

Also this week, a pair of papers in the journal Nature have shed some light on how human sperm cells react to the presence of progesterone, and this could lead to a whole new type of contraceptive...Dr Steve Publicover, Birmingham University

The DNA that makes us Human

Scientists at Stanford University in California have discovered how certain changes in our DNA have sculpted the evolution of human specific traits and those in particular that set us apart from our closest relatives...Dr David Kingsley, Stanford University

Critter of the month - North Atlantic Right Whale

Mark Baumgartner from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution chooses a very rare critter with a huge appetite.Mark Baumgartner, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Supplying the seahorse trade

Breeding seahorses in captivity to supply aquariums aims to help reduce pressure on wild populations.Shawn Garner, Mote Marine Laboratory

Aspirin as Preventative Medicine

Aspirin was touted originally as treatment for pain; but, 100 years on, we now know it’s much more powerful than that. Peter Rothwell is Oxford University’s Professor of Clinical Neurology and he’s with us to discuss what else aspirin can do...Peter Rothwell, University of Oxford

Planet Earth Online - Dinosaurs Show their True Colours

Now here’s a question... What colour are dinosaurs? It’s an issue that puzzled palaeontologists since fossils of the creatures were first discovered. But now, thanks to modern science, dinosaurs are beginning to show their true colours...Professor Mike Benton, University of Bristol

Omega-3 Prevents Common Forms of Blindness

If you're a big fan of eating oily fish then you're probably doing your eye sight a big long term favour, because scientists at Harvard Medical School have discovered that the omega-3 fatty acids that are found in the fish can block the damage that's done to the retina by diseases like macular degeneration...Dr Lois Smith, Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital

Critter of the Month - Clown Anemone Fish

A gender-bending critter reveals what life is like as a male and then female.Peter Buston, Boston University

Secret sex lives of Jellyfish

How do jellyfish find each other to have sex and make more jellyfish? And are these prolific beasties really on the rise around the oceans today?Cathy Lucas, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton

Coral reef mass spawning

Coral reefs have evolved a spectacular solution to the problem of having sex while being rooted firmly to the seabed.James guest, National University of Singapore

A mating problem for Nassau groupers

When thousands of Nassau groupers gather to mate on Caribbean coral reefs, fishermen find them an irresistible target.Brice Semmens, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

Diamond News Update - Fighting antibiotic resistance

Sarah Boundy brings us the latest news from the synchrotron...Sarah Boundy, Diamond Light Source

Rapid Change in Bacterial Genome

New research sheds light on how some bacteria are capable of extremely quick genetic change, incorporating whole sections of DNA from other cells to evade our immune system and invalidate our vaccines...Dr Stephen Bentley, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

Contagious canine tumours steal host cell spare parts

Researchers at Imperial College in London have discovered an unusual process which is happening in a contagious form of cancer that infects dogs called canine transmissible venereal tumour or CTVT. This cancer spreads via physical contact and the study found that the cancer cells keep themselves healthy by stealing key cellular spare parts from the host animal.Dr Clare Rebbeck, Imperial College

Planet Earth - Bower Bird Mimicry

Richard Hollingham goes to Edinburgh Zoo to investigate Bower birds. These are natives of Australia and Papua New Guinea which build impressive bauers to attract mates. But it also turns out that they are highly impressive mimics...Laura Kelley, University of Edinburgh