DNA
Dung and Dusted
Jamie Wood from Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research joins us to talk about a study of DNA found in fossilized Moa droppings - and the understanding that has been gained in terms of the impact extinction… Audio
Gene editor may not work on humans
It's been dubbed the biggest advance in the world of genetic engineering but scientists are still trying to discover more about what the gene-therapy CRISPR-Cas9 can do.
It's often described as… Audio
Who's got your DNA?
Who has access to your DNA? More importantly...do you?
Most people now have the right to access their lab results and DNA data. But that doesn't mean the companies that hold that data can't access it… Audio
DNA from space!
Until now astronauts have had to send mysterious microbes and organisms back to earth to figure out what they are.
But for the first time, NASA astronauts have successfully sequenced DNA and… Audio
The case of the ballooning wine glasses
In Naked Science news, empirical evidence that wine glasses have got bigger... way bigger, and a potential breakthrough in the treatment of the degenerative brain condition Huntington's Disease. Audio
Precision gene editing: a new approach
Since it was first discovered 4 years ago, the gene editing technology CRISPR-Cas 9 has shown potential in its ability to remodel our DNA and correct genetic abnormalities associated with health… Audio
Inherited heart disease: you're not doomed by your DNA
Anna Pilbrow says that a complex interaction of genetic factors underpin our risk of getting heart disease - and leading a healhy lifestyle lowers the risk. Audio
To-wood the future
Precision-bred trees will be central to our economy as wood-based products replace plastic and glass fibre in laptop cases, car interiors and even aeroplanes, a molecular geneticist says. Audio
New tech simplifies DNA sequencing for primary sector
Improvements to DNA sequencing technology will be able to help researchers solve genetic problems faster in animals, plants and other organisms, a Palmerston North scientist says.
New Caledonia's indigenous rebuff DNA research
Researchers trying to trace the DNA of indigenous peoples have been rebuffed in New Caledonia.
DNA deciphering: families, surprises and skeletons
Genealogy is now the second most popular hobby in the United States (after gardening), according to Time magazine. NZ genealogist Michelle Patient is an expert in using DNA tests to help people find… Audio, Gallery
Beyond binary: storing data in DNA
The cloud may soon blow over, as scientists investigate storing information in the densest known storage medium in the universe – DNA. Luis Ceze has been exploring the possibilities. Audio, Gallery
Turning DNA into music
Mark Temple of Western Sydney University is a molecular biologist and a musician who's developed a way to turn DNA into music, so now you can 'hear' a genetic mutation. Audio
A genetic helping hand for conservation
Four scientists talk about genetics and how it can help in the conservation of rare birds such as little spotted kiwi. Audio
Canine DNA and 'Darwin's Dogs'
Kiwi canine DNA has been collected as part of a global project, called Darwin's Dogs, investigating the genes behind the personalities of dogs. Audio
Missing pieces in the code of life could play a role in cancer
The sequencing of an entire human genome in 2003 was hailed as a great victory, but in reality, it wasn't complete. The uncharted regions of the genome could play a role in cancer and autism, some… Audio
Geneticists join the fight against myrtle rust
Geneticists are hoping to discover genes which could protect manuka trees from myrtle rust. 46 cases of myrtle rust have been recorded in Taranaki, Northland and Bay of Plenty with Ministry of Primary… Audio
Teachers using own DNA for human evolution studies
About 250 New Zealand science and social science teachers have the opportunity to send samples of their own DNA to the National Geographic Genographic Laboratory in the United States to help teach… Audio
Synthetic life – can we build it?
At a recent conference in New York, 250 scientists from 10 countries discussed the ethics of creating genomes. They also pitched ideas, including plants that can sniff out explosives and microbes that… Audio
Fish and chips might be in our DNA
A type of shark often used for fish and chips has been found to have the same DNA memory tags as those in the human body.