Johannes Krause, a genetics researcher at the Max Planck Institute, dives into the fascinating world of human evolution and our ancient relatives, the Neanderthals. He discusses how recent paleontological and genetic discoveries reveal the timeline of interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals. Krause also highlights the unique traits that led Homo sapiens to prosper, including adaptability and cultural diversity. Additionally, he touches on the surprising genetic links affecting modern human health, particularly in relation to COVID-19, emphasizing the value of curiosity in research.