The Life Scientific

Ever heard of the unsuccessful Dutch painter who decided to humiliate his critics by forging Vermeers, which the artworld subsequently dubbed 'masterpieces'? Or the businessman who bought a Marc Chagall painting that he displayed with pride for years, before a television investigation revealed to his horror that it was a fake?Today we're exploring the scientific techniques used to reveal forged artworks - and bring down scammers still trying to make millions from fake masterpieces.Jehane Ragai is an Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the American University in Cairo, with a passion for science matched by her love of arts and culture. Early in her career Jehane helped analyse the Great Sphinx of Giza and later became fascinated by the world of art forgery, leading to her acclaimed book, ‘The Scientist and the Forger’. Her life has not been without its difficulties, but - perhaps unsurprisingly, as the daughter of renowned Egyptian feminist Doria Shafik - she’s not one to shy away from a challenge. And as she tells Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Jehane feels priveleged to have been able to integrate her twin passions into a career; advice she now passes on to her students.Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy TaylorA BBC Studios production for Radio 4

Tony Juniper, an environmentalist and chair of Natural England, shares his inspiring journey from saving endangered parrots, including the remarkable Spix's macaw, to advising the Royal Household on sustainability. He discusses the critical link between nature and humanity's future, advocating for a balanced approach that recognizes nature as vital infrastructure. With optimism, he reflects on his efforts in conservation, including landscape recovery projects and the importance of educating children about the environment, while envisioning a hopeful future beyond his current role.

Pierre Friedlingstein, a leading climate scientist and Chair at the University of Exeter, discusses his groundbreaking work on carbon's role in climate change. He emphasizes the urgent need to understand the carbon budget and its limits for keeping global warming below 1.5°C. He sheds light on Brazil's deforestation and its impact on carbon storage, while also sharing his personal commitment to minimizing his carbon footprint. Friedlingstein provides actionable insights on how individuals can contribute to reducing emissions, showcasing a blend of scientific expertise and personal responsibility.

In this captivating discussion, neuropsychologist Julia Simner, director of the Multisense Lab at the University of Sussex, explores the fascinating world of synesthesia and sensory differences. She shares intriguing insights about how words can evoke tastes and the surprising results when testing host Jim for synesthesia. Julia also delves into her own aphantasia and the links between sensory traits and autism. Discover her journey through academia and the social implications of her research, painting a vibrant picture of our unique sensory experiences.

Caroline Smith, Head of Collections at the Natural History Museum, specializes in meteorites and their profound implications for life beyond Earth. She reveals fascinating insights into the Narcla Martian meteorite and its evidence of past water, highlighting meteorites as keys to understanding early Solar System chemistry. Caroline discusses the security of transporting valuable samples and the preparation for Mars sample return missions. Her personal journey from childhood rock collecting to space science is both inspiring and informative, underscoring the societal value of her work.

AP De Silva, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Queen's University Belfast, is a pioneer of molecular photosensors. He discusses his groundbreaking work on portable fluorescence-based blood analyzers, inspired by his grandmother's health struggles. De Silva shares his journey from Sri Lanka to Belfast, his innovative sodium sensor that saves lives, and how molecular logic could revolutionize healthcare. He reflects on the impact of his collaborations and expresses hope for the future of molecular engineering in medicine.

Sir Peter Knight, Emeritus Professor at Imperial College London, is a trailblazer in quantum optics and a key figure in the UK's National Quantum Technologies Programme. He discusses how quantum computers could solve complex problems in seconds and explains the intriguing concept of superposition and its implications. Knight shares insights from his transition from chemistry to theoretical physics and reflects on his pride in mentoring future quantum scientists. He also outlines the UK's leading position in quantum technology and its transformative potential across various fields.

Eleanor Schofield, a materials engineer and Director of Collections at the Mary Rose Trust, delves into the fascinating world of conserving the Tudor warship Mary Rose. She shares her insights on the challenges of preserving 500-year-old wood and metal, including the innovative use of PEG to prevent shrinkage. Eleanor also discusses the emotional impact of seeing the ship's scale and the importance of cutting-edge synchrotron science in her work. Her personal journey through loss and career transitions adds depth to her commitment to history and conservation.

"My ideas are often labelled as impossible, or useless, or both. Usually when people say that I'm on the right track."George Church is a geneticist, molecular engineer, and one of the pioneers of modern genomics. He's also someone who makes a habit of finding solutions to the seemingly impossible.Over the course of his career so far, George developed the first method for direct genomic sequencing, helped initiate the Human Genome Project, and founded the Personal Genome Project: making huge quantities of DNA data publicly available for research. Today, as a professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, he’s working on some of the most headline-grabbing - and controversial - science on the planet: from the so-called "de-extinction" of woolly mammoths, to growing transplant-suitable organs in pigs, to virus-proofing humans.When inspiration strikes, there seems to be little that will slow him down - even the fact that he has narcolepsy, the neurological disorder that causes sudden sleep attacks. In fact, as George tells Professor Jim Al-Khalili, some of his best ideas come in those moments between waking and sleep...Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor for BBC Studios

Movies might have us believe that bomb disposal comes down to cutting the right wire. In fact, explosive devices are complex and varied - and learning how to dispose of them safely involves intense training, as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure. This was the world of Dr Gareth Collett, a retired British Army Brigadier General and engineer, specialising in bomb disposal; whose 32-year military career took him around the world, including heading up major ordnance clearance projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the army, Gareth became a university lecturer – but following his diagnosis with bladder cancer, started researching a possible link between bomb disposal veterans and higher rates of urological cancers.In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Gareth discusses this ongoing research, dealing with PTSD - and why he just can't watch Oscar-winning movie The Hurt Locker...Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor for BBC Studios