The Life Scientific

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

Many people will be familiar with Parkinson’s disease: the progressive brain disorder that causes symptoms including tremors and slower movement, leading on to serious cognitive problems. You might not know that it’s the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Today it affects around 11.8 million people and that’s forecast to double by 2030. Dr Sonia Gandhi is one of the scientists working to change that trend. As Professor of Neurology at University College London and Assistant Research Director at the Francis Crick Institute, her work involves using stem cells to build models of the human brain, helping to drive the development of drugs and other therapies for Parkinson’s patients.Talking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Sonia explains why this destructive condition is on the rise - and the promising routes they're studying to find new ways to tackle it.Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor for BBC StudiosFor details of organisations that offer advice and support to anyone affected by Parkinson's Disease, please go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Mark O'Shea, a herpetologist and venomous snake expert, shares thrilling tales of his close encounters with deadly reptiles. He discusses the challenges of antivenom production and the ecological importance of snakes in controlling rodent populations. Mark recounts a dramatic rattlesnake bite and the difficulties faced in rural healthcare access for snakebite victims. He also reflects on his journey from a disinterested student to an esteemed professor, and the personal joy of having a new species named after him.

There can't be many people in the world who've saved lives in hospital emergency rooms and also helped care for the wellbeing of astronauts in space – but Kevin Fong’s career has followed a singular path: from astrophysics and trauma medicine, to working with NASA, to becoming an Air Ambulance doctor.Kevin is a consultant anaesthetist and professor of public engagement and innovation at University College London. He’s worked on the front line in hospitals, dealing with major incidents and helping shape policy; but he's also stayed true to his childhood passion for space, working on multiple projects with NASA and even going through the astronaut application process himself. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also become a well-known figure in science broadcasting through his various radio and TV shows.Speaking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Kevin admits it hasn't always been an easy path – but his passion for both space and medicine have got him through. And today, he's channelling his energies into ensuring we protect the NHS's most precious commodity: its staff.Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy TaylorThis programme was a BBC Studios Audio prouction for Radio 4.

Dame Pratibha Gai, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at York University, has revolutionized how we understand chemical reactions at the atomic level with her pioneering environmental transmission electron microscope. She discusses the inefficiencies of traditional chemical processes and how her work allows real-time observation and manipulation of reactions. Gai shares her inspiring journey in a male-dominated field and emphasizes the importance of mentorship. Additionally, she highlights the collaborative nature of microscopy advancements and their potential for environmentally friendly innovation.

Catherine Heymans, a Professor at the University of Edinburgh and Scotland's Astronomer Royal, dives into the universe's mysteries with a comedic twist. She passionately discusses the complexities of dark matter and dark energy while sharing personal stories that shaped her journey in astrophysics. Catherine also reflects on how she navigated long COVID and its influence on her career ambitions. With a focus on accessibility in science, she highlights initiatives to inspire the next generation, particularly young women, to explore the wonders of physics.

As a young man, traveling in Africa, Tim Coulson - now Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford - became seriously ill with malaria and was told a second bout would probably kill him. Aged only 20, this brush with his own mortality led him to promise himself he would write a complete guide to science: life, the universe and everything. His aim was to understand the existence of all living things - no mean feat!Over the course of a colourful career, Tim's work has taken him all over the world: including researching wolves in Yellowstone National Park, little fish called guppies in the rivers of Trinidad and silvereye birds on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Using complicated mathematical models he builds up a picture of ecosystems seeking to explain how predators impact both evolution and ecosystems. And finally, more than thirty years after he vowed to write the book that would explain everything we know about science, he's done just that.In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Tim talks about his journey from youthful ambition to science demystifier.Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Geraldine Fitzgerald

Claudia de Rham, a Professor of theoretical physics at Imperial College London, is a trailblazer in massive gravity theory. She shares her adventurous relationship with gravity, from scuba diving to flying, while dreaming of becoming an astronaut. Claudia reflects on her childhood in Peru, her academic challenges as a woman in physics, and her personal journey dealing with unexpected health news. She dives into the complexities of her research, battling skepticism in the scientific community while balancing her career and motherhood, offering a passionate perspective on understanding the cosmos.