Monthly Archives: October 2013
The Nobel Prize, the Royal Mail, and cell biology
By Jess Devonport, Marketing and Communications Officer at the Society of Biology and one-time owner of a pair of shoes that are still lost in the post. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2013 was awarded to James E Rothman, Randy W Schekman, and Thomas C Südhof for their discoveries of the “machinery regulating … Continue reading
“Genetic Art”- using science to save species
Guest post from Darrin Grandmason, founder of genetic art company DNA on a SHIRT. Grandmason is currently using his genetic art to help save the endangered cheetah. A common conversation ice-breaker is “What do you do?” After answering this question too many times, I figured out the best answer. That is what I tell people: “I’m … Continue reading
Sometimes you need your own space – DIY for solitary bees
In advance of Professor Adam Hart’s 24 hour lecturethon, David Urry from the Society of Biology shares his experiences of building a bee hotel. I am not the most practically minded person in the world, but I do enjoy a bit of D.I.Y. After coming across an old picture frame and backing board in the … Continue reading
The petri dish dinner party – a solution served up by science
Philippa Skett is an intern at the Society of Biology helping out with Biology Week 2013. This year in partnership with the Global Food Security programme we have developed classroom resources about where our food comes from, and just how many resources our food production needs. The concept of food security may be an alien one to many, although it … Continue reading
Behavioural Genetics: who are you?
Dr Claire Hastings introduces the field of Behavioural Genetics ahead of the Royal Institution debate entitled: “The good, the bad, and the genetically predetermined” on the 15th October, during Biology Week 2013. Your genome contains all the instructions for building you. This includes genes that affect your behaviour: from learning and memory, eating and sleeping … Continue reading
Run for your life: the Saharan silver ant
Guest post by Mel Evans, a student at the University of Gloucestershire. Read carefully – hidden in here is an answer to one of the pub quiz questions which will be asked during Professor Adam Hart’s 24 hour lecture On the surface, ants don’t always seem like the most extreme of animals. Not so with … Continue reading