Can bacteriophages help us in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections? Author Tom Ireland joins the show to discuss the fascinating world of bacteriophages, also known as phages – viruses that attack bacteria.. Then, Ben Chan, a resea

Herpes: Symptoms and Stigma

Oct 19th, 2023 22m 3s

Why do we all know so little about the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), despite the fact that herpes infections are common and chronic? First, we get some Herpes 101 from researcher Anna Wald. Then, we speak with Ella Dawson, a sex and culture criti

HPV: Unpacking Papilloma

Oct 12th, 2023 27m

What can the mythical jackalope teach us about HPV? Author Michael Branch tells the story of how scientists first discovered horned rabbits, and how their findings paved the way for the study of all different kinds of papilloma viruses. Then, E

Influenza: In the Wild

Oct 5th, 2023 27m 26s

What risk does H5N1 pose to humans? We hear from David Quammen, author of “Spillover,” about the vast and complicated interplay between influenza, the environment, animals, and humans. Then, molecular virologist Wendy Puryear helps us understan

The Common Cold: A Viral Mystery

Sep 28th, 2023 33m 26s

What do we know – and not know – about the suite of viral infections known as “the common cold”? We speak with curator Katie Dabin about the UK’s Common Cold Unit, where volunteers signed up over the course of decades to get infected with colds

RSV: The Quest for a New Vaccine

Sep 21st, 2023 23m 12s

What is ‘structure-based’ vaccine design? Before scientists used these techniques to design vaccines against Covid, they were testing them in the lab to combat RSV. Keren Landman joins the show to talk about how this respiratory virus endangers

Polio: The Last Mile

Sep 14th, 2023 27m 32s

Why has polio been so challenging to eradicate? Karen Torghele tells the story of two polio vaccines and the two rival scientists who developed them: Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk. Then, Dr. Ananda S Bandyopadhyay explains our best bet for elimin

Smallpox: Gone but Not Forgotten

Sep 7th, 2023 26m 41s

What can we learn from the centuries-long quest to eradicate smallpox, once the scourge of humanity? And how did it set the stage for all vaccines to come? First we meet Edward Jenner, a doctor in 18th century Britain who learned about the folk

Trailer

Introducing: Incubation

Aug 31st, 2023 1m 56s

A new podcast that traces the history of humanity through viruses. New episodes weekly starting September 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.