The Genetics of Obesity

In this podcast from the University of Cambridge, Andrew Wallace-Hadrill analyses the volcanic ash of Herculaneum to reveal a new understanding of the ancient Roman city and Clive Oppenheimer examines measurement, modelling and super-eruptions. Picture: Hiking volcanoes in Guatemala by Guillermogg on Flickr

We’re all well used to the roar of the jet engine. Those living under flight paths or near our airports have even learnt to live with its regular intrusions. But the search is now on for something that will revolutionise the aviation industry – the silent aircraft. A prototype plane is still some time off, but a team headed by researchers from the University of Cambridge and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts is developing a design for a low fuel burn and ultra-low noise level aircraft. It’s also going to have a dramatic effect on the debate over aircraft sustainability. Tom Hynes is a Reader in Cambridge University Engineering Department, and Steven Barrett is a Lecturer in Transport Technology at the University of Cambridge. Reporter: Richard Hollingham. Produced by Whistledown Productions

King Henry the VIII is chiefly associated with gluttony, lechery and murder. Surprisingly, it turns out he was also a deeply sensitive soul, who liked to express himself by penning his own musical compositions. Even more surprisingly, he was rather good at it. Love, longing, desire and passion; this is Henry as you've never heard him before. In this podcast you can hear a selection of this stunning early music, sung by the group Alamire, to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry's coronation. Reporter Fred Dove spoke to David Skinner, Alamire's director and Director of Music at Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, about Henry's juicy musical legacy.

Less than 60 years after Cambridge scientists Watson and Crick first discovered the 3D structure of DNA, Professor Shankar Balasubramanian and his team of chemical biologists have not only co-discovered how to make DNA sequencing cheaper and quicker but are unlocking the mysteries of four-stranded DNA structures. This is an image from one of the very early runs of Solexa sequencing (done in the company Solexa). It represents an image of a surface of a sequencing chip containing clusters of DNA molecules during one cycle of Solexa sequencing.

Jaideep Prabhu, Professor of Indian Business and Enterprise at the Judge Business School, Cambridge, explores the rising impact of India as a global power and examines its position within international business. To find out more please visit the links below: The Centre for India & Global Business at Cambridge Judge Business School http://www.india.jbs.cam.ac.uk Cambridge Executive Education “Emerging Markets” open enrolment programme http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/execed/open/emergingmarkets.html

Dr Roger Barker from the Centre for Brain Repair at the University of Cambridge is leading a unique initiative which brings together some of the world’s foremost Parkinson’s researchers to reduce further delays in using cells to treat Parkinson’s disease. The initiative will focus on refining cell-based therapy, which replaces the diseased cells with healthy cells.

Sir Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal and Master of Trinity College, talks to us about the Apollo 11 moon landings in an interview that reflects on the legacy of the lunar expedition and considers the future of space exploration.

Image credit: abradyb on Flickr.

Genetics and the brain play a key role in predisposing some people to obesity. In this Cambridge podcast Catherine Carr looks at how biochemists and neuroscientists are working together to discover the triggers to weight gain. Professor Stephen O'Rahilly of the Institute of Metabolic Science at Cambridge University describes how key genes can contribute to severe cases of obesity, while Dr Sadaf Farooqi a Senior Clinical Fellow at the University, recalls the eureka moment of singling out the first gene to be directly linked with obesity. Psychiatrist Paul Fletcher meanwhile, considers how genetics can directly affect our feelings and behaviours around food. Image credit: FightObesity from Flickr

Global terrorism should be shrugged off as a low level risk allowing us all to get on with our lives. Katie Derham introduces this Cambridge podcast with a look at how scientific understanding of risk is influencing our thinking on the fight against global terror. Professor Ross Anderson of the University of Cambridge describes our battle with violent political extremists as like a skin complaint that we can’t cure, but which we can't help scratching. In a lively panel discussion as part of the Science Festival, we hear from others including John Adams of University College London, Tom Sorrel of the University of Birmingham and Brooke Rodgers, from Kings College London.