This week we’re exploring our microbial metropolis.
Smitha Mundasad heads into the lab to meet the bacteria that live on her skin – and on her family’s dirty laundry – to understand what’s there, and why. She goes antibiotic-hunting around her house to find out whether bacteria on a washing up sponge, a fluffy cushion, the bottom of a shoe – and even some of her kids’ play slime – could hold the key to helping scientists find new medicines. Next, Smitha wants to find out the answer to how often we should wash ourselves – and our clothes – for good health, but, as she finds out, this question is not as simple as it sounds. It turns out there's a big difference between cleanliness and hygiene – and the confusion between these two rather important words could be having an impact on our health…
Presenter: Dr Smitha Mundasad Producer: Gerry Holt Editor: Holly Squire
Secrets of sewage science
A spoonful of sweetener
A good death with friends and family
Covid waves, Gene therapy for haemophilia B, New uses for old drugs
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Monkeypox, mind body connections, are children exercising less since Covid?
Medical language, chemo brain & heatwaves
How's your hay fever?
The Power of the Dog
Long Covid revisited
Multiple sclerosis and the Epstein Barr virus
Cervical screening, blood donation & measles
Rapid genome sequencing in the clinic
Can I take HRT forever & hydration myths
Pig organs for transplant patients
Covid boosters, Vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy, Group B strep
New therapies for sickle cell disease
Asthma inhalers and Covid antivirals
Omicron
New Year's Resolutions
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Good Mood Revolution
Global News Podcast
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
The Infinite Monkey Cage
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins