genetics unzipped

Podcast: Did a legendary train ride really lead to the rediscovery of Mendel’s laws?

| May 23, 2019
HOST OVERVIEW
Kat Arney: Kat Arney, biologist and award-winning science communicator, hosts the Genetics Unzipped podcast, a project of the UK Genetics Society.    More details

British geneticist William Bateson is widely credited with bringing the groundbreaking work of Gregor Mendel to the attention of the scientific world, apparently inspired by reading a copy of Mendel’s paper describing the laws of inheritance in pea plants while on the train to deliver a lecture at the Royal Horticultural Society in London in May 1900. It’s a nice story, sure—but did it really happen?

On the latest episode of Genetics Unzipped, part of our series covering 100 ideas in genetics, biologist Kat Arney retraces Bateson’s famous journey and asks whether this scientific legend is actually true.

The focus on Mendel’s peas in the history of genetics means that other important species tend to get overlooked. Also in this episode, Arney takes a look at the role that delicate, colorful snapdragons (antirrhinums) have played in revealing the complex interplay between genes and biological structures. Finally, she discovers how to build an army of MinIONs—that’s the handheld DNA sequencers, rather than the little yellow guys in dungarees.

Full transcript, credits and show notes here.

Genetics Unzipped is presented by award-winning science communicator and biologist Kat Arney and produced by First Create the Media for the UK Genetics Society. Follow Kat on Twitter @Kat_Arney and Genetics Unzipped @geneticsunzip

Listen to Genetics Unzipped on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Google Play, Stitcher, Blubrry, TuneIn, Spotify, and Spreaker

GLP Podcast Hosts

Listen to more episodes

glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.