THE INTERVIEW: Valerie Ho

Thermodimorphic Fungi

On this episode of the Chempod, we dive into one of the most overlooked kingdoms: fungi, specifically, a group of them, known as thermodimorphic fungi. These fungi have the ability to change from mould to yeast based on the stimulus of temperature. We explore what thermodimorphism means, the reasons to why certain fungi have this trait, and how exactly it occurs. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

THE INTERVIEW: Valerie Ho

For this special episode of The Chempod, we’re joined by Harrow alumna Valerie Ho. As a former Head Girl and a veteran member of our team, previously producing an episode on spectroscopy, Valerie is now preparing to head to Oxford to study Chemistry. Before she leaves, we’ll sit down to discuss what it truly means to be passionate about Chemistry, practical advice on academic success, the EPQ, and academic competitions, and how to truly embrace the school's motto of academic excellence for life and leadership. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Chemistry Behind Love

This episode covers the biology and chemistry of the three stages of love, lust, attraction and attachment, not as feelings, but as a cascade of chemical events. It then looks at what happens on a molecular level during heartbreak, and finally, it explores whether we could, in theory, synthesise the feeling of love. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Chemistry of the Impossible Blue LED

Blue LED isn’t just about the screen you are currently reading this from; it’s a scientific puzzle across three decades and the missing ingredient to making white light. So why was red and green LEDs much easier to make, while making a stable and efficient blue LED was considered a scientific nightmare? In this episode, we are diving into why blue LED is so special and how it was finally made thanks to the persistence of Japanese-American electronic engineer Shuji Nakamura. Linking closely to chemistry, the success of the blue LED could not have happened if not for the unique properties of gallium nitride (GaN), energy bands and gaps, creating n and p-type GaN as well as the use of nitrogen gas in the making of the crystal. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

BIOLOGY EDITION: Chemically Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Could your own cells be the key to curing untreatable diseases? In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge world of Chemically Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (CiPSCs). We break down how scientists are moving past the ethical dilemmas of embryonic cells and the risks of transplant rejection by reprogramming adult somatic cells back to an embryonic-like state. We dive into the mechanics of pluripotency, explaining how the famous Yamanaka factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc—work together to remodel DNA and reset a cell’s identity. Discover why chemical induction is taking the pharmaceutical world by storm, offering a safer, cheaper, and more consistent way to manufacture stem cells without the need for genetic modification. Finally, we look at the real-life impact: from drug discovery for diseases like ALS to cell therapy for Parkinson’s and Diabetes. Join us as we explore a future where a patient’s own cells become their most powerful medicine! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.