In 2003, an incredible scientific milestone was achieved as the first human genome completed sequencing. For 20 years, this genome has been used as a reference by researchers for comparison to all other DNA sequences. Now, the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium is addressing the lack of genetic diversity starting with 47 new reference genomes. Members of the consortium, Dr Karen Miga and Dr Benedict Paten, join Roland to discuss the first stages of the project.

For the first time the public will have access to thousands of documents from the Royal Society’s historical collections following their digitisation. Vic Gill visits the vaults to see some of these pieces of history first hand.

We are also taking a trip 30km above the Earth, to the stratosphere, where Daniel Bowman from Sandia National Laboratories is using solar powered balloons to listen to the mysterious sounds of our planet.


Contributors:

Karen Miga, Assistant Professor, UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute
Benedict Paten, Associate Professor, UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute
Vic Gill, Science Correspondent
Royal Society
Danny Bowman, Principal Scientist, Sandia National Laboratories

Image Credit: Darryl Leja, NHGRI

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber