Helen Scales

  • Inside of a shell showing mother of pearl
    Podcast

    Nacre

    2015-05-20T00:00:00

    From a glamorous necklace to cutting edge body armour - Helen Scales investigates the properties of nacre

  • Mussels
    Podcast

    Mussel adhesive proteins

    2015-05-06T00:00:00

    How do mussels stick tight and weather the constant ocean waves? Helen Scales discovers mussel adhesive proteins

  • limpet shell
    Podcast

    Goethite

    2015-04-16T00:00:00

    It’s the strongest known biological material and one of the earliest pigments - Helen Scales discovers goethite

  • Antifreeze-glycoproteins_shutterstock_153639434_300tb
    Podcast

    Antifreeze glycoproteins

    2014-08-06T00:00:00

    Why don’t fish freeze in sub-zero seas? Helen Scales introduces the compounds that protect them - antifreeze glycoproteins

  • A man working on pressure washer to cleaning boat hull barnacles antifouling and seaweed at the harbor
    Podcast

    Tributyltin

    2014-07-16T00:00:00

    Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing ‘imposex’ in marine life

  • Shark
    Podcast

    Squalene

    2014-07-02T00:00:00

    It helps keep sharks afloat, but may be partly responsible for their declining numbers: Helen Scales introduces squalene

  • Leech
    Podcast

    Hirudin

    2014-02-26T00:00:00

    Helen Scales investigates hirudin, a powerful anticoagulant found in leech saliva

  • Cone snail, Cyprus
    Podcast

    Conotoxins

    2014-01-08T00:00:00

    Helen Scales finds out how unique toxins found in deadly cone snail stings could herald the next generation of painkillers

  • Spanish fly
    Podcast

    Spanish fly

    2013-10-10T00:00:00

    Helen Scales looks at cantharidin, the active ingredient in this famous aphrodisiac

  • Sperm whale
    Podcast

    Ambergris

    2013-09-18T00:00:00

    How can whale waste make you a fortune? This week, Helen Scales searches for Ambergris