Nature India Podcast

The Biolore podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.This episode of Biolore explores the science and history of plant tissue culture and its transformative impact on agriculture and forestry in India. It highlights key breakthroughs such as haploid culture, pioneered by Panchanan Maheshwari’s team at Delhi University, and micropropagation, which helped scale up plant breeding. The episode also delves into forestry applications, notably the revival of century-old teak trees at the National Chemical Laboratory Pune. Researchers discuss the commercial success of tissue-cultured bananas, the challenges of virus outbreaks, and the need for crop diversification. They talk about how plant tissue culture is reshaping farming, making crops more resilient and improving yields worldwide.Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

In this episode of Biolore, experts Ankila Hiremath, Manzoor Shah, and Ninad Mungi uncover the hidden impact of invasive plant species on India’s biodiversity. From the aggressive spread of Lantana camara choking forests to the unexpected dominance of Canadian horseweed in Kashmir, invasive species are altering landscapes, disrupting food webs, and affecting local economies. The discussion explores how history, climate, and human activity drive these invasions and why prevention is the key to control. Can policy, science, and grassroots action reverse the damage? Tune in to learn why these ‘silent invaders’ demand urgent attention.The Biolore podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

In the third episode of Biolore, we explore how scientists are using cutting-edge genetic sequencing to uncover the mysteries held within centuries-old remains of animals and humans, and hear how this knowledge is important for conservation of species and medicine today.The Biolore podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.Host: Subhra Priyadarshini ; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh ; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George ; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

The Biolore podcast series presents captivating, lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind. In the second episode of Biolore, we discuss the science, culture and controversy surrounding the world's most favourite rice — basmati.

The Biolore podcast series presents captivating, lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.In the first episode, discover how the zebrafish, a tropical fish from the Ganga river, journeyed to a US lab to become a beloved model organism in biomedical research.Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

Voting is underway in the 2024 general elections in India, the world's largest democracy, with nearly 970 million eligible voters. This election period, spanning over a month and a half, provides a unique opportunity to look back on the course of science and innovation in India, celebrating milestones achieved while pondering over the challenges that lie ahead.Nature India brings to you an exclusive conversation around the pressing questions scientists in India are contemplating — their wish list for the newly elected government, their favourite science moments and their take on the public understanding of science.Host: Subhra Priyadarshini, production and script: Sahana Ghosh, Subhra Priyadarshini, sound editing: Prince George.

What goes into producing the science podcast at Nature India? Listen in.

In this final episode of the "Our mobile world" series, we look at the future of mobile devices and communication technologies. Host: Subhra Priyadarshini, production and script: Sahana Ghosh, sound editing: Prince George.