Because Reading Textbooks Is So Last Century
Oh, you want to learn about biology? How absolutely thrilling. I suppose opening an actual textbook would be too much effort, so here we are, ready to spoon-feed you fascinating tales of mitochondria and cellular respiration through the miracle of podcast technology.
But fine. I’ll admit it. These biology podcasts are actually… good. Shockingly good, even. Turns out that listening to scientists geek out about CRISPR gene editing or the mating habits of Antarctic krill is somehow more entertaining than it has any right to be. Who knew that the people who spend their days pipetting tiny amounts of liquid could also be compelling storytellers?
So whether you’re a pre-med student desperately trying to make sense of the Krebs cycle, a biology teacher looking for classroom material, or just someone who enjoys falling asleep to soothing discussions about bacterial evolution, we’ve got you covered. Here are the podcasts that make biology almost as addictive as the dopamine response they’ll inevitably explain to you in excruciating detail.
This Week in Microbiology
This Week in Microbiology is a podcast exploring invisible organisms on the planet, presented by Vincent Racaniello alongside colleagues. Racaniello and his guests create a casual but educational dialogue about microscopic life forms that remains understandable to all listeners, regardless of their scientific knowledge.
Lab Notes
The twenty-first century represents the era of biological science. Findings uncovered in laboratories at present will influence future medical treatments. Through Lab Notes, the human narratives underlying major scientific research and achievements are being revealed. Lab Notes is produced by the Allen Institute.
Big Biology
The largest biology podcast designed for devoted science and biology enthusiasts. Showcasing comprehensive conversations with researchers addressing the most significant questions in evolution, genetics, ecology, climate, neuroscience, diseases, the origins of life, psychology and beyond. If a topic is biological, revolutionary, philosophical or enigmatic, it can be discovered here.
A-level Biology Revision Bites
A-level Biology Revision Bites divides study material into enjoyable, manageable segments while incorporating humour throughout the process.
Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta
Talking Biotech is a weekly podcast that reveals the narratives, concepts and investigations of individuals at the forefront of biology and engineering. Each episode examines how science and technology will revolutionize agriculture, safeguard the environment, and nourish 10 billion people by 2050. Conversations are conducted by Dr. Kevin Folta, a professor of molecular biology and genomics.
The Common Descent Podcast
Join David and Will as they examine life and earth history from a paleontologist’s viewpoint. Episodes feature listener-requested topics discussed in an approachable, educational format covering fossils, evolution, deep time, and related subjects. Each episode begins with recent paleontology and evolution research news.
Ask a Biologist Podcast
Listen to the biologists from the Ask A Biologist website on this popular biology podcast. Dr. Biology interviews researchers discovering new worlds and exploring biological frontiers across over 100 episodes, with more added regularly.
Raising Health
AI, science, and technology experts examine the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs building the future of health. Raising Health, an a16z Bio + Health podcast, explores biotechnology and healthcare innovation.
RadioBio
RadioBio is a podcast in which UC Merced biology graduate students converse with scientists about biological systems, spanning from molecules to ecosystems.
Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar
From investigations into cancer vaccines to understanding pain sensations, scientists are addressing some of the greatest challenges in human biology.
Short Stories of Bacteria
An engaging and educational series that transports audiences into the remarkable realm of bacteria, presenting astonishing and authentic accounts that stimulate curiosity and inspire awe.
This Week in Virology
This Week in Virology is a netcast focused on viruses – the type that cause illness.
Creature Feature
The podcast examines animal behavior from a creature’s perspective to discover parallels with human behavior. Comedians and science enthusiasts delve into the psychology of animals.
This Podcast Will Kill You
This podcast covers things that can kill you. Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke explore the biology, history, and epidemiology of diseases and medical mysteries. Since 2017, they’ve examined chronic and infectious diseases, medications, poisons, viruses, bacteria, and scientific discoveries, including plague, Zika, COVID-19, lupus, and endometriosis. Check out the best episodes of This Podcast Will Kill You.
The Higher Biology Podcast
The Higher Biology Podcast seeks to offer perspectives on the SQA Higher Biology Course through conversations with scientists, authors, filmmakers, broadcasters, journalists, politicians and contributions from classroom teachers.
Base Pairs
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Base Pairs podcast shares narratives that demonstrate the significance of genetic information throughout history and today. Recognized among the 2018 Webby Awards’ “five best podcasts in the world” in science and education categories.
Nature Podcast
The Nature Podcast delivers the finest scientific stories from around the globe each week. Coverage spans from astronomy to zoology, featuring the most compelling research from each Nature journal issue. The podcast presents the scientists behind the findings and offers thorough analysis from Nature’s journalists and editors.
Herpetological Highlights
Presenting recent scientific developments in the field of Herpetology, which is the branch of zoology focused on the study of reptiles and amphibians.
This Week in Evolution
This Week in Evolution is a podcast examining the biology underlying human function. Hosts Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello guide listeners through modern evolutionary science that has been transformed by genomics and molecular biology.
In Defense of Plants Podcast
Plants are essential. They are also remarkably fascinating. From the tiniest duckweed to the towering redwood, the plant kingdom is filled with marvels. A podcast celebrating all aspects of botany.
New Species
Only a fraction of Earth’s species are known to science, with more described daily. This podcast interviews the authors of new species discoveries to reveal how species are found and named, and why these findings matter to everyone. A journey to better understand planetary biodiversity.
BacterioFiles
A podcast for microbiology enthusiasts: delivering exciting updates about bacteria, archaea, and occasionally eukaryotic microbes and viruses.
Ologies with Alie Ward
Volcanoes. Trees. Intoxicated butterflies. Mars missions. Slug reproduction. Mortality. Beauty ideals. Stress relief. Beer science. Bee conflicts. Listeners gain scientific knowledge and captivating, unusual stories about what drives these professional -ologists’ passions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward poses unconventional questions to experts, and the responses may transform perspectives. Check out the best episodes of Ologies.
This Week in Parasitism
TWiP is a monthly netcast focused on eukaryotic parasites. Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier, science professors from Columbia University, examine parasites, their disease mechanisms, and prevention strategies.
Do you know of another Biology podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know
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