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The Invisible Enemy

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam is joined by leading experts to explore viruses, the immune system and modern testing technology.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam dives into the microworld of viruses, revealing how these invisible invaders can infect our bodies and how a revolution in testing may transform medicine forever. With the help of immunologist Professor Katie Ewer and virologist Professor Ravi Gupta, this action-packed lecture reveals the inner workings of the virus by blowing it up and inviting the audience to take part in a heist mission. Can they hijack our cell machinery to replicate? Up against the virus is our immune system, designed to fight back. We also dive into a nose to uncover the wonders of snot and whittle down the winner of a game of antibody bingo to crack how our immune system can defeat this invisible enemy.

One of the most impressive scientific advances of the past two years has been the development of new testing techniques in our battle against Covid-19. We peel back the mysteries of PCR, hack into a super-sized lateral flow and show how modern diagnostic technology could shape the future of medicine.

The Christmas Lectures are the most prestigious event in the Royal Institution鈥檚 calendar, dating from 1825 when Michael Faraday founded the series. They are the world鈥檚 longest-running science television series and always promise to inspire and amaze each year through explosive demonstrations and interactive experiments with a live theatre audience.

59 minutes

Last on

Wed 29 Dec 2021 02:20

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jonathan Van-Tam
Production Manager Felicity Chapple
Series Producer Henry Fraser
Executive Producer David Dugan
Production Company Windfall Films Ltd
Director David Coleman

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