Horseshoe crabs and vaccines

30 Animals That Made Us Smarter by BBC

Oct 17, 202116:24Technology

S2 Ep 17. A new synthetic test to create safe vaccines – based on the secrets of the horseshoe crab and its blue blood. Scientists hope this new technology could mean they no longer need to use the blood to test vaccines...

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter.

Insects and mobile phone

Jan 17, 2022 - 20:51

S2 Ep 30. Smart phones could become even smarter – thanks to ants, beetles, moths and spiders! A multi-an...

Butterfly and eye implant

Jan 10, 2022 - 17:09

S2 Ep 29. Not all butterflies are colourful. The transparent wings of the longtail glasswing butterfly ma...

Slug and surgical glue

Jan 3, 2022 - 17:35

S2 Ep 28. From goo to super glue! Slug slime may hold the key to mending wounds without stitches or stapl...

Dragonfly and sky spy

Dec 27, 2021 - 15:59

S2 Ep 27. The amazing agility of a dragonfly leads to the creation of a new spy drone. Their four wings c...

Kingfisher and soil erosion

Dec 20, 2021 - 14:09

S2 Ep 26. A very clever solution to a significant environmental problem based on a kingfisher’s eyelids....

Bees and fast deliveries

Dec 13, 2021 - 15:53

S2 Ep25. Sweet moves! Honey bees have developed an extraordinary form of communication known as the “wagg...

Jellyfish and underwater robot

Dec 6, 2021 - 14:35

S2 Ep 24. The world’s most efficient swimmer is the moon jellyfish! It’s the inspiration for a soft under...

Polar bear and insulation

Nov 29, 2021 - 20:27

S2 Ep 23. The science behind some fascinating fur could help humans keep warm in space. A polar bear’s fu...