Science Queeries

20 Oct 2025

First Rule of Bite Club: Buzz Off Malaria

Health, Immunology, Medicine, Microbiology, Science & Medicine

How does the immune system bite back against malaria?

Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The parasites travel to the liver and then infect red blood cells, leading to symptoms.
Malaria has been bugging humanity for centuries. It’s hard to control the disease because the parasites can be resistant to drugs and current vaccines only offer partial protection.

But thanks to immunologists like Dr Kristina Burrack, we have a fighting chance!

Dr Kristina is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute. Dr Cat chats to her about how her work and other vaccination approaches from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity could give us a real shot at stopping malaria.

Originally aired 14th October, 2025.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:53 — 64.4MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

5 Dec 2025

T-cell-ebrating Progress: HIV, Immunity & Hope

Biology, Health, Immunology, Medicine, Science & Medicine

HIV targets the very immune cells meant to protect us. But science – and community – keep fighting back. This ...

29 Nov 2025

Stuffed With Science

Biology, Science & Medicine

Before you check out at the Black Friday sales… check this Science Queeries episode out. Why do we fall into a ...

21 Nov 2025

Cloudy With a Chance of Bias

Science & Medicine, Society & Culture, Technology

Ever wondered how much of you is floating around in the cloud? We dive into the world of big data: ...