Science Queeries

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 World AIDS Day, Dr Cat and Dr Jen Juno chat about how HIV infects CD4 T cells and can lead to AIDS, and how ART and PrEP have transformed lives, empowering HIV+ people to thrive, to build relationships, to have sex and families without fear, and to know they are not a risk to the people they love.

But there is still no cure for HIV. Dr Jen is an immunologist who explores the role of T cells in infectious diseases. She leads a research group at The University of Melbourne and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. She is studying the lesser-known, unconventional or “hipster” T cells that could bring us closer to a cure.

While there’s still a long way to go in terms of ensuring access to treatment for all who need it, and working towards a cure, there’s a lot to T cell-ebrate in terms of how far we’ve come.

Originally aired 2nd December, 2025.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:25 — 52.8MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

17 Mar 2026

Skull and Crossbones: Brains, Bones & Teeth

Biology, Dentistry, Health, Higher Education, Medicine, Science & Medicine

Let's get into the marrow of bone structure and its link to osteoporosis, learn about some un-nerve-ing mutations that can ...

5 Mar 2026

Toad-ally Thirsty: Going Out with a Bang

Animals, Biology, Reproduction, Science & Medicine

When frogs face a life-threatening disease, you'd expect them to hunker down and focus on survival. But nature sometimes has ...

24 Feb 2026

Good Moon Rising: The Science of Lunar New Year

Astronomy, History, Science & Medicine, Social Sciences, Society & Culture

Chúc mừng năm mới! 恭喜发财! 새해 복 많이 받으세요! Happy New Year! Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people ...