Royal Institution Christmas Lectures with Jonathan Van-Tam

Sign language

BBC Four HD

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Children's: Factual

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, inspiring children and adults alike since 1825.

Great scientists, even greater questions. Mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, inspiring children and adults alike since 1825.

2021

BBC Four

Jonathan Van-Tam

Felicity Chapple

Henry Fraser

David Dugan

Windfall Films Ltd

David Coleman

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures: 2021: Fighting Back

Fighting Back

BBC Four - Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, 2021, Fighting Back

Jonathan Van-Tam unlocks the science of vaccines, variants and viral genetic codes.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam is joined by leading experts to unlock the science of vaccines, variants and viral genetic codes.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam explores the inner workings of vaccines to reveal how these medical marvels can help win the war on viruses and potentially fight diseases such as cancer. Joined by vaccine scientist Professor Teresa Lambe and microbiologist Professor Sharon Peacock, the team peel away the scabs of smallpox and inject the puss of a milkmaid to uncover the key milestones that led to vaccines over 200 years ago. Science has not stopped since. The Covid-19 vaccines are a triumph, but can the audience take them a step further? Can they use a vaccine to blow up cancer cells on the lecture theatre floor?

Viruses have a trick up their sleeve. They can mutate. A pack of dastardly dogs help unlock the secrets of variants, from Alpha to Omicron, but scientists are one step ahead. The pandemic has pushed the speed and scale of genetic sequencing technology to unprecedented levels and we can crack the virus’s genetic code to watch it evolve in near-real time. It’s a crucial tool to stay on top of Covid-19. Combined with solutions from nature, from fruit bats to furry llamas, science may never be the same again.

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures: 2021

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Factual

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam and leading experts explore the microworld of viruses.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam is joined by leading experts to explore the microworld of viruses.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

2021

Fighting Back

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four