Talking biology: From A(nimal research) to Z(oology)

Named after Mellona, the Roman goddess of bees and honey, the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) is best known for its appetite for honeycomb and beeswax. Once seen primarily as a pest – damaging beehives in the wild and even digesting plastic in the lab – find out how this unassuming moth is replacing mice to study infection and the immune system.

Fish breathe water instead of air, but they get a lot more than oxygen through their gills. A small amount of extra salt can make some fish grow four times faster, while high carbon dioxide affects their sense of smell, behaviour and immune responses. Learn more about what’s in water, why it matters, and how the ideal mix of molecules improves animal welfare and the reproducibility of research involving fish.