Unlocking the Body’s Hidden Secrets

Large population cohorts contain genetic and healthcare information from hundreds of thousands of people. But how can they help us understand rare diseases? While research has traditionally focused on people affected with the condition, this is missing out people who don’t show symptoms of the disease but still have the genetic change.

As sequencing the entire genome becomes more common in routine healthcare, this talk will explore how biobanks allow scientists to better understand which changes cause disease and how to interpret those found in apparently healthy people.

Your body might be trading health for a longer life – right now.

Oestrogen is sold as both a 'miracle cure' for ageing, and a 'cancer risk'. But the real story is far more complicated.

In this talk, we go beyond the hormone headlines and into the genetics. Using the latest research, we uncover a hidden biological trade-off: the same mechanisms that protect your heart and bones may also shape your risk later in life.

Is there a "Goldilocks" zone for our reproductive lifespan?
Or are we all navigating a delicate balance between living longer and living well?

Bones aren’t just scaffolding; they are living tissue that is constantly changing. Most of us reach peak bone strength earlier than we think, and from then on it is a slow decline. So how do we stack the odds in our favour? The answer is simple: push the peak and slow the slope. This talk explores how bones grow, age, and adapt, and what you can do at any stage of life to keep them strong. Expect science, a few myths busted, and practical tips you can actually use.