RTE One 8.30PM, Monday, November 24, 2014
Kathriona looks at the phenomenal developments in stem cell research in Galway and finds out how researchers can now re-programme adult stem cells backwards to enable them to act like embryonic stem cells, Aoibhinn is in Cork to find out about a new light and compact portable Xray system that is set to replace technology that has barely changed in the last hundred years, and Jonathan goes on a first date with a robot!
Episode Segments
Part 1 : Date with a Robot
How close are we to giving personalities to robots and computers? Jonathan meets Prof Nick Campbell whose research is aimed at improving the emotional side of human interaction with computers. After a ‘date’ with one of his Nick’s robots, Jonathan meets Dr Naomi Harte to take part in a fun language experiment that reveals it’s not always what you say that counts…
Part 2 : Portable Xrays
From dentistry to oncology, x –ray imaging is an indispensible tool; yet remarkably, until now, the vacuum tube x-ray technology used today has remained relatively unchanged for the past 100 years! Aoibhinn meets researchers at Tyndall National Institute in Cork who are part of a global network of scientists developing future X-ray technology to pioneer the world’s smallest portable X-ray system.
Part 3 : Stem Cells
Regenerative medicine is revolutionising healthcare and Irish scientists are playing a ground-breaking role, as for the first time ever, adult stem cells for human use are now being manufactured in Ireland. Kathriona visits the Irish Centre for Stem Cell Manufacture in Galway to find out how stem cells are grown and incredibly, to find out how researchers can now re-programme adult stem cells backwards to enable them to act like embryonic stem cells.
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