Some biological molecules can be left handed or right handed - the sugars that are found in nucleic acids are right handed, whereas 19 of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins are left handed. And intriguingly samples of amino acids found on meteorites such as those brought back from the OSIRIX-REx missing from Bennu were present in mixtures containing roughly equal amounts of the left and right handed versions. So why does biology on our planet favour left handed amino acids?

A team of researchers led by Professor Tom Richard at the University of Oxford have shown that lipid membranes that surround and protect our cells and importantly control which types of molecules can get in and out are more leaky to left hand amino acids.

This may suggest why left handed amino acids are the ones from which our proteins are constructed.

A link to Toms Paper:
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003155

Our sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GraceandGarbo
'At Grace and Garbo we are passionate about vintage knitwear. From classic fair isle, to one-of-a-kind artisan hand knits and vibrant mohair. Visit our Etsy store, Grace and Garbo, for our unique collection of vintage knitwear'

If you are a business and would like to take advantage and leverage the power of the fast growing podcast ad stream market, and in particular sponsoring 'Science Of The Times', please drop us a line - streamingspirespodcasts@gmail.com
Advertising via podcasts is a cost efficient way of reaching a wider market.

Migration is in the news continuously and everyone has an opinion. What does the science of migration reveal? Tim and Syma talk to Ian Goldin, an expert on the pros and cons of migration and migrants.

Ian's book: http://oldstreetpublishing.co.uk/100/the-shortest-history-of-migration

Do you have any questions you would like to ask Tim and Syma? Drop us a line:
scienceofthetimespodcast@gmail.com

Our first sponsor on this episode is PinGui-Bags! Thank you.
https://www.pingui-bags.com/
Starting in the UK in Doncaster Market in 2005, PinGui has a good and well established history of selling bags and fashion accessories. One of the more colourful stall holders in Doncaster and later York, PinGui moved to Oxfords famous covered market in 2007.

Whilst we still sell good and popular lines of fashion and everyday bags and fashion accessories, we have expanded our ranges to include travel bags and luggage, silver jewellery and gifts. All our items are ethically sourced and of course sustainable. Everyone, wherever and whoever is always welcome here. PinGui supplies worldwide.

Our second sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GraceandGarbo
'At Grace and Garbo we are passionate about vintage knitwear. From classic fair isle, to one-of-a-kind artisan hand knits and vibrant mohair. Visit our Etsy store, Grace and Garbo, for our unique collection of vintage knitwear'

If you are a business and would like to take advantage and leverage the power of the fast growing podcast ad stream market, and in particular sponsoring 'Science Of The Times', please drop us a line - streamingspirespodcasts@gmail.com
Advertising via podcasts is a cost efficient way of reaching a wider market.

This week Tim and Syma talk to Max Telford, author of The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle published by John Murray. They explore LUCA, penis worms, and other oddball species.

Max's book 'The Tree Of Life' can be found here:
https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/max-telford/the-tree-of-life/9781399806374/

Do you have any questions you would like to ask Tim and Syma? Drop us a line:
scienceofthetimespodcast@gmail.com

Our first sponsor on this episode is PinGui-Bags! Thank you.
https://www.pingui-bags.com/
Starting in the UK in Doncaster Market in 2005, PinGui has a good and well established history of selling bags and fashion accessories. One of the more colourful stall holders in Doncaster and later York, PinGui moved to Oxfords famous covered market in 2007.

Whilst we still sell good and popular lines of fashion and everyday bags and fashion accessories, we have expanded our ranges to include travel bags and luggage, silver jewellery and gifts. All our items are ethically sourced and of course sustainable. Everyone, wherever and whoever is always welcome here. PinGui supplies worldwide.

Our second sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GraceandGarbo
'At Grace and Garbo we are passionate about vintage knitwear. From classic fair isle, to one-of-a-kind artisan hand knits and vibrant mohair. Visit our Etsy store, Grace and Garbo, for our unique collection of vintage knitwear'

If you are a business and would like to take advantage and leverage the power of the fast growing podcast ad stream market, and in particular sponsoring 'Science Of The Times', please drop us a line - streamingspirespodcasts@gmail.com
Advertising via podcasts is a cost efficient way of reaching a wider market.