In this insightful episode, host Paul Adepoju, PhD sits down with Professor Patrick Arbuthnot, a leading expert in gene therapy and antiviral research, to explore the transformative potential of gene therapy in addressing Africa's viral health challenges. Patrick shares his fascinating journey from working in Paris to setting up the Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Lab in South Africa, and discusses how gene therapy could revolutionize treatments for hepatitis B, HIV, and other viral diseases across the continent.

Together, they delve into the technological advancements that have made antiviral gene therapy a tangible solution, and why Africa needs to take the lead in developing these innovations. They also tackle some of the critical challenges, including the high costs and public skepticism surrounding gene therapy, and discuss the growing global support for this research.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of healthcare in Africa and how gene therapy is poised to change the game.

In this episode of Paul Talks Science, host Paul Adepoju, a seasoned science journalist, sits down with Professor Gozde Ozakinci, Professor and Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Stirling, UK. Together, they dive into the psychological impact of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, exploring the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by cancer patients and survivors.

Professor Ozakinci shares her extensive research on anxiety, depression, and the fear of cancer recurrence, offering valuable insights into how emotional well-being plays a critical role in cancer recovery. From psycho-oncology to holistic approaches in patient care, this conversation sheds light on the importance of addressing mental health alongside physical health in cancer treatment.

Tune in to discover how advancements in psychology are transforming cancer care and why a holistic approach to patient support is essential for long-term recovery.

Read a story written by Paul, on the research that sparked the conversation here.

Africa's public health landscape is again at the centre of global health attention with a series of actions now in play to stem the spread of mpox. This week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will officially declare mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. This is expected to be historic since this is the first time that the centre would be making such a declaration. Similarly, a closed virtual meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations 2005 regarding the upsurge of mpox has been set for Wednesday, 14 August 2024, starting the official process that could lead to declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern by the director general of the WHO. In this episode, I am joined by Aggrey Aluso who is Pandemic Action Network’s Director for the Africa region. The conversation focused on Africa's rapidly evolving public health landscape, particularly in relation to the MPOX outbreak. We discussed the challenges Africa faces in responding to infectious disease outbreaks and the need for increased capacity and resources, highlighting the importance of early action and collaboration, both within Africa and globally, to contain outbreaks. The conversation also touched on the need to prioritize health in national budgets and the role of civil society in holding governments accountable. My name is Paul Adepoju, and I welcome you to this episode.