Ever wondered whether human “superpowers” actually exist? In this session, we’ll explore the real genetic mutations that give some people extraordinary abilities - from extreme pain resistance to incredible endurance and even enhanced oxygen use at high altitude. Through the lens of Medical Sciences and Cellular Pathology, we’ll uncover how tiny changes in DNA can dramatically alter how cells function, how these rare traits arise, and what they teach us about health, disease, and human evolution. We’ll also look at how modern genetic technologies, such as CRISPR, might one day allow us to engineer traits that currently only appear by chance.
Speaker:
Dr Bethan Davies-Jones is a Biomedical Scientist and lecturer at the North Wales Medical School at Bangor University. Before moving into university teaching, she worked in NHS diagnostic laboratories. She now teaches and supports students studying Medical and Biomedical Sciences, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for careers in healthcare and science.