The Biomen: Unreviewed

by Young No and Hamish Fernando

Dr No and Dr Fernando are biomedical engineering lecturers from the University of Sydney, with a strong passion for chatter. We aim to kindle interest and seed thoughts into our listeners about the machines we use to improve our health and well-being. We also aim to portray the amazing complexities of the world’s ‘ultimate machine’ – the human body. This is a fun and casual podcast, derived from our not-academically-peer-review ...   ...  Read more
Science
Technology
Listen on ...

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • X-rays and injuries

    X-rays and injuries

    S01 E03
    55:08

    Our third episode talks about one of the ubiquitous technologies in medicine - x-rays - and how we have been able to look into bony structures without opening people up. Hamish tells us his stories on how he has broken his fair share of bones and his experiences with x-ray imaging, whilst in the meantime trying to squeeze in a bit of science, technology, and history chat on how x-rays work. Keeping in theme, the conversation then explores synthetic biomaterials to repair broken bones and bone defects, and flipping the approach and talking about how we can use x-rays themselves to explore biomaterials!

  • Nanoparticles, Nanomachines, and Organelles

    Nanoparticles, Nanomachines, and Organelles

    S01 E02
    01:01:53

    Our second episode brings our first guest, (soon to be Dr) Pooria Lesani to weigh in on our conversation about nanoparticles and nanomachines and their potential to be used to treat and diagnose diseases like cancer. Our conversation then postulates whether synthetically developed nanomachines can replicate the amazing functions of our intricate organelles in our complex biomachinery, and the challenges that scientists and engineers need to overcome to achieve this. Perhaps such developments will replace damaged parts of our cells and allow us to live until we're 200 or 300 years old!

  • Prosthetic Hands and Artificial Sweeteners

    Prosthetic Hands and Artificial Sweeteners

    S01 E01
    59:37

    Our first episode begins with a very brief intro of the hosts, Dr Young No and Dr Hamish Fernando, and jump straight into limb prostheses and the wonder at complexity of the human hand. We then pivot to our experiences with artificial sweeteners, and discuss whether the sensation of taste and smell could be digitized for us to enjoy watching Masterchef on a whole new level.