This podcast originally appeared on Pythagoras Trousers episode 101 on December 13th 2012.
This is an interview with Jenny Rhon about her research on Urinary Tract Infections.
The majority of people have had a UTI, and have been to their GP for antibiotics before getting on with their daily lives. But for older generations, UTI’s can be much more serious.
Earlier this year, the Duke of Canterbury, Prince Phillip was hospitalised several times for a urinary track infection that he just couldn’t shake. This brought into perspective that what people previously thought of as a fairly low key infection could actually cause a lot of harm.
Studying this disease has become quite difficult, but Dr Jenny Rhon, an expert in cell biology from UCL is working in an NHS clinic to find out how UTI’s work, and what we can to do help those who catch them.
Working in a clinic makes research a lot simpler, as the patients are always contributing to the work. Every time they visit the Dr, they leave a urine sample which Dr Rhon studies under the microscope.