Podcast•Mar 6, 2026•22 min
Can White Skin Transplanted to a Black Person Change Colour?
In this episode of Kate Talk, Dr. Chris Smith, a virologist and science communicator, answers listener questions ranging from asteroid deflection (NASA's DART mission) to why we can't tickle ourselves, the impact of lung capacity on the heart, and the biology of skin transplants. He explains that skin colour is determined by the activity of donor melanocytes, so a full‑thickness skin graft retains the donor's pigmentation regardless of the recipient’s race. He also discusses the brain region that filters self‑generated sensations, the mechanics of breathing on cardiac output, and the potential of ancient DNA research.
