The Swiss Connection

4.3 (13)
NATURAL SCIENCES
UPDATED MONTHLY

Discover science and innovation in Switzerland with the Swiss Connection Podcast! From the tiniest particles to the vastness of space, satisfy your scientific curiosity and join our journalists while they talk to researchers working on projects ranging from rocket building and AI to medicine and climate solutions. This podcast is produced by SWI swissinfo.ch, a multilingual public service media company in Switzerland.

APR 1

Lost Cells, Ep.6: The Canaries

Send us a text This is the final episode of 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche, and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series has been uncovering the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In our series finale, the Lost Cells team digs deeper into the international standards of the cord blood banking industry. Antoine confronts the Swiss authorities for answers. Tatiana and Ratko vow to go public and warn parents all over the world with everything they’ve learned about cord blood banking. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

43 min
MAR 25

Lost Cells, Ep.5: In Limbo

Send us a text Over the next two episodes, we're proud to present 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche, and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series uncovers the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In episode five, families across Europe feel like they’re being held hostage. Who owns their cells? Do they have any rights? They fight back with the only thing they do have: their own tenacity and an international network of sleuths. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

28 min
MAR 18

Lost Cells, Ep.4: The Hunt

Send us a text Over the next three episodes, we're proud to present 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche, and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series uncovers the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In episode four, Luis Daniel, Tatiana and Ratko investigate in multiple European jurisdictions. The international band of families turns to Antoine Harari and Valeria Mazzucchi, two journalists based in Geneva, to give them the answers they can’t get from a company in turmoil. Luis Daniel visits Poland looking for assurances that his daughter's stem cells can help him cure his cancer before it's too late. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

29 min
MAR 11

Lost Cells, Ep.3: The Program

Send us a text Over the next four episodes, we're proud to present 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche, and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series uncovers the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In episode three, Tatiana and Ratko prepare to move their frozen stem cells but things don’t go as planned. Perhaps the company and its marketing aren’t everything they’ve been promised? Families around Europe begin asking questions about their cells, and where and how they’re being stored. Swiss authorities are alerted and arrange an inspection. What they discover sets off an international quest. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

17 min
MAR 4

Lost Cells, Ep.2: Seeds of Hope

Send us a text Over the next five episodes, we're proud to present 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche, and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series uncovers the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In episode two Tatiana and her husband Ratko choose cord blood banking in Switzerland for their daughter’s cells. They seek out a top US university conducting research in stem cell transplants and are offered a rare opportunity to be part of this leading-edge program. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

21 min
FEB 25

Lost Cells, Ep.1: The Promise

Send us a text Over the next six episodes, we're proud to present 'Lost Cells', a short investigative podcast series. The production is an original SWI swissinfo.ch trilingual podcast made in collaboration with Piz Gloria Productions, Futur Proche and Studio Ochenta. This gripping investigative podcast series uncovers the human stories behind the promises and failures of private stem cell banking in Switzerland. In episode one, Luis Daniel suffers from a rare type of blood cancer. Could promising stem cell research, and a baby be the chance he’s been looking for? Banking his baby’s cord blood offers an opportunity to secure a potential cure. He looks to a leading company based in Switzerland to help him protect himself and his family. SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

27 min
FEB 18

Lost Cells is out now!

Send us a text Please sign up for the latest episode SWI swissinfo.ch's new podcast tells the story of the families affected by a private stem cell banking scandal with Switzerland at its heart. Subscribe for free to our new podcast ‘Lost Cells’ wherever you get your podcasts. Episode one is released on February 18, 2025. Listen to this new podcast in English // French // Spanish SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

3 min
12/10/2024

Unveiling Ancient Life: Microorganisms in Melting Glaciers in Swiss Alps

Send us a text This episode takes listeners to the Rhone glacier in the Alps, which is rapidly melting and releasing ancient microorganisms. These microorganisms, which have been trapped in the ice for thousands of years, are now being studied by scientists from the Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape (WSL). Journalists Céline Stegmüller and Luigi Jorio join the researchers on the glacier to observe their methods of collecting and analyzing these microorganisms. The team, led by Beat Frey, uses custom-made equipment to filter meltwater and capture bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The goal is to understand the diversity and potential applications of these microorganisms, which could include producing antibiotics or degrading plastics. Read more about this story or other science stories from Switzerland please visit www.swissinfo.ch/science. Journalists: Luigi Jorio & Céline Stegmüller Host: Jo Fahy Audio editor: Michele Andina Distribution and Marketing: Xin Zhang SWI swissinfo.ch is a public service media company based in Bern, Switzerland.

16 min

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4.3

out of 5

13 Ratings

Virtual travel to Switzerland

03/25/2021

DaliaWithNoH

Produced by journalists and well researched and the story is presented well. It feels like a virtual trip to Switzerland without having to travel. The host is excellent.
Lack Of Due Diligence

02/09/2022

Interested Listener 702

Listened to the episode on immigrants and aid workers. A large part of the episodes involves the people condemning the harsh rhetoric around immigrants, but the sound clip they use is out of context. They claim President Trump called immigrants “animals”. If you listen to the full clip you will hear he is talking about MS13 gang members who are known for their brutality.

Discover science and innovation in Switzerland with the Swiss Connection Podcast! From the tiniest particles to the vastness of space, satisfy your scientific curiosity and join our journalists while they talk to researchers working on projects ranging from rocket building and AI to medicine and climate solutions. This podcast is produced by SWI swissinfo.ch, a multilingual public service media company in Switzerland.