Professor Dame Kay Davies
Kirsty Young's castaway is geneticist Professor Dame Kay Davies.
Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the scientist Professor Kay Davies. She has dedicated much of her life to finding a cure for the severest form of muscular dystrophy. Before she was 40, she had helped to develop the antenatal test which is now used around the world, then she isolated the gene sequence which could be instrumental in treating the condition. After years spent working on that, human trials for a possible treatment are about to begin.
It's quite something for a woman who doesn't have an O-level in biology. Although, even as a child she did possess that critical quality crucial to scientific pioneers: "I loved solving problems," she says, "I was very tenacious and would sit in my room until I had finished the problem. I am a sticker."
[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: Piano Sonata in B Flat by Franz Schubert
Book: Untold Stories by Alan Bennett
Luxury: A piano.
Last on
Music Played
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Castaway's Favourite
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Franz Schubert
Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960
Soloist: Alfred Brendel
- Schubert: Sonata D.960.
- Philips.
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Aled Jones
Yr Ehedydd (The Skylark)
- Ave Maria.
- Sain.
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The Beatles
Let It Be
- Let It Be.
- Parlophone.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Dove sono (from The Marriage of Figaro)
Soloist: Soile Isokoski, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Peter Schreier, Marita Viitasalo
- Mozart Arias: Soile Isokoski.
- Ondine.
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The Immposters
Everybody Be There
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Eric Clapton
Tears in Heaven
- Eric Clapton Unplugged.
- Duck.
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10cc
The Wall Street Shuffle
- 10CC’s Greatest Hits 1972-1978.
- Mercury.
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Giuseppe Verdi
La donna Γ¨ mobile (from Rigoletto)
Soloist: Luciano Pavarotti
- The Ultimate Collection.
- Decca.
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Book Choice
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Untold Stories - Alan Bennett
Luxury Choice
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A piano
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Kirsty Young |
| Interviewed Guest | Kay Davies |
Broadcasts
- Sun 15 Feb 2009 11:15Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 20 Feb 2009 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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