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Dr Kathryn Robson from the MRC Weatherall Instititute of Molecular Medicine explains how a genetic mutation leads to haemetochromatosis, where people have too much iron.

Red blood cells

Red blood cells. Image credit: Annie Cavanagh

Dr Robson's contribution appears as part of the BBC radio 4 'In their element'  radio series, exploring key elements from the periodic table.

Dr Robson’s interview features in the episode on iron, and her explanation of haemachromatosis is particularly personal to presenter Dr Andrew Pontzen: this health conditions runs in his family, and his mother is affected by it.

Find out more (Radcliffe Department of Medicine website)