Our understanding of the world around us is based on patterns - without them we would have to learn afresh every time we interacted with anything and there could be no science. A number of key patterns have had pivotal roles in unlocking the secrets of existence. In this talk, Brian Clegg will explore five of these essentials: the cosmic microwave background, Feynman diagrams, the periodic table, number lines and the DNA double helix. From the origins of the universe to the mysteries of quantum physics, from the structure behind every chemical reaction to the foundations of mathematics and the practicalities of life, these patterns have shaped reality. | 
