07 November 2011 (Preview)

Science Week 2011

Between our recent consumption of The X Factor, The Apprentice, tweeting about Selena Gomez's various outfit changes at the EMA's, not to mention speculating about whether her Bieber BF has baby-daddied some skanky hoe, it's safe to say many of our brains have turned to mush. I know mine has. So, what better way to banish this ailment than to enrich our minds with something worth listening to - Science Week 2011. Now I wasn't much of a scientist back in my school days, come to think of it the only thing I remember is that little mantra about energy - I was good with poems you see - but some of these talks really do seem interesting. Kicking off on the 13th of November there's hundreds of ways in which you can get involed throughout the country, 450 events nationwide in fact. Whether you're looking for something to take your teens along to (check out www.scienceweek.ie for more details) or you wouldn't mind learning something new yourself, here be two talks that were of particular interest to the folk here in the towers of entertainment.ie.

We don't know about you, but after watching Contagion, we'll be hauling ass to this one!

Speaker: Luke O'Neill

Topic: How science is explaining the basis for inflammatory diseases

Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, South Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1

Date: Wednesday 16th November

Time: 6:30pm

"If we understand the immune system we will find cures for; cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, asthma, tuberculosis. All the major diseases that afflict humanity will be cured through the immune system"

Professor Luke O’Neill, a native of Dublin and based in Trinity College is a renowned international authority in the field of immunology. His work has made a profound contribution to the global exploration of how diseases can be tackled and prevented and is a pillar of Ireland’s modern research community. In 2009, Professor O’Neill won the prestigious Boyle Award for his ground breaking research into the molecular understanding of innate immunity and inflammatory diseases.

O'Neill and his research team discovered a human protein called MAL in white blood cells (lymphocytes) that acts as a master switch or an alarm system, turning on the immune response to harmful bacteria which can pose a huge threat to the body – a process which for so many years was misunderstood. He and his team also carried out research into the pox viruses (e.g. small pox, cow pox) which was based around the virus’ many ways of disabling our immune system and diminishing the body's defences. These discoveries could lead to better treatment and cures for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS and malaria.

During Science Week 2011, The Chemistry of Life, Professor O'Neill is going to look how science is explaining the basis for inflammatory diseases and will explore some of the major advances that have been made towards cures in Ireland in this area to date.

And as for this one? Well, who wouldn't fancy hearing stories from a real live astronaut. This dude was actually in space. SPACE!

Speaker: Christer Fuglesang

Topic: EXPOSURE experiments on ISS - General Public

Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, South Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1

Date: Thursday 17th November 2011

Time: 6:30pm

 Dr. Christer Fuglesang is a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut who became the first Swede in space when he launched aboard the STS-116 Space Shuttle mission on 10th December 2006. Fuglesang was a Fellow at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, and did research in particle physics in Stockholm before being selected to join the European Astronaut Corps in1992. He has participated in two Space Shuttle missions and five spacewalks, and is the first person outside of the United States or Russian space programs to participate in more than three spacewalks. Since May 2010, Fuglesang heads up the Science and Application Division within the Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operation at ESTEC in Noordwijk in the Netherlands.

During Science Week 2011, The Chemistry of Life, Fuglesang will present ESA's EXPOSURE experiments on the International Space Station which shows that simple life forms can survive long time in open space. He will also discuss ESA biological experiments on cellular levels on ISS.

These events are free of charge, all you gotta do is send your name to lectures@scienceweek.ie to reserve a seat.

 Here's what those cheeky Rubberbandits have to say about Chemistry!

 

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