The Unit has a comprehensive public engagement programme. This includes:
- visits to local schools and other organisations
- mentoring of young scientists
- participation in the Cambridge Science Festival, where we exhibit every year
- our annual Open Day
- involvement in other events for public understanding of science
- engagement with artists and designers on the artistic interpretation of our science
For further information about the activities of the Unit, please contact our Communications Manager, Penny Peck ( ).
Schrödinger at 75—The Future of Biology (livestream)
In 1943, Erwin Schrödinger gave three public lectures entitled ‘What is Life?' at Trinity College Dublin.
Following their publication, these lectures had a tremendous influence on the development of molecular biology.
On 5 and 6 September 2018, the 75th anniversary of these lectures will be celebrated at Trinity College, Dublin with an unprecedented gathering of some of the most brilliant minds working in biology today, including six Nobel Laureates.
Mike Murphy is a member of the organising committee and the event will be livestreamed.
Big Bang Event at Newham College
On Thursday, 5 July 2018 members of the MBU visited Newham College, East London, to participate in the Big Bang Event.
The Big Bang events offer fun and free science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities for 10-18 year olds.
We took our fly exhibits and provided some hands-on microscopy and water-bath based experiments... and, in appreciation of the extraordinary heat, we were able to demonstrate changes in experimental design when, occasionally, things didn't go exactly to plan!
We had a great time.
Cambridge Science Festival 2018
On Sunday, 25 March 2018, the MBU participated in the Cambridge Science Festival, Cambridge Biomedical Campus event. Our theme was "Sensational fluorescent fruit flies".
Science Week at St Mary's Primary School, Hackney
On Friday, 26 January 2018, members of the MBU visited St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Hackney, to showcase the Unit's science using Lego models, games, and three different experiments using leaves and flies.
The event was run as a carousel during timed sessions, with John Walker introducing each session and engaging in well-informed discussions with our very young hosts.
MBU members visit St Ivo Science Conference
On Thursday, 7 December 2017 two members of the MRC MBU visited the St Ivo Science Conference, where students presented recent scientific research on topics that they had chosen themselves.
The event emulated a scientific conference.
Just as would be required at such an event, the students displayed their posters on poster boards and stood beside them to answer any questions posed by viewers. Two students gave an excellent joint presentation to the guests (parents, judges, peers and tutors).
LHON Conference 2017
The Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) Society held its annual conference on Saturday, 23 September 2017.
Clinicians, scientists and patients met at the Moller Centre and, through a series of presentations and discussion sessions, shared views and information on:
