Bacteria and immunity: friend or foe?

Did you know that half of the cells in our bodies are not human, but belong to the vast collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live on and inside us? For example, the gut is home to trillions of bacteria that live off the food we eat. We are increasingly realising that they can affect our bodies in many ways. Most bizarrely, there is now good evidence that they can even affect brain function! Come and learn how gut microbes can affect our risk of diseases such as stroke and dementia and investigate whether we can use their abilities to promote brain health throughout life.

Growing an entire human within your own body – it almost sounds like science fiction! During pregnancy, mothers develop an organ called the placenta that grows alongside the baby, that works as a barrier between mother and child. What shall and shall not pass? Come and find out how the mother’s immune system is the key, and how being pregnant not only affects the child but also the mother’s heart!