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Other London events

Cell decisions: divide, reset or zombie?

Please note this event takes place on the first floor and has no step-free access.
Past event - 2019
22 May Doors 7pm
Event 7.30-9.45pm
The Colonel Fawcett, 1 Randolph Street, Camden,
London NW1 0SS
Sold Out!
To understand how cells make decisions, scientists can follow and direct a cell fate in the dish. Discover the techniques Crick scientists are using to learn about cell decisions: from stem cells to zombie worms.  

The power of stem cells

Jasmine Harley (PhD student)
In 2006 Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka discovered that skin cells could be reprogrammed into ‘induced’ pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, a cell type capable of becoming any cell in the body. This incredible breakthrough has given researchers opportunities to study human cells in ways that were previously unimaginable. Join neuroscientist Jasmine to find out how human nerve cells grown in a dish are revealing new insights into the workings of the brain.

How to make a zombie worm

Joana Pinto (Postdoc)
Ravi Desai (Head of the Making Lab)
What happens if you place worm embryos in an oxygen-poor environment? ZOMBIE WORMS! They stop their development and enter into a state of stasis, neither alive nor dead (do not try this at home!). When oxygen re-enters the environment, the embryos revive and continue to develop normally. Join Ravi and Joana to hear how these extraordinary worms are helping us understand more about the behaviour of cells under stress.

Zoom in on a cell’s decisions

Silvia Santos (Group Leader)
Life begins when one cell divides into two. This one cell divides and produces ‘daughter’ cells that go on to have different fates ultimately giving rise to a whole human being during development. How do cells make these decisions on their fate? Join Silvia to find out how she can zoom in on a cell’s world and explore in real-time how these early cellular decisions happen.
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