How to build a body

For centuries people have been pondering and exploring how a single cell can divide, differentiate and eventually develop into a highly organised and fully functioning organism. During early development, when an egg or embryo is first being organised, many signals are expressed in a highly controlled manner. How does the egg break symmetry? How do groups of cells communicate? Why does the head form at the opposite pole as the tail? We will explore this, and many other fundamental questions in our discussion of how one cell becomes a trillion celled animal.

One of the best ways to understand how something works is to figure out how to build it. The same is true in biology, and when it comes to the human body, advances in the budding field of organoids are allowing scientists to build miniature organ-like tissues to study how our organs develop and mature.

Heart valves allow blood to flow out of the heart when it contracts, but prevent it flowing back in when the heart refills with blood. A million people in Britain suffer from heart valve disease and the only effective treatment for severe valve disease is replacement. Prosthetic heart valves are life-saving, but current models are imperfect. Could a polymeric prosthetic valve provide a better option in the future?

As part of the Creative Reactions project, these artists will be presenting their artwork inspired by the research of speakers in this talk series. The artwork will also be on display at our Creative Reactions Exhibition at St Barnabas Church, 24 - 25 May.