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What if a glow from the ocean could help us see inside living cells and even detect diseases like cancer?
This event explores the power of light in modern biology and medicine. From the discovery of naturally glowing proteins to fluorescence for detecting cancer, these talks reveal how scientists are transforming our understanding of life at the microscopic level.
This event explores the power of light in modern biology and medicine. From the discovery of naturally glowing proteins to fluorescence for detecting cancer, these talks reveal how scientists are transforming our understanding of life at the microscopic level.
Stolen from the sea: how cells learned to glow
Petra Merzan
(PhD Student)
What if the secret to bringing life to light came from the ocean?
We’ll explore one of the greatest “glow-ups” in science: fluorescent proteins.
Our story begins in the ocean, with a jellyfish drifting through the Pacific, producing a soft green glow that would change science forever.
Today, fluorescent proteins are essential tools across science. Researchers use them to study everything from how brain cells communicate, to how plants grow, and how viruses spread. We’ll uncover where these glowing proteins come from, how they work, and why they’ve become such a powerful part of research.
We’ll explore one of the greatest “glow-ups” in science: fluorescent proteins.
Our story begins in the ocean, with a jellyfish drifting through the Pacific, producing a soft green glow that would change science forever.
Today, fluorescent proteins are essential tools across science. Researchers use them to study everything from how brain cells communicate, to how plants grow, and how viruses spread. We’ll uncover where these glowing proteins come from, how they work, and why they’ve become such a powerful part of research.
Lights, Cancer, Detection!
Jonathan David
(PhD Student)
What if detecting cancer was as simple as visiting your GP? We just might be able to with the research that we are embarking on which uses fluorescence, the glow emitted from certain molecules. We hope to make a difference by making cancer detection accessible to everyone irrespective of your economic background because catching cancer early can save lives. Want to know how a glow could change everything? Please come by for the talk to find out more!
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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