Science through the looking glass

I’m going to chat about how we believe science at the smallest scales when we often need to use tools that extend our senses. When do we believe and what does seeing mean? I will talk about experiments with light in the world of atomic- and nano-science, and some of the strange and fantastical possibilities opening up.

Your DNA is a set of instructions. But which instructions are followed, and how accurately they’re followed, is what really determines your future. In this presentation we’ll explore proteins – the molecules your cells manufacture using those instructions. These tiny molecules can have a huge impact on your health, with conditions like Alzheimers, Parkinson’s disease and type II diabetes all linked to protein malfunctions. We’ll share some of the ongoing research that’s investigating how and why proteins malfunction, and what we can do to prevent it.

The discoveries of thousands of exoplanets in the past two decades have revealed an astonishing diversity in their physical characteristics. Exoplanets known today range from Jupiter-sized gas-giants to Earth-size rocky planets, some even in the habitable zones of their host stars. Recent advances in exoplanet observations and theoretical methods are now leading to unprecedented constraints on the physicochemical properties of exoplanetary atmospheres, interiors, and their formation conditions. I will present the latest developments and future prospects of this new era of exoplanetary science.

As part of the Creative Reactions project, John will be presenting his 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.