Viruses, bacteria, parasites - these are main types of organisms causing different infectious diseases. What do we know about their life and metabolism? How do new technologies help us in the fight? Will we ever win in this millennia-lasting war?
Bloody mozzies! Can a beer or gin & tonic save us from malaria?
Manuel Hetzel, Professor of epidemiology at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)
As you are sipping on your cold drink watching the sun set over the tropical island paradise, the mosquito-ladies behind you may just be getting ready to sip on your sweet blood. If you are unlucky, their bite may come with an unwelcome present: a malaria infection. But what does your sun-downer have to do with malaria? Can a drink prevent anyone from getting infected? Or are there bigger systemic problems that cause the 600’000 malaria deaths every year? We will explore these questions and zoom into the science we conduct at Swiss TPH to support the global fight against malaria.
Under the Microscope: Assembly and Function of a Bacterial Nano-Speargun
Marek Basler, Associate Professor of Infection Biology at Biozentrum, University of Basel
Bacteria might be tiny, but they wage fierce battles! I’ll introduce you to the Type VI secretion system, a powerful nanomachine used by some bacteria to inject toxins into competing bacteria or even human cells. Imagine a microscopic speargun! I'll share stunning videos of this weapon assembling and firing in real-time, revealing its devastating effects on target cells. You'll also witness how some disease-causing bacteria hijack this speargun to spread within a tissue, offering a unique glimpse into the hidden world of bacterial competition.
Phage Power Hour: More Than Fighting Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Aisylu Shaidullina (PhD Student at Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich)
Did you know that every living organism on earth is susceptible to an infectious disease? Even the dreaded bacteria that cause human health problems can be infected and destroyed by viruses called phages. So, is this a silver bullet to kill all the antibiotic resistant bacteria then?! Let’s discuss the rise and fall of phage research, what we have learnt in over a hundred years of investigating interactions between phages and bacteria, how phages have influenced the development of molecular biology, and why phage therapy is more complicated than mixing a phage cocktail.
Pint of Science Festival
Pint of Science brings some of the most brilliant scientists to your local pub to share their latest research and findings with you. You don't need any prior knowledge, and this is your chance to meet the people responsible for the future of science (and have a pint with them). The festival takes place annually over three days in the month of May simultaneously in over 400 cities across the world. Pint of Science Switzerland is a not-for-profit association run by volunteers scientists and science enthusiasts.
The University of Basel calendar lists events offered by the University of Basel, its numerous units, and accredited student organizations and associated institutions. They address a larger audience, are public and open to all. As a rule, admission is free.
You can also have your event listed in the Calendar of Events, provided it meets the above criteria. To do so, send the title, short text, time, place, organizer, link to website and, if available, photo (JPG) and program flyer (PDF) to E-Mail: agenda@unibas.ch
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