MRC at National Science Week 2006
National Science Week is part of a global and national celebration to increase public awareness of science. Each year, the Medical Research Council sponsors several events including interactive workshops, open days and talks.
To find out about other Science Week events that took place throughout the UK, visit The European Dana Alliance for the Brain and the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
- ‘Scientists on the air’
- Open day for schools at the MRC Neuropharmacology Unit
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM)
- Bringing Colour to Life: schools workshops
- Energy Expenditure event
- Can you eat yourself fit? A Q &A event organised by the MRC Human Nutrition Unit
- Making a World of Difference
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit afternoon seminars
‘Scientists on the air’
13-17 March
Several MRC scientists from Units at Oxford and Harwell were interviewed by BBC radio Oxford’s afternoon presenter Bill Heine about their work.
Open day for schools at the MRC Neuropharmacology Unit
16 March
Peter Somogyi and his team welcomed students from local Oxford schools to come and learn more about the ‘Science of the ‘Brain. They took part in 2-hour tours around the labs and saw at first hand how scientists, technicians and students work.
For more information visit the unit’s website
Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM)
16 March
Scientists from all groups working at WIMM (including the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit and MRC Human Immunology Unit) came together to share their research through a series of presentations and poster discussions.
For more information visit the institute’s website.
Bringing Colour to Life: schools workshops
17 March, Henry Box School
Scientist/Artist, Dr Lizzie Burns recently ran a series of workshops which were held at Reading’s Museum of Rural England throughout science week.
Local MRC scientists were asked to submit beautiful microscope images to inspire the workshops for school pupils, families and adults and the theme of ‘Bringing Colour to Life’ took participants on a microscopic journey through the body; showing them colourful molecular and cellular images and encouraging them to create their own artworks inspired by what they’d seen.
She was supported at the workshops by several MRC scientists from the Mammalian Genetics Unit (MGU) at Harwell, including Paul Denny, group leader of Infection Genetics and Charlotte Dean, programme leader in Developmental Genetics. The artwork created during the week was amazing and workshops provided the opportunity for local MRC scientists to interact with a lay audience.
Energy Expenditure event
10/18 March, Arts School, Large Exam Hall, University New Museums Site
Scientists from the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit and MRC Biostatistics Unit combined to demonstrate the magic of metabolism and how our scientific research is unravelling the mysteries of the human body to improve human health.
Read more about this event on the Cambridge Science website
Can you eat yourself fit? A Q &A event organised by the MRC Human Nutrition Unit
18 March, Michael House Café, St Michael’s Church, Cambridge
A panel of leading nutrition scientists answered questions from the public and explained the benefits of diet change.
Read more about this event on the Human Nutrition Unit website
Making a World of Difference
25 March, Hutchison MRC Research Centre / Cancer Cell Unit
How can one disease- cancer- affect so many people globally? Why do people indifferent parts of the world get certain cancers more frequently than others? How can your lifestyle influence your risk of developing cancer? Scientists from the MRC Cancer Cell Unit were joined by members of the public for hands-on activities and displays exploring these questions.
Read more about this event on the Hutchison MRC Research Centre website
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit afternoon seminars
25 March
A showcase of the work of the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, focusing on memory and recognition
Read more about this event on the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit website