King’s at the London Science Festival

King’s is hosting a range of events this month as part of the first ever London Science Festival.

From 21-25 October, the College will host debates, demonstrations and presentations on a diverse range of topics, ranging from how to treat a heart attack to the world of nanomaterials. With academics from Biomedical Sciences, Medicine and the Institute of Making among those presenting, all events are open to the public.

Julie Keeble, from the School of Biomedical Sciences at King’s, who is on the committee for the London Science Festival, said: ‘The London Science Festival is a really exciting initiative for King’s to be involved in. It offers the public the chance to engage with and explore the world of science through exhibitions, talks and discussions with some of the country’s leading experts.

‘We’re especially pleased that Ray Gosling, who worked so closely on the discovery of DNA at King’s in the 1950’s, has recorded a special video to introduce the debate on the past, present and future of DNA research.’

The London Science Festival, which is supported by a number of universities and public organisations, will include lectures, film screenings, debates and stand-up comedy among the events on offer across the capital.

All of the events taking place at King’s are free to attend, but registration is required.

DNA and Evolution
Friday 21 October, 14:00 - 18:00
Museum of Life Sciences, Guy’s Campus

Afternoon tea is being served at the Museum of Life Sciences, which comprises fascinating collections of plant and animal material that illustrate biological diversity and evolution. An exhibition of specimens and material that show how DNA has contributed to evolution will be on display.

There are four sessions starting at 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00, with tea served during the final two sessions. The event is suitable for all ages.

Hashtag: #DNAEVOLUTION

Heart Attack!
Friday 21 October, 14:30 - 15:30
Harris Lecture Theatre, Hodgkin Building, Guy’s Campus

Mark Christie, from the Centre for Integrative Biomedicine, and Professor Emma Baker, Head of the Centre for Clinical Pharmacology at St George’s, University of London, discuss the treatment of cardiac issues.

The event, which is organised by the British Pharmacological Society, will explore how chewing an aspirin may significantly increase your risk of surviving a heart attack, and how doctors know which medicines to prescribe for long-term recovery.

Hashtag: #HEARTATTACK

DNA: Then, Tomorrow and Now
Friday 21 October, 18:30 - 20:40
Lecture Theatre 1, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus

A discussion on how DNA research has been transformed since the discovery of its structure by Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, Francis Crick and James Watson. The talk will be introduced by a video address (below) from Ray Gosling, who worked with Franklin and Wilkins at King’s during the time of their momentous discovery.

Francis Williams, from the Division of Genetics & Molecular Medicine; Fiona Wardle, from the Randall Division; and Denise Sundercombe-Court, from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, will then reveal various ways in which DNA is being investigated today, and where such research is heading in the future.

Hashtag: #KCLDNA

All Things Bright and Small
Monday 24 October, 19:00 - 22:00
Lecture Theatre 1, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus

Zoe Laughlin, artist, materials scientist and Creative Director of the Institute of Making will explore the realm of the microscopic and nanoscale in a performance guiding the audience through the world of materials down to ever smaller dimensions.

A drinks reception and exhibition of images from the micro and nanoworld will follow the talk, with the scientists who created each image on hand to explain what it shows and how it was made.

Hashtag: #BRIGHTSMALL

Science Question Time: The Future of Drugs
Tuesday 25 October, 18:30 - 22:00
Lecture Theatre 1, New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus

Professor Clive Page, from the Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology, will chair a panel discussion on the future of drugs. Issues for debate include where future medical discoveries will come from and how public policy, research and businesses can work together to best serve patients.

Science Question Time is a new initiative aiming to bring people together to talk about issues surrounding science policy. The events are a collaboration between the Biochemical Society, the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) and Alice Bell.

Hashtag: #SciQT

For a full list of events, see http://www.londonsciencefestival.com/2011/ .

The London Science Festival can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Hashtag: #LSF11

For more details about King’s, see our ‘ King’s in Brief ’ page.

Principal Professor Rick Trainor signed an agreement yesterday at the Brazilian Embassy, creating the Rio Branco Chair, a prestigious international position at the College.

Eating fruit such as apples could be up to four times more damaging to teeth than carbonated drinks, according to a new study led by Professor David Bartlett at the King’s Dental Institute.

KingsCollegeLon: Senator George Mitchell with Lord Douro, Chairman of the College Council and Principal Professor Rick Trainor http://t.co/LbRmsVxJ 07:53 PM Oct 17th via Twitpic

KingsCollegeLon: The #kclmitchell lecture is starting shortly in the Great Hall 05:47 PM Oct 17th via Twitter for iPhone

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