Dr Mark Larché and new hope for allergy sufferers – 105science
A UK biotechnology company has been testing vaccines for common allergies. The vaccines use SPIREs (synthetic peptides that regulate immune system cells) to help people fend off their allergies to cats, grasses and dust mites. The Science Show’s Chris Creese spoke with Professor Mark Larché who is leading these clinical trials.
Want to learn more?
- Research: McMaster T-cell Epitope Centre
- Biotech: Circassia ToleroMune technology
Science what’s on in Cambridge
Theatre group Making Good Theatre present The Unsung Heroine of the Double Helix a play by Rani Drew. Rosalind Franklin was an x-ray crystallographer who produced the famous Photo 51 of DNA. The play tells the story of Franklin, who folklore says produced a critical bit of evidence that led to the discovery of how DNA was arranged in a Double Helix. Her work was unacknowledged at the time, while two Cambridge guys got the credit. No need to book. Turn up at 7.30 pm on Wed 27, Thu 28, Fri 29 & Sat 30 November at the Faculty of English, 9 West Road, Cambridge.
Can you believe your eyes? is part workshop – part discussion at the Cambridge Science Centre on Jesus Lane on Thursday 28th November. At this evening event, you try some hands-on activities with visual illusions that test and trick your perception. That’s followed by an informal discussion about current vision research with scientists, clinicians and people who themselves are grappling with altered senses. From 7:00 – 9:00pm.
Eyespots and scents on butterfly wings is on Thursday 21 November. Paul Brakefield, Director of the Cambridge Museum of Zoology, will tell how the eye-like markings on butterflies and moths, help them to evade their predators. He will explain how the wing “eyespots” are actually laid down before the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. He will also talk about the scents produced in the wings during courtship.
That’s at 7.30pm at the Lord Ashcroft Building – in the centre of Anglia Ruskin University (LAB 027)
The Institute of Astronomy hosts a weekly talk every Wednesday. You’ll be able to look through their big telescopes. There’ll be people from the Cambridge Astronomical Association to guide you through what’s to see. Doors open at 6.45pm. It starts at 7:00pm and runs till 9:00pm. The fun is very weather-dependent. Every week on the West Cambridge site in the Hoyle Building
Man’s station in the universe: a scientist’s spiritual journey happens on Thursday 21 November at Clare College. It’s run by the Cambridge University Bahá’í Society. 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Pathogens in the pub – an informal conference but in a pub setting happens on Tuesday 19 November at the The Maypole Pub. Come and Listen to early-career scientists talk about pathogens while sipping a hopefully sterile favourite drink.* Cost: free 8:00pm – 9:30pm
*Chris adds “Did you know that ice cubes from most of Britain’s high street restaurants have MORE bacteria than water from the toilets? Yikes! Now that’s what I call pathogens in the pub!” Read more about it in the Daily Mail.