Scientists share knowledge
Are you interested in current life science research and in a personal exchange with scientists? Life Science Zurich makes the biosciences accessible to a wide audience and aims to make current topics understandable for participants through direct dialogue. The free programme is aimed at school classes and interested groups. It offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about the latest research findings and current scientific methods. The programme includes a variety of exciting topics. The exchange takes place in the form of lectures with sufficient time for questions and answers, usually virtually.
Details
- Topics offered: detailed list here (PDF, 88 KB) (further topics are offered in German, see here)
- Duration: 45 minutes (1 lesson), usually 30 minutes lecture and 15 minutes for questions
- Speakers: Researchers (Master's students, doctoral students, post-doctoral students, lecturers, professors) from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich
- Dates: no fixed dates, please register with a preferred date. Coordination is carried out by Life Science Zurich
- Format: Mainly virtual via Zoom, sometimes also possible in person
- Target group: children (7-13 years), teenagers (14-18 years), adults
- Registration: by e-mail to info@lifescience.uzh.ch (please specify target group, possibly school level/age, desired topic and possible dates)
List of Topics
1. Molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry
| Topic | Key words / description | Target audience | |
| 1.1 | Enzymology | Sugar-coated protein: How cells produce complex glycans with diverse biological functions from simple sugars. | teenager |
2. Microbiology
| Topic | Key words / description | Target audience | |
| 2.1 | Microbial diversity | Seeing the invisible: A look and insight into the "invisible" world of microbes | teenager |
| 2.2 | Metabolic interactions in microbial communities | Our microbes and us: Microorganisms live in and on us and influence our health and well-being in a variety of ways | teenager |
| 2.3 | Pirates of the microbial world | How microbes hunt with grappling hooks and harpoons | teenager |
3. Human Biology & Medicine
|
|
Topic | Key words / description | Target audience |
| 3.1 | The Immune System | Our amazing immune system - insight into it's organisation and function | teenager |
| 3.2 | At the Center of the Disease | When form matters: structural alterations in proteins for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases | teenager |
| 3.3 | Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders | RNA: more than the central dogma - the role of messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA in the process of protein formation is well understood. But RNA can do more than just build proteins: it can build and break down molecules, silence genes, protect chromosomes, react to our environment and both recognise and cure diseases. | teenager |
| 3.4 | Gut microbiome, antibiotic resistance, vaccination, new vaccines | Vaccine, antibiotics, bacteria, microbiota, metabolic diseases, neonatal health, salmonella, E. coli, breath analysis | all target groups |
| 3.5 | Tissue engineering | Substitutes, wound healing, macrophage, Regenerative Medicine and Immunotherapy | all target groups |
| 3.6 | Healthy Longevity and Geroscience Medicine of Tomorrow | Healthy longevity, precision-medicine biology of aging, personalised prevention targeting biology of aging | teenager & adults |
4. Plant Sciences
| Topic | Key words / description | Target audience | |
| 4.1 | Plant Biochemistry | Strength in starch research: Researching unique aspects of plant carbohydrate metabolism for sustainable agriculture and healthier foods; Starch biosynthesis. How basic scientific research on a tiny garden weed yields discoveries that could improve the world’s major food crops | teenager |
| 4.2 | Plant Developmental Biology | Phloem development and function: development of sugar transport pathways in plants. How do cells become part of the tubes that transport sugar from leaves to roots, flowers and fruits? | teenager |
| 4.3 | Plant Microbiology |
Plants, rhizosphere, bacteria, microorganism, agriculture |
all target groups |
5. Environmental Sciences
| Topic | Key words / description | Target audience | |
| 5.1 | Biodiversity (*) | A brief history of life on planet Earth. Why are there so many species? Species depend on each other. The services of Biodiversity | children |
