Public event to reveal how magic can be used to study the brain
Have you ever wondered how scientists explore the brain, or what goes wrong during a stroke or in dementia?
If so, the University is partnering with the DANA Foundation for the third year to celebrate Brain Awareness Week (BAW) with a free public event on Wednesday 18 March which will answer these questions and more.
The human brain is the most complex arrangement of matter in the known universe. Through our five senses it ‘digests’ vast amounts of information, this allows us to see, hear, taste, touch and balance. Understanding how the brain works is a major research challenge, with thousands of scientists studying it in the expectation that through greater understanding we can eventually overcome many tragic diseases.
During the free event, taking place from 6.00 – 8.00pm in the Peter Williams Lecture Theatre, members of the public will get the chance to meet and talk with scientists, view demonstrations of current brain research and listen to three short seminars on aspects of brain function and disease. This will be followed by a cheese and wine reception.
The public will be able to view demonstrations on what snails can teach us about neuroscience; what magic can tell us about the brain; and how a small tropical fish can be used to study psychiatric disorders, among many others.
A selection of posters created by Postgraduate Students and Intercalated BSc Students will also be on display at the event with the opportunity to speak to the students about their research.