LNdWDD2024: MPI-CBG

550 researchers from all over the world at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) are almost always in action - not only for the Dresden Science Night (Dresdner Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) on June 14, 2024, but especially then! We are looking forward to welcome you this year in person again from 5pm to midnight. We prepared an exciting program for you and we'll hope to see many of you here that evening.

Full program of the 2024 Dresden Science Night:
https://www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de/en/events

Program of the MPI-CBG on the Dresden Science Night website.

Guided tours in Russian and Arabic language through our MPI-CBG Science Night program

This year we also offer guided tours in Russian or Arabic language to our science stations. Just ask at the reception desk! One of our employees will then guide you through the house. We are looking forward to many international visitors!

Ексурсії українською та російською мовами присвячені Ночі науки в Інституті клітинної біології та генетики (MPI-CBG)

Завітайте до стійки реєстрації та один з наших українських чи російських співробітників залюбки проведуть для вас екскурсію різноманітними науковими станціями. З нетерпінням чекаємо на наших інтернаціональних відвідувачів!

جولات مرشدة باللغة العربية في ليلة العلوم في MPI-CBG
نقدم هذه السنة جولاتٍ باللغة العربية في محطاتنا العلمية، يمكنك طلب هذه الخدمة عند مكتب الاستقبال. أحد موظفينا سيقوم بمرافقتك و إرشادك داخل المبنى. نتطلع لاستقبال العديد من الزوار الأجانب.

Our program at MPI-CBG:

Hand-on exhibition

FOR KIDS: Little researchers and small fruit eaters

5:00 – 9:00pm
You want to work like a scientist in a white coat and rubber gloves? No problem - we have everything for you. You can pipette yourself or look at fruit flies under the microscope and estimate how many flies are flying around in a tube.

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What lives in the pond?

5:00 – 9:00pm
Our institute’s pond is buzzing with life! There are lots of creatures to observe. Some you can see with your eyes, but some animals are so small that we will need a microscope to see them. Here, you can take your own water samples, and our scientists will happily explain to you what lives inside our pond! You will also discover how microscopes work and why they are so important for our research.

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Huge effort for smallest structures

5:00pm – 0:00am
Join us as we walk you through the challenging process of getting to the core of the cell and show you the wonder and beauty of its individual components. Learn how electron microscopes can be used to visualize these tiny structures.

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From stem cells to mice - why do we still need laboratory animals?

5:00pm – 0:00am
Information on embryonic stem cells, microinjection facilities, transgenic mice and animal welfare. The Transgenic Core Facility at the MPI-CBG explains how mutant mouse models are created and why they are still necessary. We show computer-controlled microinjection facilities, egg cells under the microscope, the production of glass capillaries for microinjections.

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What are the forces that make us grow?

5:00pm – 0:00am
The research group of Otger Campàs at the Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life at TU Dresden has developed several new tools to measure and apply forces within developing embryos and miniature, lab-grown organs. To measure forces, scientists put magnetic oil droplets into a tissue and image them with a microscope to see the forces put on the droplet. Observe those forces in action!

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Proteins: come and explore nature’s LEGO box

5:00pm – 0:00am
Visit our station to learn all about proteins, the power tools in the smallest factory in the world: the cell. Proteins are much like LEGO; they are all made from only 20 different bricks, but they have all sorts of shapes and functions. But, compared to LEGO, proteins are tiny, with an average diameter of 0.0000005 meters! Even though they are too small to be seen, we show you how to find and isolate proteins yourself and let you test their function and strength in exciting experiments!

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Pictures of the inner cell

5:00pm – 0:00am
Explore how artificial intelligence and electron beams can visualize the inner workings of our cells. We will showcase our science with videos, steaming experiments, and living organisms.

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FOR KIDS: Research expedition to the zebrafish

5:00 – 9:30pm
Explore the zebrafish aquariums in the basement! On this expedition, you'll learn why these little fish sometimes have stripes and sometimes dots, why they are so interesting to scientists, and what is on their menu.

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3D Miniature Liver model in the Lab

5:00pm – 0:00am
Explore the miniature world of "Liver Organoids"! Learn how we cultivate tiny liver models in cell culture and discover the diverse possibilities they offer. Visit our booth and dive into the realm of cell research!

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Sustainable Science

5:00pm – 0:00am
Sustainability also plays a role in science. At the MPI-CBG, a sustainability group is working to make research less resource-intensive and more environmentally friendly. Find out what we are already doing to achieve this and take photos of yourself in a now discarded -80 degree freezer!

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TALK: The development of the human brain - what distinguishes us from Neanderthals

6:00pm – 6:30pm
What makes modern humans unique? Comparisons with our closest relatives, the Neanderthals, provide fascinating insights. For example, studies on the development of the brain can provide important insights into possible differences in cognitive abilities between modern humans and Neanderthals. In this talk you can learn more about how brain stem cells differ between modern humans and Neanderthals.

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Discover the liver architecture

5:00pm – 0:00am
Explore the impressive architecture and function of our liver! In our body, it removes harmful substances, converts food into energy, protects us from illness, and can even regenerate itself! Discover the importance of its structure for our health and how it changes during illness.

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START-SHAPE-STOP!

5:00pm – 0:00am
A journey to understand how do organs get the right size and shape: Our lab studies how cells communicate and interact to build (and re-build) organs. In order to have an organ of the right size and proportions, at the right time, cells ‘talk’ to each other in several ‘languages’. This allows them to coordinate how much to divide, for how long, and how to organize themselves in the tissue. Come visit us to understand how your organs grow to acquire the size and shape that fits your body!

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Pregnancy length in animals investigated with 3D organ models

5:00pm – 0:00am
The research group of Miki Ebisuya at the Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life at TU Dresden works with stem cells from various animals to find out what determines the big differences in the length of pregnancy in mice, rhino, and humans. The researchers investigate the molecular causes and physical principles behind this puzzle by growing small 3D organ models from these cells in a petri dish. Join us and observe these cells under a microscope!

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