© Pint of Science, 2024. All rights reserved.
Have you ever wondered what gives the cells of your body the energy they need to perform their amazing jobs? Join us to hear about the Batteries of your body as two researchers take us on a journey from the primordial soup to the very leading edge of current research. We will also have hands on activities and Pint of Science Prizes galore! Please note that this venue is for over 18s and is not wheelchair accessible.
‘Three Parent Babies’: The Truth Behind the Headlines.
Mitochondrial donation is a novel IVF technique that could allow some women with mitochondrial disease to have a healthy child that is genetically related to both parents. Although people may have heard of this technique, it is often in the sensational context of the “three-parent baby”. Early 2015 saw a historic vote by Parliament permitting the use of mitochondrial donation in the UK, and now that a licensing system is in place. This will be a world first, making it an ideal time to discuss some of the science behind a clinical treatment that has been pioneered in Newcastle.
Battery Flattery: The Importance of Mitochondria
The cells of our body need energy to perform their important and varied functions, this energy is supplied by mitochondria. Some of the cells of our body need more energy than others, for example muscle and brain cells. Our research looks at what happens when these mitochondria do not work correctly and cannot produce sufficient energy. This is important for many diseases including Parkinson’s disease and the mitochondrial diseases. This talk will take you on a journey from the primordial soup to cutting edge current research.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.