The Revolution will be Bio-Based! 10 November

On 10th November 2012, the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum and the ESRC Innogen Centre will host a fun and interactive afternoon as part of the ESRC’s UK-wide Festival of Social Science exploring the economic and societal opportunities of the biotechnology revolution.

Bio-hacking and synthetic biology are at the forefront of this revolution, but what exactly are they and how do they impact life as we know it?

This free event will combine practical demonstrations and exhibitions with discussion sessions on the future direction of the life sciences.

You’ll get to:

• Get in on the discussion about the current and future relationship between the life sciences, society and the economy
• Listen to and engage with speakers on issues like:
• Could DIY-Bio ignite young people’s interest in life sciences? (13.30-14.15)
• How important is biotechnology in re-building the UK economy? (14.30-15.15)
• Could Scotland, the country which gave the world “Dolly” the cloned sheep, potentially lead a global revolution in the life sciences? (15.30-16.15)
• Learn about the latest biotechnology developments coming out of Scotland’s groundbreaking life science research centres in the exhibitions on display
• Make your own microbial fuel cell or extract some DNA from a strawberry during one of the hands-on DIY-Bio experiments led by MadLab’s DIY-Bio club

As new bio-based technologies emerge in the 21st century, social and ethical questions abound yet social science is helping us to answer these questions and see biotechnology in a more positive light. By holding a multi-faceted celebratory event involving a mixture of demonstrations, exhibitions and presentations, we aim to have a fun interactive afternoon with something for everyone. With informative displays, fascinating demos and intellectually stimulating presentations and debates, we hope to shift popular perception away from the usual scaremongering view of bio-weapons and disease, towards one that sees biotechnology as an exciting contributor to the country’s economy and society.

T‌here will be art installations, science demonstrations and poster exhibitions revealing all the many amazing aspects of biotechnology and the life sciences.

Organisations exhibiting their work and providing hands on demonstrations include:

• Manchester’s MadLab hosting a hands on DIY-Bio workshop demonstrating DNA barcoding, creating your own microbial fuel cells and extracting DNA from a strawberry
• Eurostemcell and the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine providing an insight into the cutting edge stem cell science taking place in Edinburgh and beyond. (Make sure you get a copy of their Hope Beyond Hype graphic novel written by sci-fi author and former Genomics Forum writer in residence, Ken MacLeod!)
• Scottish Stem Cell Network exhibiting an interactive presentation developed with Glasgow and Dundee Science Centres allowing you to find out more about stem therapies in five disease areas
• Biofuel Research Centre/National Biofuel Resource Centre exploring sustainable biofuels through a variety of props and interactive materials
• Heriot-Watt University’s Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering explaining their research into cellular biology and how they use cutting edge microscopy, genetics, physics and engineering to understand life at the fundamental limit

Further details:

The event is FREE but ticketed.

AIMED AT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES

Please book your ticket online at http://revolutionwillbebiobased.eventbrite.co.uk

Please contact Steph Wright, Events Manager on steph.wright@ed.ac.uk or 0131 651 4736 for further info.