BioConvS, in collaboration with the LabEx Who Am I and the Graduate school GENE, hosted three nights of scientific events at the welcoming pub Deux-Point-Zéro in the heart of the buzzing 10th arrondissement of Paris. 150 people attended a total of six scientific talks, led by scientists from the Faculty of Science of Université Paris Cité and members from the broader DIM BioConvS network. Such good memories! The conversation was lively, with the audience clinging to every word while participating with insightful and pertinent questions. The speakers managed to ignite the interest of the audience from beginning to end, and I’m sure they went home each night enriched by the wealth of reflections, questions, and observations they received.
Pint of Science is about showing people how science can be a wonder, and I’d dare say that all our speakers succeeded.
On our first night, we discussed a grave topic indeed: pathogenic bacteria, and introduced two strategies to tackle the well-known and pressing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Nawal Serradji shared her journey in the fight against STDs, which spread at an alarming rate—more than 1 million new cases a day! The fight is not made easier by the fact that antibiotics are not always effective. Here she steps in, showing us how the clever modification of drugs using nanoparticles can help tackle the problem.
Juliàn Bulssico enchanted the audience by talking about bacteriophages, the viruses of bacteria, which few know about, yet they are ten times more numerous than the stars in the universe! Indeed, they are the most abundant creatures on our planet; and more importantly, they are bacterial killers that we can hijack to fight infections when antibiotics fail.
On the second night, we shifted our attention quite litterally internally – to our gut!
Caroline Léger and Oriane Onimus led us through a fascinating journey of discovery of how our brain and gut communicate; how what we eat influences our brain, which in turn influences our gut. I don’t think anyone present will soon forget their brightly lit astrocytes, nor the colorful mouse food which brought about such an extreme modification!
And actually, did you know exactly why it is so important to have a diverse diet? Nathalie Rolhion and Diego Garcia-Weber managed to teach us all about the gut microbiota in an engaging, lively way: how the antibiotics we take threaten this diversity, and how changes in metabolites threaten our defenses, bursting through our gut barrier in a quite spectacular way that no one in attendance will forget—not until they finish brushing confetti out of their hair, that is…
The final night was about the biomedicines of tomorrow.
Lucile Alexandre took us on a microscopic journey through cutting-edge equipment to discover extracellular vesicles: the properties, characteristics, and therapeutic potential of these still not fully characterized minuscule entities that can travel where cells cannot, a step further towards new, powerful biotherapies.
Finally, Hugo Salmon closed the talk series by taking us by hand to discover the fascinating world of microfabricated, makeshift organs: hijacking the techniques developed to build microchips, he showed us how scientists can now test drugs on miniaturized, simplified versions of kidneys, livers, lungs, and so forth to reduce the extensive use of lab animals, moving towards the development of a human-on-a-chip.
Three evenings of discovery, curiosity, and great fun. Another confirmation, if ever it was needed, of the fact that the Pint of Science recipe works, enriching both the public and the scientists who partake in it. Pint 2024 is over, but save the dates for the 2025 edition: May 19-20-21! We can’t wait to discover which other scientists will take the leap and try this wonderful experience!
This year, the DIM BioConvS, in collaboration with LabEx WhoAmI?, the GENE Graduate School, and the Faculty of Science of Université Paris Cité, is proud to sponsor three evenings as part of Pint of Science in Paris. Pint of Science is a global science festival that brings researchers out of their labs and into local pubs to share their latest discoveries with the public in an accessible and engaging manner. Through talks, demonstrations, and interactive activities, attendees have the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in various scientific fields while enjoying a pint of their favorite beverage.
The DIM BioConvS aims to kindle public interest in the realm of innovative biotherapies through these sponsored evenings. By showcasing the advancements, challenges, and potential applications of biotherapies in an informal setting, they hope to demystify complex scientific concepts and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation among the general public. Through interactive discussions and hands-on experiences, attendees will not only gain insights into the exciting world of biotherapies but also have the chance to engage directly with researchers, ask questions, and explore the possibilities of these groundbreaking technologies. This initiative underscores the commitment of DIM BioConvS to bridging the gap between academia and society, promoting science literacy, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators.
When:
13-14-15 May 2024 at 19h
Where:
Deux Point Zéro, 7 rue Blondel 75003, Paris
How:
Register on the Pint of Science website (link to each event below). Registration opens on April 8th and places run out really fast! So if you want to attend, make sure to secure a spot quickly!
May 13th
Nawal Serradji (lecturer, ITODYS laboratory) and Julián Bulssico (postdoctoral researcher, SEED laboratory)
War against the Bacterial Empire: New Jedi
In our galaxy, the human body faces invasions from microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) that threaten our health. With the help of treatments, the body valiantly attempts to combat them, but over time, resistance develops and these treatments become ineffective. Tonight, come discover new techniques to fight against the dark side of the Bacterial Empire!
May 14th
Caroline Léger + Oriane Onimus (Ph.D. students, BFA unit) and Diego Garcia-Weber (lecturer, Saint-Antoine Research Center) + Nathalie Rolhion (research associate, Saint-Antoine Research Center)
Microbiome, Intestine, Brain: Cheers to Your Health!
The intestine plays a major role in regulating our diet and metabolism, but does it truly act alone? Tonight, delve into the connections between the intestinal microbiome, intestine, and brain to understand their impact on energy balance and health. Discover why their imbalance can lead to the onset of diseases and approaches to better treat them!
May 15th
Lucile Alexandre (postdoctoral researcher, MSC-Med laboratory) and Hugo Salmon (lecturer, MSC-Med & T3S unit)
Mission Biotherapy: Medicines of Tomorrow?
Would you like more targeted therapies? Are you interested in more ethical pharmacological tests? Biotherapies are here for that! Tonight, come discover the fascinating innovations that rely on extracellular vesicles as a means of administering drugs and organs-on-chips as a new platform to replicate the physiological environment of human organs.
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Address:
DIM BioConvS
Faculté des Sciences - Université Paris Cité
5 rue Thomas Mann 75013 Paris
