We set out for knowledge... "Run for knowledge with RUN PAN vol. 2”
On Tuesday morning at the Silesian University of Technology, young people from secondary schools appeared and set out for knowledge together with scientists of the Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Behind us is the second edition of popular science lectures "Run for knowledge with RUN PAN", which took place on April 9th at Students Cultural Centre "Mrowisko" in Gliwice. The lectures were conducted by scientists of the Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
The event began with a lecture by Prof. Paweł Golik – geneticist, professor of the Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw and the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS – “Aliens in our cells? Where did DNA come from in mitochondria?” The participants were able to recall concepts in biology and broaden their knowledge about the genetic material and origin of mitochondria, as well as learn about the history of DNA-related discoveries that have been made in science over the years.
Genetic related issues were also discussed during the second lecture. Prof. Ewa Bartnik, a geneticist, researcher at the University of Warsaw, explained how gene therapies work and what genetic diseases can be cured in this way.
The diversity and biological basis of sexual orientation was discussed by Prof. Wojciech Dragan – psychologist, scientist at the Jagiellonian University, author of the MiniBLOG Facebook profile about genes, behaviour and what in between – pointing out, among others, such biological aspects determining orientation, as genes, brain, body building markers.
Paulina Lopatniuk M.D – pathomorphologist, author of the Facebook profile “Pathologists on the Cage” – introduced the participants to the world of medicine by presenting a lecture “Cancer? You will not be infected.” and explaining how cancers can develop not only in humans but also in animals.
The event ended with the Oxford debate led by Prof. Marcin Grynberg – bioinformatics scientist, scientist of the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Secondary school pupils discussed whether artificial intelligence would replace scientists in the future.
The organizer of popular science lectures "Run for knowledge with RUN PAN vol. 2" were the Polish Academy of Sciences, The Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science PAS, Silesian University of Technology, Science Popularization Centre.
