Long Night of the Sciences

They are almost pain-free, social and yet authoritarian. They like to gossip and cuddle, get super old and have no problem finding their way around in complete darkness: naked mole rats. We share with you, what we can learn from naked mole rats about ourselves and for the therapy of human diseases. We'll also give you a glimpse into the gloomy world of these fascinating rodents from East Africa.

Registration: central info point at the MDC.C

Lewin Lab

Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation

As early as in the 19th century, scientists speculated that digestion and our mental well-being are linked. Their take: “toxins” produced in the gut were poisoning patients’ minds. During the last 15 years, the communication between gut and brain has gotten renewed attention. Scientists are exploring how diet changes our gut microbes, and how they (not “toxins”) can influence brain function and mental health. The microbiome may be involved in driving some brain disorders. In other situations, they can protect us. A short interactive seminar on gut feelings.

Paul Lab

Clinical Neuroimmunology

Beauty ideals are social constructs that change over time and vary across cultures. “Drop-dead gorgeous” is a small anthology that reflects to what extreme lengths we go to achieve “ideal beauty” and maintain standards of physical attractiveness. The exhibition focuses on the story and science behind three elements (plants/chemicals) that are extremely toxic - sometimes deadly - and were routinely used, in various historical moments, to conform to on-trend beauty ideals. With this series, the artist Eleonora Adami would like to spark a reflection on beauty perceptions and self-worth.

Further information

How are psychiatric diseases defined at the cellular and molecular level? How can art be used to describe psychiatric disorders? PhD student Bilge Ugursu will address in a scientific presentation about depression and autism spectrum disorder, followed by an art exhibition reflecting many more mental conditions. Ugursu’s artworks have been exhibited in numerous international galleries. She will show a selection of them during LNDW'23 to promote mental health awareness and start a dialogue with you.

Further information

The cell is the smallest living unit of all organisms. It is an important part of scientific research and provides many opportunities. Would you like to know how we use cell cultures in research? Here, guests can attempt cell culture tasks themselves and watch how an experiment is conducted. 10 years or older.

Müller/Dechend Lab

Hypertension-Mediated End-Organ Damage

Pipetting, measuring, finding information – in our Lab Olympics you can put your abilities up to a test and find out whether you have what it takes to master the every-day lab work. A lab selfie is included.

More processed foods, more sugar, more fat: A Western lifestyle promotes many metabolic and inflammatory diseases. After all, food alters the microbial ecosystem in our intestines. If you have any questions about microbiome research, or the connection between nutrition and inflammation, the immune system, or cancer, scientists at the Campus Berlin -Buch will be happy to answer them.

Protein structures change all the time. This lets cell grow, divide, and even permits pathogens to invade. We use cryogenic electron microscopy to study these structures: We freeze cells from the heart, muscles and brain with proteins at -195°C in thin layers of ice preserving the biological material in its native form. We then load the sample into the huge electron microscopes and process big data to reveal the structures and understand how they work. At the booth, we will present 3D-printed protein models – and you can assemble the subunits to a whole protein.

Kudryashev Lab

In Situ Structural Biology