The Beasts Within Us - Public Lecture

Public lecture

Occuring on Wednesday 8 April 8.00pm - 9.00pm

About

Parasites. Are they insidious aliens that exploit us for their own ends, or an integral part of ourselves? Some parasites can kill us, others may protect us from allergic disease, some may even alter our behaviour!

A principal Moredun Research Institute scientist will be speaking at a public lecture as part of this year's Edinburgh International Science Festival on the subject of parasites.

The lecture will initially discuss the role of Scottish Scientists and explorers in discovering many of the most important and deadly tropical parasitic diseases that are still major causes of death in tropical countries today.The speakers will then discuss the latest research into one of the most successful parasitic diseases in the world: Toxoplasma gondii, thought to infect one third of the world’s population. This tiny protozoan parasite can be easily transmitted to people through consumption of contaminated food and drink and lives inside our brains and may even alter our behaviour.

Dr Elisabeth Innes from Moredun Research Institute will be giving this joint public lecture with Professor Michael Barrett from the University of Glasgow. The event will be chaired by Professor Frank Cox from London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and is sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.

Further information can be found on the Science Festival website

Organisation

Moredun Research Institute

Venue

Informatics Building, University of Edinburgh

Address

George Square University of Edinburgh

For More Info

Tickets for this lecture cost £6 for adults and £4 for concessions and can be ordered direct for the Science Festival box office (0131 553 0322) or through the Science Festival website.