Pint of Science is a chance to hear from some of the leading scientists from the Norwich Research Park over a drink in the informal setting of some of Norwich’s pubs and bars.

There’s events spread across five different venues, from 15th to 17th May, so get your tickets now and come along to meet the scientists working in Norwich to make a healthier and better future for us all.

https://pintofscience.co.uk/events/norwich

Scientists from The Quadram Institute are taking part, giving you the chance to find out about some of the new research we’ll be undertaking, making healthier foods for the future, battling superbugs and harnessing the power of the microbiome.

SOLD OUT Bacteria & Me, including Cho Zin Soe & Mark Webber 15th May, The Cathedral Refectory

SOLD OUT Bifidobacterium: Microbial Guardians Of The (Gut) Galaxy

Cho Zin Soe

Impressively, the human gut contains more than 1000 different types of bacteria, known as our “gut microbiome”. Bifidobacterium are among the first members to make themselves at home in our gut after birth. Our resident superheroes, their health benefits include: developing the immune system in infants, assisting digestion and absorption of nutrients and protection against disease-causing pathogens. How can a bacteria aid in the fight against infections?

SOLD OUT Evolution, Evolution, Evolution: How Bacteria Become ‘Superbugs’

Dr Mark Webber 

Antibiotic resistance is a huge threat to human health but is also a perfectly natural process which pre-dates humans. Bacteria are often found in very large populations and can grow very rapidly as well as being able to transfer pieces of DNA between each other. In this talk, Dr Mark Webber will explain how the Superbugs come about and give some examples of how different pathogens have evolved antibiotic resistance.

Eating in the Year 3000 including Brittany Hazard, 15th May, The York Tavern

Have Your Cake & Eat It Too: Designing Healthier Wheat Starches

Dr Brittany Hazard (Research Leader at the Quadram Institute and John Innes Centre )

We’ve all experienced a sugar rush before – it’s great while it lasts, but eventually you crash. Most wheat products are made from refined flour, comprised mainly of starch, that is very rapidly digested giving you that short-lived burst of energy. So how can we alter wheat starches so that they’re digested more slowly? Come and discover how genomics tools are being used to design new wheat starches for healthier everyday foods!

SOLD OUT You are what you eat, including Michael Müller 16th May, The Cathedral Refectory

SOLD OUT You Are What You Feed Them

Professor Michael Müller (Professor of Nutrigenomics at the University of East Anglia, Research Leader at QI )

Our microbiota (our personal collection of microorganisms) adapts rapidly to changes in our diet with important effects on our health. A poorly functioning gut microbiota has been linked to several metabolic complications and complex diseases. Can we develop strategies to specifically target the gut and its microbiota to prevent liver diseases or even, fascinatingly, to influence how we think?

DNA, Disease & Datasets: The Big & Small Of Health Technology – Gary Barker 17th May, Mash Tun

How Big Data Can Be Used To Make Big Decisions!

Dr Gary Barker (Theoretical physicist at the Quadram Institute)

Surveillance is a developing activity and healthcare is no exception. Large volumes of anonymized data can be used to generate a complex picture of healthcare provision, in almost real time, and then can be used to identify anomalous events or trends to support decisions about management of public health or preparedness.  Find out how collection and analysis of healthcare data helps to keep us prepared!