Captivating lectures, interactive workshops, and exhibits for all ages make up the “Tales of Change” focused on Life Sciences at the anniversary Athens Science Festival, taking place from April 16 to 21 at Technopolis City of Athens!
Each anniversary is a milestone, a valuable opportunity to learn from the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future. In this context, the Athens Science Festival, celebrating its 10th year, returns from April 16 to 21 at Technopolis City of Athens, with captivating “Tales of Change” that decode the marvel of life!
Have you ever wondered what it takes to unlock the secrets of the human organism, unravel the mysteries of diseases, or design the future of pharmacology and targeted therapies? Five internationally recognized scientists with years of research experience, thousands of citations to their work, and numerous awards and distinctions, will come to ASF to share their own “Tales of Change” focused on the Life Sciences!
The internationally acclaimed Professor Stylianos Antonarakis, from the University of Geneva, recognized for his research in genetics, will introduce us to the human genome, the “signature” of each organism’s uniqueness. In his lecture “The Human Genome in Health and Disease” he will explain why each of us has our own distinct genome, which is unlike anyone else’s. He will also discuss why interpreting this diversity is the “key” to understanding the origins of diseases and discovering targeted treatments.
Professor George P. Chrousos, Director of the University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine at NKUA, will guide us through the pathways of “The Human Brain and Its Changes in Prematurity”. What happens during the first months of a baby’s life? How does this process differ in cases of premature birth? Through Dr. Chrousos’s research, we will discover how a better understanding of the mechanisms linking prematurity to a range of seemingly unrelated diseases could lead to innovative and personalized interventions for a significant portion of the global population—given that premature births total 15 million annually. His lecture is part of the European research program MiniNo.
At the Athens Science Festival, Stefanos Chandakas, the Chairman of the Board at “Mitera” Hospital and a professor of Gynecology specialized in assisted reproduction, will address the topic of infertility in relation to the demographic challenges in Greece. Dr. Chandakas will discuss how technology significantly contributes to the field of fertility and in-vitro fertilization. He will also elaborate on the serious demographic problem that Greece faces and the role that civic society, both at local and national levels, needs to play in addressing this issue.
Dr. Emmanuil (Manolis) Dermitzakis, Vice President and Head of Computational Biology at a major pharmaceutical company, will discuss “Innovation in Drug Discovery” at the Athens Science Festival. He will explore how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can expand the boundaries of pharmaceutical research and how these new technologies are being adopted by Big Pharma as well as smaller biotechnology firms.
Dr. Panagiota Poirazi, Director of Research and Head of the Dendrites Lab at IMBB, FORTH, employs computational approaches—including machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence—to understand brain function. In her lecture titled “Decoding the Mysteries of Biological and Artificial Intelligence” she will guide us through the fascinating exploration of the wondrous world of brains, both biological and artificial.
Dr. Georgios Skretas, Director of the Institute of Bioinnovation at BSRC Alexander Fleming and Collaborating Researcher at the Institute of Chemical Biology of EIE, will introduce us to the world of biosciences and entrepreneurship with his lecture “Drug Discovery from Bacteria”. How can certain microorganisms contribute to the development of new drugs against Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease? And what are the stages of bringing these drugs to market, so that patients can benefit?”
Sotirios Kampranis, Professor of Biochemical Engineering in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, will focus on synthetic biology, which involves modifying genetic microorganisms to produce biomaterials used today. In his lecture “From Synthetic Biology to the Green Transition” he will explain how this process transforms simple biomass into valuable products and is considered critical for the green transition.
Organisms under microscopes from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Have you ever closely observed organisms under a microscope? How small can they be, and why can’t we see them with the naked eye? The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Europe’s largest life sciences laboratory with over 110 independent research groups, arrives at the Athens Science Festival with microscopes and invites visitors of all ages to interactive games and workshops.
The BSRC Alexander Fleming introduces us to the world of Life Sciences
What do diseases affecting our nerve cells, eye diseases, and the biofilms that microbes form to protect themselves have in common? Could we design pharmaceutical substances to address these health threats? Are you aware of the unique role of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster in biomedical research? How can we shed light on ancient mysteries and contemporary health challenges? Join us at the EKEVE ‘Alexandros Fleming’ booths to have all your questions about the fascinating world of chemistry and biology answered!
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with Workshops of Biosciences
Additionally, young and adult visitors to the Athens Science Festival will have the opportunity to experience the world of biosciences on the weekend of April 19-21. On Friday, April 19, the ‘Demokritos’ EKEFE ‘offers ‘Exotic DNA Smoothies’: A delicious ‘cocktail’ of interactive learning about the basic principles of Genetics. A workshop for teenagers that raises crucial questions about Biology. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, iGEM Thessaly 2024 and the butterfly will take you on a journey through the world of Synthetic Biology.
Want more “Tales of Change”? We await you from April 16 to April 21 at Technopolis City of Athens, with lectures, exhibits, and workshops that compose captivating ‘Stories of Change’! Ticket pre-sales have started!
The Athens Science Festival 2024 is organized by the educational organization “Science Communication – SciCo”, the British Council, and the Technopolis City of Athens in collaboration with numerous academic, research institutions, and educational organizations with the support of COSMOTE as a Platinum Sponsor.
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See the Athens Science Festival 2024 promo video
Ticket pre-sales at more.com and the network of resellers.
Information:
Tuesday, April 16 to Sunday, April 21, 2024
GENERAL ADMISSION: €8 in pre-sale and €10 at the box office
REDUCED TICKET: €8 at the box office
FAMILY TICKET: €30 in pre-sale and €32 at the box office
GENERAL ADMISSION AND AMPHITHEATER TICKET (LECTURES) – SATURDAY 20/4 (19:00 – 23:30) & SUNDAY 21/4 (17:00 – 23:30): €18 in pre-sale and €20 at the box office
LATE NIGHT SCIENCE TICKET (AMPHITHEATER) 20/4 – 21:30 – 23:00: €10
More: www.athens-science-festival.gr
