22. August 2011
Cluster of Excellence CECAD with an interactive exhibit on MS Wissenschaft
The Cluster of Excellence CECAD at the University of Cologne took part in the event entitled “Research for Our Health” aboard the exhibition ship “MS Wissenschaft”. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 24th and 25th August the floating science center opened her hatches in the historic city center of Cologne, offering visitors fascinating glimpses into the mysteries of the human body.
“Keep the worms alive!”
The interactive exhibit “Keep the worms alive!” aroused visitor curiosity in a playful way and gave the curious exciting insights into the workings of the body: Besides a cool animated trailer on the theme of metabolism and “Talking Heads” – short video statements by five leading CECAD scientists - CECAD also had an interactive game to offer: Under the slogan “Keep the worms alive!” visitors were invited to take part in an exciting experiment as ‘managers’ of metabolism. A short animation clip geared to a young audience gave them the crucial tips they needed to succeed.
Our body provides the basis for life, but it’s continually changing: It doesn’t stay young forever; it ages. Why do bodies age at different speeds. Why do people get ill as they get old? Scientists at CECAD are looking for answers to these questions. Apart from hereditary factors, nutrition and metabolism have an important influence on how quickly or slowly we age. Among other things, the Cluster of Excellence CECAD in Cologne is investigating the process of metabolism in order to find out what leads to aging. Research is not usually carried out directly on humans but on so-called model organisms such as threadworms, as their metabolism is astonishingly similar to ours. This helps us to understand how the critical processes might function in man and – in future – could enable us to develop treatments for certain diseases.
MS Wissenschaft
Since 19th May and up to the end of September 2011 the exhibition ship will have been cruising through Germany and Austria, mooring in 35 cities. The initiative “Science in Dialogue” is sponsored by BMBF and was set up by the leading German scientific research organizations.
The Excellence Cluster CECAD at the University of Cologne
CECAD is researching the molecular basis of the aging process and associated diseases. The aim is to use this knowledge to devise new treatments. Over 300 scientists form CECAD’s close-knit, interdisciplinary workforce.
Further information: www.cecad.uni-koeln.de
The game “Keep the worms alive“ doesn’t have to be played on board it can also be accessed online via the website: www.young-cecad.de. Alongside the interactive exhibit further information is offered, for instance on CECAD or how to go about becoming a research scientist.
The project was set up in close collaboration with Dr Bernhard Schemer, Prof. Rudolf Wiesner and Dr Thomas Wunderlich.
Project Management: Astrid Bergmeister, CECAD PR and Marketing Manager
Contact:
Astrid Bergmeister, Tel. + 49 (0) 221-470-5287
astrid.bergmeister(at)uk-koeln.de
Andrea Pfennig, Tel. + 49 (0) 221-470-1603
andrea.pfennig(at)uk-koeln.de
CECAD Cologne
University of Cologne
Zülpicher Strasse 47
50674 Cologne
Germany
