Dazzling DNA, scintillating cells and disconcerting diseases (Spring term) (SCE 08)

  • Day and time: Thursday 15:50 - 16:50
    Weekly
  • Length of course: 1 term. Spring (10 Weeks)
  • Number of places: 30
  • Start date: 20 January 2022
  • Description:

    This course offers a gentle introduction to DNA and the cells that make us, subjects which have enormous impacts on our health and daily lives. It is a repeat of last year's course. What is DNA and how were its structure and roles in heredity identified? How was its code cracked and how is it decoded in our body's cells? How does a single fertilized egg become trillions of cells and why aren't they all the same? What are stem cells and why do they matter? What are viruses and how do they hijack our cells? How do diseases such as cancer and dementia arise and what can we do about them? The explosion in knowledge of cells and DNA is transforming medicine, forensic science and agriculture. This course aims to provide an intelligible introduction.

    Please click HERE for presentations

  • Format: Lecture

  • Tutor: Ron Laskey
  • Ron directed the MRC Cancer Cell Unit and lectured to about 10,000 students and many public audiences over his 29 years as a Cambridge professor.


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