Darlington's Dedicated Live Music Venue & Studios
The world’s largest festival of public science, which offers members of the public an inside look at cutting-edge research, is returning to Darlington for the third year.
The Pint of Science festival brings thousands of scientists and their research out of specialist labs and into their local pubs, cafés and community halls to share their scientific discoveries with members of the public in an informal and relaxed setting.
Science of Superbugs – Dr Bruno Silvester-Lopes, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology
As the world evolves, there is an emerging threat from infectious diseases and the dangerous role bacteria play. This talk aims to answer the following questions: What are pink microbes? Where do infectious diseases emerge? How do they spread? What is antimicrobial resistance, and how can we protect ourselves? And tries to highlight the new solutions which are emerging.
When antibiotics fail: Superbugs and the fight for sight – Dr Faith Ukachukwu, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Optometry
Antibiotics have transformed modern medicine, but what happens when they stop working? Around the world, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, creating dangerous “superbugs” that are harder to treat. Some are now resistant to both single and combination antibiotics, while very few new drugs are being developed.
This growing problem could make even common eye infections more serious and put sight at risk. This talk explores why antimicrobial resistance matters, how bacteria outsmart current treatments, and how natural product therapies could offer affordable, safer, and effective alternatives to help protect vision in the future.
Why fungi matter more than you think – Dr Takanori Furukawa, Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow
Do you like fungi? Perhaps it’s because they are behind some of humanity’s great inventions, such as beer, wine, bread, and antibiotics. Or maybe you dislike fungi because you simply don’t enjoy the taste or texture of mushrooms, or because you keep encountering black mould thriving in your bathroom. Either way, fungi have a tremendous impact on our lives both in GOOD and BAD ways. This talk will introduce the Funtastic microworld of fungi and explore why they matter more than you think in global public health.
