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March 2019
Petri Dish: Gene Editing
Where Do We Go From Here? Reports of gene editing in humans are making news headlines and raising red flags. We will explore what is possible now, what will be possible soon and what it all means for those with hereditary diseases and the rest of us. Join us at Urban Growler for science-themed trivia and a discussion with experts from across disciplines. Panelists Perry Hackett is a professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development in the…
Find out more »April 2019
Petri Dish: Extinction
When Is It Time to Say Goodbye? As the threat of extinction accelerate under changing conditions, the conversation about which species to save and why takes on greater urgency. Is there a right way to decide what to fight for and what to let go? Are some extinctions true “game-changers” and can human innovation fill the gaps fast enough. Should we be worried about sharp declines in insects? Join us at Urban Growler for science-themed trivia and a discussion with…
Find out more »October 2019
Petri Dish: Life as We *Don’t* Know It
Life has arisen only once to the best of our understanding. It is possible that there is life on other, distant planets, but could humans create a new form of life? Synthetic biology and the quest to create synthetic cells could reframe how we think about the boundaries of life. It could also give clues about the many forms life could take on other planets. The ability to create cells from scratch promises to answer fundamental questions about life and…
Find out more »November 2019
Petri Dish: Putting a Price on Biodiversity Loss
Drones, satellites, and other new technology allow measurement of biodiversity as never before, at a time when climate change, habitat destruction, and over-harvesting are causing unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss. Can better measurement of biodiversity along with better science linking biodiversity conservation to our own quality of life be used to slow or halt the rate of loss of biodiversity? We’ll explore the new opportunities that advances in science generate and the political and economic challenges to halting biodiversity loss.…
Find out more »March 2020
Petri Dish: Clearing the Air Around Cannabis
Cannabis has been classified as a controlled substance under federal law since 1970. The plant’s outlaw status hampered research and disrupted cultivation of Cannabis used for hemp fiber. But Cannabis wasn’t always flora non grata. The US Army encouraged hemp cultivation in Minnesota during the second world war and perceptions of the high-flying drug-type Cannabis have shifted dramatically in recent years. Now, laws restricting Cannabis are in flux across the country and the popularity of Cannabis derivatives such as CBD oil is on the rise. We’ll explore how we got here and where…
Find out more »April 2020
CANCELED: Petri Dish: Personalized Medicine as Panacea?
Imagine a world in which the makeup of your individual genome would help physicians pinpoint the very best course of treatment for a wide range of diseases. Diagnoses would be more accurate and therapies would be tailored to you. It’s an appealing idea that underpins a growing movement toward personalized or precision medicine, but it also raises numerous questions scientific and social. Is our current understanding of genetics adequate to the undertaking? Are we ready and willing to shoulder the…
Find out more »October 2021
Petri Dish: Concrete and canopy – Urban nature in the spotlight
Join three University of Minnesota experts for a conversation about the invisible role urban nature plays in our daily lives
Find out more »November 2021
Petri Dish: Back to the beginning – Investigating the origin of life
Join three University of Minnesota experts for a conversation about what it means for expanding our understanding of life.
Find out more »March 2022
Petri Dish: Better living through biology?
Join University of Minnesota experts for a conversation about how biology affects our lives and what it means for our future.
Find out more »April 2022
Petri Dish: A matter of fate: The long tail of chemicals in the environment
Join us for a conversation with our panelists as they discuss the impacts of chemicals in the environment and our waterways.
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