Plant Sciences in pubs

25/05/2023

CEPLAS members discussed their research topics in a pub atmosphere at the Pint of Science Festival 2023.

Every year in May, an audience interested in science has the opportunity to listen to exciting contributions on different topics of science in a cozy pub atmosphere and to discuss them afterwards. At the annual Pint of Science Festival, 6 CEPLAS members participated this time and presented their research topics in Düsseldorf and Cologne pubs. Afterwards, numerous questions were asked and exciting discussions developed in a relaxed atmosphere.

On May 22, three CEPLAS members provided insights into their research at the "Kassette" bar in Düsseldorf. The CEPLAS scientist Franziska Fichtner dealt in her contribution with the question of whether plants can also get diabetes. She revealed to the visitors that plants also have a signal substance similar to insulin. CEPLAS doctoral student Christian Frederic Kaiser took the audience on a journey through the universe of plant breeding and pointed out that breeding has revolutionized our world. In a very entertaining way, doctoral student Sebastian Triesch answered the question of what an engine, a pineapple and a beer have in common. That the answer has something to do with photosynthesis became apparent very soon.

On the same day in the industrial bar "Liebefeld zu Ehren" in Cologne, CEPLAS doctoral student Laura Merx reported on her research on microorganisms and their interaction with plants. The fact that bacteria can supply plants with nitrogen is an important starting point for this. Philipp Katzey from the University of Cologne told the audience in his contribution "The daily portion of Aspirin - Plant immunity and Painkiller" how the precursor of aspirin helps plants to defend themselves.

A song about engineering and evolution was presented by Shrihari Negi, who came to the "Bumann und Sohn" bar in Cologne on May 23. His talk was about the use of microbes for water treatment.

On the last day of the festival, CEPLAS researcher Craig Dent explained in the pub "Tankstelle" in Cologne why he traces the lineage of the potato and why this is so important for future breeding.