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Public Outreach 2019-07-12T15:46:49+00:00

On the 10th of July Luís Estronca represented our group and the ERA@UC project in “Encontro Ciência 2019”. This event aims at promoting a debate of the main challenges in science besides the research universe. The main objective is to stimulate the interaction between researchers, companies and the general public. The event was promoted by FCT in collaboration with Ciência Viva.

Several members of our group have shown great commitment in sharing scientific knowledge and help shaping the next generation of scientists.

Hugo Fernandes presented recently two seminars to high school students about cardiovascular diseases and cell therapies (Diálogos com cientistas, Escola Secundária Oliveira do Bairro) and about stem cells (Conferências nas Escolas, Escola Secundária Marques Castilho, Águeda)

On the 20th of February Susana Simões gave a talk about regenerative medicine to high school students in Escola Secundária de Oliveira do Bairro. This talk was part of 10 session program called “dialogues with scientists” focused on modern science themes with impact in the society.

On the 7th of December, Patrícia Pitrez gave a talk to 11th grade students in Escola Secundária Adolfo Portela about stem cells and  some issues related to their biomedical applications.

European Researchers Night 2018 and FeCiOB

How do we age? A trip through cardiovascular ageing

How do we age? A trip through cardiovascular ageing – NEI 2017 and FeCiOB

Bridging the gap between citizens and science, Biomaterials and Stem Cell-based Therapeutics group attended two great public outreach events: European Research in Night in Coimbra (NEI) on the night of the 29th September and the Science Festival of Oliveira do Bairro (FeCiOB) on the 4th October.

Considering the group’s participation in ERACHAIR, the topic chosen for this year was cardiovascular ageing. The main aims were to raise awareness for cardiovascular ageing in the population and to inform about the role of the group in this research area. The approach to the topic was done using three different activities, which complemented each other. One of the activities consisted in the visualization of a virtual reality movie using appropriate devices, which allowed the participant to ‘travel’ inside a young and an old heart and aorta, highlighting the changes between them at a physiological and cellular point of view. The two other activities focused on reinforcing the concepts seen in the movie, through a quiz in a fortune teller and a game where participants used a pump and tubes to simulate the cardiovascular system and learn the alterations that occur during the ageing process in a more practical approach. Additionally, the group also showed some information about their participation in the stroke therapy project which aims to develop new therapies to manage stroke.

The group considers that the participation in both events was a great success in public outreaching and engagement since, in total, more than 4000 thousand people participated in our activities and there was always queue for them.

Lab Retreat 2017

On the beginning of this Fall, our group gathered for performing Team Building activities on the Praia Fluvial de S.João do Monte (also known as Praia Fluvial do Paraíso, “Paradise River Beach”) in Caramulo, Tondela. From launching water-balloons and solving labyrinths to building rafts, not only we developed our teamwork, communication, cooperation, leadership, problem-solving, organization and competitive skills, but we also had a very fun and pleasant time by sharing this experience with each other. Afterwards, we all took part of a picnic that was enriched with everyone’s contributions, successfully marking the end of this unforgettable group event.

RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT 2015

Come to enjoy the Researchers’ Night 2015 with us!

The night of September 25th the Biomaterials and Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics Group will also participate in the Researchers’ night with activities about stem cells and biomaterials. The comic book “Uma Aventura Estaminal” will be distribute to the public. You can find the book, both in a Portuguese and in English online flipbook format here. For more information about the activities will be held in Coimbra visit the link.

TEAM BUILDING

Our TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES 2014 in Lousã

The group has visited Candal and Talasnal small villages at Serra da Lousã for team building.
A special acknowledge to Patricia and Catarina for the organization of the event.

RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT 2014

Don’t miss the European Researchers’ Night on Friday, 26 September 2014!

The European Researchers’ Night aims to bring researchers closer to the general public and to increase awareness of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers’ work on citizen’s daily life, and encouraging young people to embark on scientific careers.

For more information about the activities will be held in Coimbra visit the link.

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EUROPEAN NIGHT OF INVESTIGATORS IN COIMBRA

E agora Frankenstein? (And now Frankenstein?)

Since a passionate researcher also needs to be creative, creativity is sometimes expressed in craziness. This summer craziness was expressed in theatre. By this my colleague Cristiana, me and some other scientists, challenged ourselves with theatre. Who said a scientists can´t be a good actor?

The theme of the night of investigators was “Future”. After discussions, we chose to translate the 200 year old story Frankenstein into a contemporary scientific play. We translated it from English to Portuguese and back from Portuguese to English for me. We also translated Frankenstein´s 200 year old problems to the problems we are facing today.

Our Frankenstein is a real womanizer. Together with his friend Claire, he builds up the first creature from body parts he “found” on the cemetery. Besides this relationship he proposed Elizabeth (Cristiana), his cousin, to marry him and to spend their life together. Whatever happened with Elizabeth, Frankenstein is going for the future. With Tuleva (me), his Finnish colleague (which is carrying also Frankie´s baby) he is using stem cell technologies to give the first creature a girlfriend (Noiva). At the end the Creature showed up to get his Noiva, not expecting to meet Claire in the lab which defended the Noiva. The Creature got very furious and killed Claire and the entering Security men. As revenge Frankenstein killed the Noiva. Tuleva completely shocked that he destroyed her work jumped, trying to rescue her cells, but the monstrous Creature was faster, hit her on the head and she fainted. After this spectacular showdown, the Creature disappeared and everything was destroyed.

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cril2

We believe our theatre was a big success. Regarding that our songs, the thunders and all of sudden the awaking creature made a kid running away in tears. Not only serving shocking features, but also advancements in technology and funding. Frankenstein developed in our play from a scientist steeling body parts from the cemetery to a passionate stem cell engineer, supported by European funds.

I want to thank all the people taking part in the theatre, Mario for guiding us and to put the jigsaw together and the Science Museum in Coimbra giving the environment for this event. To play theatre in Portuguese was a great experience for me.

And tell me Frankenstein, o que é agora?

(Joséphine Blersch aka. Tuleva)