Afternoon of fun and scientific discovery

/EINPresswire.com/ -- CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - November 23, 2015) - The University of Calgary's Department of Biological Sciences is inviting the public to an afternoon of discovery and creativity, exploring the many ways that plants impact our lives. This family-friendly event will feature hands-on discovery sessions, where visitors of all ages can learn more about the amazing capabilities of plants, from investigating how plants are used to make medicines and chemicals like rubber, to learning their roles as environmental remediators and natural detoxifiers.

At pop-up laboratories, everyone can take part in hands-on activities like extracting DNA from strawberries, creating plant-based crafts, and peering through microscopes to learn about the research and seeing bacterial glow! Visitors will also learn how scientists analyze plant DNA, and how controlled drugs are detected at airports.

As part of the afternoon's events, Peter Facchini, professor of biochemistry, will be leading a free public talk about the science and perception of the opium poppy. Understanding the unique genetic and biochemical machinery of the opium poppy has been the focus of Facchini's research at the University of Calgary for over 20 years. He has uncovered many of the key genes that allow the plant to produce important medicines. Recently, these genes have been transferred to baker's yeast, which could one day be used in place of the plant to produce opiate drugs.

For more information, visit bio.ucalgary.ca.

What:  Biological Sciences discovery sessions and public lecture.           
                                                                            
Who:   Peter Facchini, Department of Biological Sciences, University of     
       Calgary; Department of Biological Sciences researchers and students  
                                                                            
Where: Energy, Environment and Experiential Learning (EEEL) Building on the 
       University of Calgary Main Campus                                    
       Discovery Sessions will be held in the lobby. Public lecture to be   
       held in EEEL 161.                                                    
                                                                            
When:  Saturday, November 28, 2015                                          
       Discovery Sessions from 2 - 5 p.m.                                   
       Public lecture from 3 - 4 p.m.                                       
                                                                            
Cost:  Free                                                                 

About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is making tremendous progress on its journey to become one of Canada's top five research universities, where research and innovative teaching go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.'

For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. Stay up to date with University of Calgary news headlines on Twitter @UCalgary. For details on faculties and how to reach experts go to our media centre at ucalgary.ca/news/media.

Media Contact
Gloria Visser-Niven
Director, Marketing and Communications, Faculty of Science
University of Calgary
W: 587-896-3891
gvissern@ucalgary.ca

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