''Meet the Liver Scientist' at Birmingham's Thinktank, 22nd October 2012
"Crazy Experiments and Gooey Madness: Science is FUN!"
That was the message scientists and nurses from the NIHR Birmingham Liver BRU and Centre for Liver Research were passing on at Birmingham’s Thinktank museum. The team are passionate about showing that science is fun and their enthusiasm was very infectious. Hundreds of children had the opportunity to dress up like a scientist and take part in real experiments. They learnt how the liver works and why we need it, felt a mock scarred (cirrhotic) liver, participated in games, made badges and asked questions to doctors, nurses or scientists.
Adults took part in games that highlighted the hidden calories in drinks from coffee shops – even the so-called ‘low fat’ options! They also had the opportunity to show how well they know their alcohol by measuring a unit of wine, beer and spirits. Unsurprisingly, most over-estimated a unit and poured twice the actual amount!
L-R: Nurse Sharon Wyatt showing children where body organs live, and Dr Janine Youster, Scientist, undertaking REAL experiments with a willing volunteer!
Seminar on Current Liver Research and Trials, 20th September 2012
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) are the research side of the NHS, it funds many initiatives throughout the UK and is driving research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients.The NIHR Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit hosted a free seminar on the 20th September 2012 focussing on some current studies funded by the NIHR. If you missed this seminar and would us to host another, then please let us know. You can still view a summary of the talks* in a PDF document. Academics (researchers), clinicians (medical doctors) and members of the public attended and talks were suitable for all levels of knowledge. The presentations on current clinical trials were fascinating and a great deal of questions and interest were raised by members of the public who were present.
University of Birmingham’s FREE Community Day, 10th June 2012
Each year the University welcomes everyone from the local community to visit our campus and find out what we do, as well as take part in some fun activities. Outside there were bungee robes, a myriad of giant inflatables, mini golf course, helter skelter, rock climbing wall and fairground stands.
Inside the Aston Webb Great Hall, our liver stand had lots of hands-on, gooey and interesting science activities to fascinate, captivate and stimulate brains of all ages, and which showed the diverse range of liver research undertaken at the University. T here were also informal discussion sessions on ethics and the role of stem cells, presented by Prof Jon Frampton and Dr Phil Newsome. The next free Community Day is on the 9th June 2013
Research Open Day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 9th March 2012
The NIHR Birmingham Liver BRU and Centre for Liver Research once again took part in this popular annual event. Many visitors came and tried our 'guess the units' game and learnt just how many calories there are in alcohol! Visitors also learnt more about our research.
Big BangEvent at the NEC, Birmingham, 17th March 2012
This event was aimed at children aged 5-18 years to show how exciting science and engineering can be. 29,000 children attended, many of whom were fuelled up on the free sweets being handed out. Our activities included an ‘I’m A Celebrity’ style box where children could blindly feel a normal liver compared to a cirrhotic liver (actually jelly filled with popcorn in!). Children learnt where organs live on our speical organ tunic, and found out learnt why Homer Simpson may have a liver problem!