The NCCR RNA & Disease at the Scientifica 2021
On September 4 & 5, 2021, the Scientifica - Zurich Science Days took place, during which ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich showed the public trough stands and several event formats their research. The NCCR RNA & Disease participated for the fourth time to the Scientifica with a stand, which was for this edition on "mRNA-Translation – a central process for mRNA vaccines and SARS-CoV-2".
At the NCCR's booth the visitors could in the form of a challenge translate mRNA into the corresponding first 20 amino acids of the SARS-CoV-spike protein. The winners of the challenge were sent a Molecool webcam cover after the Scientifica. Furthermore, they could learn more about translation and the NCCR research on ribosome inhibition by NSP1 and the frameshifting occurring during translation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome using a translation puzzle, a 3D printed ribosome & NSP1 protein and also inspecting the structure with a 3D visualization system. As well, they could play the RNA eater game, have a look at a BSL3 protection suite, explore the Molecool website and watch the "No Denial" short movie as well as the five short portrait films of NCCR female researchers filmed in the context of the NCCRWomen campaign.
The NCCR was one of three selected stands at Hönggerberg to be featured in the Facebook livestream. Click here to see Adrian Bothe from the Ban lab presenting the NCCR stand during the Facebook Live stream.
We would like to thank very much the persons involved in the NCCR’s booth as well as the organizers and staff of the Scientifica!
Participating Groups:
- Nenad Ban, ETH Zurich
- David Gatfield, University of Lausanne
- Stefanie Jonas, ETH Zurich
- Ulrike Kutay, ETH Zurich
- Oliver Mühlemann, University of Bern
- Volker Thiel, IVI & University of Bern
Concept & Coordination:
- Dominik Theler, ETH Zurich and University of Bern