One of CIBSS's key objectives is to inspire young scientists to take an interest in the natural sciences and, in particular, in the signalling research conducted by CIBSS. Once again, interested pupils from all over Baden-Württemberg visited us as part of the Kulturakademie to spend a day getting to know methods of molecular and synthetic biology under expert guidance and to gain an insight into the mechanisms of cells, genes and proteins that are invisible to the human eye.

The 21 pupils from lower and middle school were able to experience first-hand how to analyse immune cells under a laser, selectively switch off genes in DNA, and how tiny molecules can be made visible under a microscope. They were supervised by motivated doctoral students and staff from the participating laboratories. The pupils were allowed to operate the microscope themselves, supply cells in culture dishes with new nutrient medium under sterile conditions, and isolate DNA from their own oral mucosa. In a final discussion, the young signalling scientists took turns presenting the experiments they had carried out and the insights they had gained to their peers.

The visit took place as part of the MINT section (MINT: mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) of the Kulturakademie, which is coordinated by Science & Technologie gGmbH. The Kulturakademie is sponsored by the Stiftung Kinderland Baden-Württemberg and gives particularly interested and talented students an insight behind the scenes of various research institutions.