GENIE public engagement lectures to take place on Mar. 12

If you have ever wondered why a curry feels hot, or about the risks of inherited disease, two eminent experts will give you an answer at a University of Leicester public event.

The next GENIE public engagement lectures take place on Tuesday 12th March from 6.30pm. These are the sixth in a popular series of accessible public lectures aimed at making genetics and cutting edge research done at the University of Leicester easier to understand. 

You might bite off more than you can chew with the first talk: Dr Blair Grubb, who is Head of the University's Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, will present an interactive lecture explaining the science of the Red Hot Chilli Pepper!

Chilli peppers produce a warm, and sometimes unpleasant, sensation in the mouth when eaten as part of a meal. In the last 10 years the active "hot" ingredient of chilli peppers has been used as a tool to reveal the molecular mechanism by which painful thermal sensations are detected in sensory nerves.

To follow, Dr Julian Barwell's talk will concentrate on how we can work together to raise the awareness of inherited diseases in the community and improve access to services.  He will then go on to discuss how modern advances in technology are improving the way we support and protect families affected with cancer.

Dr Barwell is a consultant in clinical genetics at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and senior lecturer in cancer genetics at the University of Leicester. 

Dr Aneela Majid, one of the organisers said, "Our last event was attended by over 120 people, 85% of whom asked to be contacted for future events.

"The feedback we have had from the previous events has been fantastic and shows not only that there is an appetite for these kinds of events, but that we, as a University are reaching out and engaging the public successfully."