Open doors at the ZIK Septomics

The Long Night of Sciences took place for the sixth time in Jena on November 24, 2017. ZIK Septomics also took part again and opened its doors to interested visitors.

To be a researcher for one evening... this was possible in the laboratories of ZIK Septomics.

Our guests produced blood smears themselves and the scientists showed the immune cells of the blood under the microscope and explained their functions. Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae - a harmless relative of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans - were marked with fluorescent dye and thus made visible as green glowing cells under the microscope.

Those who didn't want to put on a lab coat could have a look at three important sepsis pathogens under the microscope (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans) and could find out where these pathogens occur, what their properties are and under what conditions they can become dangerous for humans.

Even our youngest visitors didn't miss out: They simply crafted their own bacteria as a little souvenir for themselves at home. Whether dangerous or friendly, there was no limit to the imagination.

Those who thought they were really fit in sepsis could test their knowledge with a sepsis quiz. Posters with current facts about sepsis and with the research topics of the four working groups at the ZIK provided the most important information. And of course, the ZIK Septomics researchers were also happy to provide assistance.

Despite the abundant rain, nearly 350 visitors found their way to the ZIK Septomics and were pipetting, microscoping, crafting and riddling and were informed about sepsis, a frequent but still little known and often fatal disease.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who spent this exciting night with us!