Thursday
, 4th February 2010, 7.00pm


Building Brains
Professor Steve Furber, ICL Professor of Computer Engineering
University of Manchester

Computer systems have progressed spectacularly over the last 60 years but there are physical limitsto how much further this progress can take us. Professor Furber will discuss these limits and describe current research that may deliver insights into how brains work and how these insights may enable us to build   better computers in the future.

Geoffrey Manton Building, MMU, Oxford Road, Manchester

-------------------------------------------------------------------------


Wednesday, 10 February 2010, 7.00pm

Science, Liberality and Good Taste -

The Manchester Botanic Garden

Dr Ann Brooks

In June 1831, The Manchester Botanic Garden was opened for the scientific study of botany and horticulture and the recreation of its members.  What has happened to this garden, a garden that few remember today?

MANDEC, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Monday, 15th February 2010,  7.00pm

PERCIVAL LECTURE : Cell Division and the Quest for Novel Anti-Cancer Drugs

Professor Stephen Taylor, Researcher of the Year, 2009

Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester

One of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs is Taxol, a compound originally identified from the bark of the Pacific Yew Tree.  In addition to its therapeutic properties, Taxol has helped us understand some of the basic molecular mechanisms which underlie cell division.  This talk will explain how Taxol kills human tumour cells and how this information is being used to create the next generation of anti-cancer drugs.


Whitworth Hall, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE JOULE LECTURE

Wednesday, 24h February 2010,  7.00pm

Bullets, Particles, Photons and Politics

Professor Ian Munro

Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Manchester

A History of the X-ray work of Daresbury Laboratories .

Prof Ian Munro led the work of the Synchroton facilities at Daresbury for several decades. Ian will highlight significant discoveries and findings that have occurred as a consequence of the investigations by Daresbury based and visiting researchers.


MANDEC, Higher Cambridge Street Manchester

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Top of Page