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Baffled by Brains? Join our scientist Gemma at Manchester Science Festival.

Wednesday 25 October 2017

DEMENTIA is now the world’s biggest global health challenge, according to the G8 group of nations, but what is it and how can we tackle it?

At Pi: Baffled by Brains at Manchester Science Festival, this Saturday 28 October, researchers from the University of Salford’s Biomedical Research Centre and Institute for Dementia will be explaining all.

How do our brains work? What happens when they breakdown? And how might research here in Manchester/Salford prevent brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s?

The Pi platform for investigation, at the Museum of Science & Industry, sponsored by Siemens, gives festival-goers the chance to meet people carrying out the most cutting-edge research in the UK.


What research? 

Visitors can take part in immersive and interactive activities which showcase the brain’s function and dysfunction and pose questions about the latest research to the scientists themselves.

Heading the University of Salford’s ‘platform’ is Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan, lecturer in molecular biology who is heading a series of studies into the causes of dementia looking at proteins, fats and even parasites as catalysts for brain cells death which leads to dementia.

Holder also of an Alzheimer’s Research UK grant to explore Frontotemporal dementia, which affects younger people, Gemma spoke to us on camera to explain more.