From worms to stem cells: Talk gives peek into science of tissue regeneration

There are reports in the news that scientists are attempting to grow human organs in the laboratory, to use 3D printing to replicate tissues, and to tap into the regenerative power of stem cells.

The science behind the headliines will be discussed in Tissue Regeneration, the next offering in the Science in the News series of free public lectures presented by Yale Science Diplomats. The talk will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St.

Yale Science Diplomats is a group of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are dedicated to making science fun and accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. In their presentations, the group members (and invited researchers) deconstruct complex scientific topics and explain them in a way that is easy to understand.

In Tissue Regeneration, for instance, participants will learn about planaria, tiny worms that can be cut into hundreds of pieces and still regenerate a whole new worm (some live planaria will be on hand). The presentation will also look at cutting-edge research in regeneration biology and how how scientists are working to translate it from the lab to the clinic.

Yale Science Diplomats aims to provide people with a better understanding of the science underpinning many of the complex issues featured in the news every day; to attract students to STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics); and to help policymakers make well-informed decisions on issues related to science. The group members also give presentations at elementary and high school classes in the community and work with teachers to develop hands-on curricula for their classrooms.

The next offerings in the Science in the News series will be: The Origin of Life (March 25), GMOs (April 29), and Quantum Computing (May 27).

For more information, visit the Yale Science Diplomats website.

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From worms to stem cells: Talk gives peek into science of tissue regeneration