Events

The Great Ideas of Biology

Royal Institution of Great Britain
Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS, UK
26 March 2010 - 8pm-9.15pm

A discussion introduced by Professor Paul Nurse - President of the Rockefeller University, Head of the Laboratory of Yeast Genetics and Cell Biology, and joint recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2001.

The discussion will focus on great ideas in biology that have changed the way we think about science. Three of these ideas are the gene theory, the theory of evolution by natural selection, and the proposal that the cell is the fundamental unit of all life. When considering the question 'what is life?' these ideas come together, because the special way cells reproduce provides the conditions whereby natural selection takes place, allowing living organisms to evolve. Other notable ideas are the theory that the organisation of chemistry within the cell provides explanations for life's phenomena, and the theory of biological self-organisation.

Attendance is restricted to members of the Royal Institution of Great Britain and their guests. Attendance is free for full members and Faraday members, otherwise the attendance fee is £10 for associate members and £15 for guests. To register, use this online form or contact the Royal Institution of Great Britain at or on +44 (0)20 7409 2992.

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Find out more about genetics in The Rough Guide to Genes and Cloning, coauthored by BioNews Contributing Editor Dr Jess Buxton (buy this book from Amazon UK or Amazon USA); and find out more about fertility/embryology regulation in Human Fertilisation and Embryology: Reproducing Regulation, coedited by BioNews Contributing Editor Dr Kirsty Horsey (buy this book from Amazon UK or Amazon USA).

Further details of this event are available on the Royal Institution of Great Britain website.