The Long Night of Sciences

After a break due to COVID, the Long Night of Sciences at the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens took place on Saturdays June 17, 2023 and June 22, 2024.

At these events, the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens (MPUSP) welcomed hundreds of visitors to the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Long Night of Sciences, in collaboration with the German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ) and the Max-Planck Institute for Infection Biology (MPIIB), which are housed in the same building as MPUSP on the Charité’s Campus in Berlin-Mitte, near the Futurium and Berlin’s Medical History Museum.

We had an information stand where visitors could learn about bacteria, CRISPR, our institute and our research, a career panel for those wishing to pursue a career in science, a kids’ corner for young minds curious to learn about microbiology in an educational yet fun way, sessions to meet the scientists, a science slam, and lab tours where visitors got a peek behind the curtain into the daily life of a scientist at MPUSP, including bacterial research, hands-on lab work, and the importance of bioinformatics.

Kids’ Corner – Learning about microbiology through art projects and fun games (in English & German)
For inquisitive minds, the Kids' Corner offered hands-on activities that let them learn about cells, bacteria and DNA through art projects and fun games, and test their skills with real laboratory equipment. 

Lab Tours – A peek behind the curtain (in English & German)
During tours through our laboratories, visitors were able observe experiments on small molecules and microbes, giving them a better understanding of the methods used to study bacteria and their DNA.

 

Meet the Scientists – An Interactive Discussion with the Scientists of MPUSP (in English)
The Scientists of MPUSP gave a brief presentation and then opened the floor for a Q&A with the audience about the day-to-day work of a microbiologist: goals, challenges and rewards.

Career Panel – An Interactive Discussion with the Scientists of MPUSP, MPIIB & DRFZ (in English & German)
Researchers working in the fields of immunology, infection biology, pathogens and rheumatology spoke about their career paths in science and answered questions from students interested in a science career.

Science Slam – Of Humans and Microbes (in English & German)
Five young scientists, three institutes, one house trophy! The Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, the German Rheumatism Research Center and the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens are conducting research under one roof. In 2023, the Science Slam participants were joined by special guest Lisa Budzinski, the reigning national Science Slam champion. In our Science Slam, everyone was a winner!

Practical information
Approximately 60 other institutions in Berlin and Potsdam presented their work with over 1,000 program offerings. Have a look at the entire programs and lists of locations on the Long Night of Sciences website.