On September 4 & 5, 2021, the Scientifica - Zurich Science Days took place, during which ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich show the public trough stands and several event formats their research. The NCCR RNA & Disease participated for the fourth time to the Scientifica with a stand, which was on "mRNA-Translation – a central process for mRNA vaccines and SARS-CoV-2".
At the NCCR's booth the visitors could in the form of a challenge translate mRNA into the corresponding first 20 amino acids of the SARS-CoV-spike protein. Furthermore, they could learn more about translation and the NCCR research on ribosome inhition by NSP1 and the frameshifting occuring during translation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome using a translation puzzle, a 3D printed ribosome and NSP1 protein and a translation puzzle. As well, they could play the RNA eater game, have a look at a BSL3 protection suite, explore the Molecool website and watch the "No Denial" movie as well as the five short portrait films of NCCR female researchers filmed in the context of the NCCRWomen campaign.
The NCCR was one of three selected stands at Hönggerberg to be featured in the Facebook livestream, which is linked below.
The NCCR managment would like to thank everybody who contributed to the NCCR's stand presentation as well as the organizers of the Scientifica.
Link to the Scientifica NCCR stand website
Watch a tour of the NCCR stand on Facebook
Watch the NCCR Women Campaing portrait videos of the NCCR RNA & Disease researchers