Science Pub: Perils & Promise of Cannibal Cells
At Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 18 E. Ortega Street
The immune system defends our bodies against infection and disease. Macrophages are the professional “big eaters” of the immune system. Their ability to consume dead or worn-out cells is essential, but mutations can hyperactivate this cannibalistic behavior and cause problems. Can this bad behavior be harnessed for good?
Ph.D. candidate Melanie Rodriguez studies immune cells at the Denise Montell Lab in UCSB’s Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department. In this free talk, she’ll explain how the lab is working to harness hyperactive cellular cannibalism to treat cancer.
Join our fun and friendly conversation and quench your thirst for knowledge about science and nature in this ongoing series of free science talks held on the second Monday of every month. No tickets or reservations required, but be sure to get to Dargan’s (18 E. Ortega St. in downtown Santa Barbara) early to secure a seat and order your favorite food and drink.
Questions? Contact Clay Sipiora at csipiora@sbnature2.org for more information.
