PINT OF SCIENCE FESTIVAL
19-21 MAY 2025
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Pint of Science 2024 is live at Belgaleiro as our experts take us on a journey through our bodies. From virus outbreaks to the wonders of the womb, and finally why size really does matter.
Going Viral: Outbreaks, Antivirals and Vaccines
Dirk Jochmans
Research Manager
Rega Institute, KU Leuven
Viruses are everywhere and we recently learned they can spiral out of control. But which viruses are the most dangerous? And which will cause the next pandemic? What can we do to fight them? Or can we not simply eradicate them? In a world where the next viral outbreak looms as a constant threat, we need to work on our defences in peacetime. Learn about the antiviral drugs that our group created in the past and discover the technologies that are used today in the hunt for more antivirals and vaccines.
Wonders of the womb: lessons from research on embryos!
Margo Daems
PhD Researcher
KU Leuven
The use of mouse embryos in research has long been a controversial topic that often results in an ethical debate. So why do we continue to use embryos in research? And how do they help us in scientific research that has absolutely nothing to do with development itself? If you have always been curious about how exactly embryos develop and why they are invaluable for scientific research, join us in Belgaleiro on the 13th of May and come find out for yourself!
Hardness & size matter! How food texture and structure affect energy intake and glucose response
Georgia Chatonidi
PhD Researcher
KU Leuven
Eating pace is a crucial factor influencing satiation, satiety, and overall energy intake. When we chew our food more thoroughly, resulting in a slower eating pace, we tend to feel fuller and consume fewer calories. However, maintaining a conscious effort to eat slowly and chew thoroughly in our daily lives can be challenging. The good news is that there's a simple way to naturally slow down our eating pace: by selecting food textures and shapes that inherently require more chewing.
