PINT OF SCIENCE FESTIVAL
19-21 MAY 2025
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Join us at Leuven central as we continue the Pint of Science 2024 festival. Tonight our scientists are focusing on our bodies and there defences, highlighting how infections transfer from person to person, and even if getting sick could impact our mental health.
Sex is fun, but sexually transmitted infections aren't!
Clément Heymann
PhD Researcher
KU Leuven
Millions of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are reported every year, with 3 out of 4 being incurable. Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) is one of more than 30 different viruses, bacteria and parasites that are linked to the development of STIs. HTLV-1 is also responsible for the development of cancer in immune cells, but it is understudied and poorly diagnosed in regions at risk. The public needs more sexual awareness talks to counteract the spread of STIs. Learn how we study how HTLV-1 spreads and how new treatments can be developed.
In the air tonight: How do respiratory bugs spread between persons?
Joren Raymenants
PhD Researcher
KU Leuven
COVID-19 suddenly made this one of the most important scientific questions to answer. The pandemic put lots of research on the topic in motion. Tune in to see how local researchers approached the question, formulated answers, used insights to reduce the impact of the pandemic in Leuven and elsewhere, and learn what they might mean for different respiratory infections.
Sick and stressed: a story of inflammation and emotions
Dina Satriawan
PhD Researcher
KU Leuven
What do you think of when you hear the word inflammation? For many, it conjures images of sickness, redness, and pain—a natural part of the body's defence against injury or infection. But beyond these visible signs, inflammation has a more insidious side, especially when it comes to our emotions and mental health. Dive into this fascinating scientific journey, where we explore the intricate links between our body's immune system and our mind’s response to stress. It’s a tale that not only highlights the challenges that come with inflammation, but also the potential pathways toward managing it.
