Events 2001 - 2002
Events 2001 - 2002 |
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Fête la Terre (Cernier) - August 22-25, 2002Looking back…NCCR Plant Survival was invited to present some of its activities during the local festival Fête la Terre (August 22 to 25) in Cernier (NE), a popular annual event that attracts several thousands visitors every year. The participating NCCR scientists displayed the theme ‘La plante dans tous ses états’ in a light and playful way. The successful exercise in science popularisation enabled the public to discover how plants deal with various stresses to ensure their survival. An appropriate topic on the eve of grape harvest was the presentation of grape varieties resistant to mildew, a serious fungal disease. The young researchers from the University of Neuchâtel also showed how it’s possible to extract DNA from tomato, using common household ingredients such as salt, lemon juice, detergent and alcohol. Other topics were how genes move from wild plant species to cultivated plants, the use of chromatography to separate molecules responsible for plant growth, and how plants organise themselves to fight against fungal toxins. Feedback of participants and picturesMollah Md. Hamiduzzaman (Hamid), PhD student: "It was a very pleasant gathering, with a diverse public made up of kids, teenagers, farmers and older people. I discovered just how much the Swiss love grapevines. Visitors were able to observe symptoms of downy mildew, not only with the naked eye, but under the microscope as well. I strongly recommend this type of exposition that brings researchers, farmers and consumers closer together." Laurent Barnavon, postdoc: "In my opinion, the DNA extraction from the tomato was very interesting. It attracted non-scientific people who took the opportunity to see what DNA is all about and also to inquire about GMO’s, each with their own views on the subject. I even spotted some biology teachers who wanted to know more on the subject so they could present it to their students." Bernard Jean-Denis, PhD student: "Despite the highly technical aspect of the subject that I was presenting (chromatography), I noticed that by using analogies in our explanations we are able to interest a large number of people. In this case, the similarities that exist between separating either the colours from a product or the components in a chemical solution." Nicola Schoenenberger, PhD student: "The controversy surrounding GMO’s is still often debated on an emotional level and extreme opinions and prejudices are in plentiful supply. I appreciated the fact that we were able to initiate dialogues with the public in all objectivity. We felt that there was a need for impartial information that was not a publicity stunt for a certain cause."
Press releasePress release: french version only - version française |
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