Tuesday, January 26, 2010

On January 26, 2010, the University of British Columbia Life Sciences Institute hosted the inaugural LSI Café Scientifique. Over 40 students, faculty, and interested community members gathered for an informal and participatory dialogue with UBC experts on the topic of “Diabetes: Causes, Consequences and Cures?” The venue, Café Perugia, provided the perfect setting for an opportunity to learn about the latest ideas and breakthroughs in life sciences research and technology in a relaxed and casual setting.

The Café featured members of the LSI Diabetes Research Group, who are studying both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Professors Timothy Keefer and Suzanne Clee, both from the Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, provided an overview of current challenges and strategies that are being used to determine what causes diabetes and new treatments that are being explored. Professor Roger Brownsey, Head of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, served as moderator.

Upcoming Café topics include Flu Pandemic and Cancer. The LSI Café Scientifique is co-sponsored by the Life Sciences Institute, CIHR, MSFHR, Faculty of Medicine Research Office and Café Perugia (UBC Food Services).