Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Four Cafe Scientifiques are planned in 2012-2013 by the Office of Vice-President (Research and International). The four Cafes cover important contemporary issues of broad interest to the public: tuberculosis, HIV AIDS, epigenetics, and drug discovery. Each panel has a minimum of two CIHR-funded researchers. Audiences include: public interested in the topic and bookstore clients at the time of the event. Community organizations are represented on the panels wherever possible. Each Cafe is promoted to target audiences such as associations, organizations and support groups. The Cafes: Tuberculosis: The Hidden Epidemic - We explore, through the lens of research the story behind the numbers - how socioeconomic, environmental, biologic and cultural factors are affecting the growing incidence of TB in Canadian communities and how we fit into the global context. HIV AIDS in Manitoba - Every year in Manitoba over 100 new cases of HIV are diagnosed. Discussion will include the latest prevention strategies being used to address Manitoba's growing HIV AIDS cases and the status of the development of a vaccine to prevent the disease that has global implications. Nature and Nurture: The New Science of Epigenetics - Epigenetics steps in where mapping the human genome left off. Nature says much of who we are, is genetics and written in our DNA. Nurture (or epigenetics) says that our life experience cannot re-write the DNA code but can modify how it is used and increase or decrease our health risks. Find out how understanding epigenetics may allow us to monitor and perhaps control our health destiny. Drug Discovery: The 21st century petri dish - The demand for new antibiotics and anticancer drugs is an urgent focus, given antibiotic resistance and the need to tailor our fight against diseases. Learn about the challenges and rewards of current drug discovery research and the implications for health.