What do scientific issues in the news mean to you? Find out through honest dialogue with those in the know about the most intriguing and controversial subjects of our time. Sit, relax, listen and question. We provide the experts - you bring an open mind.

These events are free and take place at Herbie's Restaurant, (formerly Balaban's) at 405 North Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108 (map). Seating is limited.  Beverages and food will be available for purchase before and after the speaker's presentation. Program begins promptly at 7 p.m.

 
Presented in collaboration with Maryville University and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Nanomedicine is the study and application of therapeutic and diagnostic tools to human diseases at size scales that are 10-100 times smaller than a red blood cell. This research is underway trying to find more effective treatments for patients with heart disease, cancer and other ailments by Dr. Sam Wickline, Professor of Medicine, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology and Physiology; Director, Washington University Consortium for Translational Research in Advanced Imaging and Nanomedicine. Dr. Wickline will describe how therapies are being developed to deliver medicines in torpedo-like fashion to disease sites in the human body.

July 19, 2012: Mapping a Garden: Using GIS Technology to Manage a Living Museum
Rebecca Sucher, Coordinator of Plant Records/Applications at the Missouri Botanical Garden

August
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September
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October 18, 2012: Conservation Medicine: What Is It, Why Care About It and How Can It Help With the Survival of Species?
Sharon Deem, DVM, PhD, Director, Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine

Dr. Sharon Deem, Director of the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, will be speaking on the exciting new field of Conservation Medicine. Sharon will define Conservation Medicine, talk about the current global conditions that led to the establishment of Conservation Medicine and give examples on why this holistic approach to health care is imperative for endangered species’ conservation and public health. Based on studies conducted by staff at the Saint Louis Zoo and her 25 years of work in veterinary medicine and conservation, Dr. Deem will talk about how the conservation of species is increasingly challenged by diseases and give examples of efforts to minimize negative impacts from disease. Additionally, Sharon will cover how emerging diseases in humans are often linked to environmental changes and the increased interaction between humans and wildlife from actions such as the bushmeat trade.