More than 150 employees from scientific departments, research groups, technology development and service units, as well as from administration and infrastructure, actively participated in the program of the 12th Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften. “It is particularly important to us that we not only bring new insights to the world, but also pass on our findings to interested laypeople, for example at events such as the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften,” says Prof. Florian Marquardt, Managing Director of MPL.

Science enthusiasts from across the metropolitan region took the opportunity to experience how new knowledge is created directly in our high-tech laboratories as our researchers offered unique insights into their work. Visitors were able to witness how state-of-the-art photonic crystal fibers are drawn at MPL and how new tools for science are created using glass melting and 3D printing. During lab tours at both locations, they learned more about proteins and hydrogels, micro- and nanostructuring, new evolution-based therapies for cancer, immune cells in gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer, luminescent cells and nanomechanical forces, and the development of the nervous system.

The high-caliber lectures were also a crowd-puller, with our speakers presenting the complex topics in a way that was easy for the public to understand and entertaining. The topics of the keynote speeches ranged from detecting diseases in the blood to the role of physics in new cancer therapies, sound computers and quantum sound, artificial intelligence, and quantum computers – all under the cover of this year’s 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics.

The positive response and numerous interested discussions show how great the public interest in our research is – a wonderful sign of the lively connection between science and society.

Further impressions of the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften at MPL and MPZPM can be found here.

Photos © MPL, Susanne Viezens