This year, we have significantly expanded our offer compared to the last Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften: Visitors had the opportunity to get a more detailed picture of our work, as well as that of our cooperation partners such as the German Center for Child and Adolescent Health, at a total of six hands-on stations and information stands. They were able to extract DNA from bananas themselves, take a look through our microscope, have their body composition measured using bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA for short), take part in a smell test or a nutrition quiz. We also offered short presentations from our various research areas - obesity, metabolism and vascular research - and guided tours of our metabolic chambers. One highlight was the station “Discrimination due to Obesity”: The aim of this multi-part station, which we developed in collaboration with psychologists from University of Leipzig Medical Center, was to sensitize visitors to the issue of weight discrimination. As a first step the visitors completed a knowledge quiz on the topic and then had the opportunity to wear a simulation suit with weights to put themselves in the shoes of those affected for a brief moment. Afterwards, we offered the opportunity to reflect on the experience of wearing the suit and discuss it with us.
At the DZD's hands-on station, visitors were able to find out more about type 2 diabetes: At another multi-part station, visitors could find out more about the disease in a knowledge quiz and have their own diabetes risk and body composition measured.
A signature moment of the LNdW for our institute was the awarding of the Leipzig Science Award to the head of the HI-MAG group “Childhood Obesity and Metabolic Research” Prof. Antje Körner.
Since 2008, the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften has been held every two years in Leipzig, at which the University of Leipzig and other universities, various research institutions and science-related companies present themselves. The LNdW serves to present the diverse research landscape of the city of Leipzig to the general public, enabling an exchange with citizens on scientific topics and to create an awareness that science is an important contribution to our society. With a wide range of activities, especially for children, the aim is also to raise and promote young people's interest in science.
Considering the numerous visitors and the feedback on site, the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften was once again a complete success for HI-MAG this year and we look forward to the next event in 2027!