“United by Science” - 20th anniversary of the Long Night of the Sciences Dresden

Getting smart until midnight. Explore, laugh, research, and discuss together. Thousands of visitors took advantage of this opportunity at several hundred events in Dresden's scientific institutes. The 21st Long Night of Science Dresden was once again a complete success, despite the rivalry with soccer. And of course, the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the German Center for Diabetes Research was once again right in the middle of it all with a diabetes information stand.

"United by Science" was the motto of the 21st Long Night of Science, during which Dresden's universities, non-university research institutions and science-related companies opened their buildings, laboratories, lecture halls and archives to the public on June 14. Despite the strong rival "UEFA EURO 2024 opening match", the people of Dresden were once again very hungry for knowledge. Many thousands of visitors took the opportunity to experience science and technology, research and innovation, art and culture in a variety of lectures, experiments, guided tours, exhibitions and films.

In keeping with tradition, the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) once again took part in this great event series with a variety of activities. Between 5 p.m. and midnight, around 2300 science enthusiasts of all ages visited the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), where the PLID information booth was located. The visitors took the opportunity to find out about the scientists' current research activities in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

In addition, the PLID researchers offered various hands-on activities such as taste experiments and a "sugar quiz" at the information booth. Visitors were able to watch self-produced videos explaining the intracellular processes in a beta cell after it had been exposed to a glucose stimulus, or practise pipetting colored sugar solutions.

Another highlight was Lisa-Marie Kretschmer's science slam presentation "Bisschen Zucker", in which she told the story of a lady who learns in hospital that she has diabetes. Lisa explained in a sensitive and understandable way what the disease is all about and how it can be treated or even prevented.