As part of Science Comes To Town (SCTT), the Kiel Research Workshop has developed a special public program: on every second-to-last Thursday of the month, the teaching and learning laboratory opens its doors to visitors.

On 18 June, everyone interested will have the opportunity to explore DNA in the laboratory from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. using classical molecular biology techniques.

Every cell in our body contains the complete genetic blueprint, consisting of approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes and extensive regulatory regions distributed across 46 chromosomes. But how does a muscle cell, for example, know which of these genes it needs for its specific function?

Together with life:labor, you can find out by diving into the field of epigenetics. Epigenetics is a regulatory mechanism that allows genes to be selectively switched on and off depending on the cell type, environmental conditions, and lifestyle factors.