Plants are remarkable organisms that we use for a variety of products, from materials, medicines and cleaning products, to food and fuel. But we can also use plants as biofactories to make some interesting and much needed new products. In this session, Professor George Lomonossoff from the John Innes Centre will tell us about his work using plants to produce virus-like particles - tiny non-infectious nanospheres - which can be used as effective vaccines, and potentially for a variety of other purposes. PhD student Roger Castells-Graells will also bring along a variety of models to explain how these nanostructures form, and you will be able to build your own virus-like Christmas bauble for the Christmas tree!

There will be an opportunity to discuss and explore with George and Roger what other purposes we can find for these nanostructures.

This Norwich Biomakers Meetup will take place in the Tap Room at St Andrews Brewhouse, starting at 7pm.

Image of a polio virus-like particle - the protein coat of the virus. The image was generated by cryo-electron microscopy in a collaborative project including the Lomonossoff lab.

Norwich Biomakers brings together an interdisciplinary network interested in the cross-over of biology with design, technology, engineering, electronics, software, art and much more. The network is a place to learn from each other about the latest technologies and science advances, share ideas and skills and over time shape some project plans. Whether biology provides the question, the solution or the inspiration, as an interdisciplinary group we can explore together to generate new ideas, find solutions and most importantly, have fun!