Physiology Public Lectures

With Physiological Society support we have hosted a number of research-related lectures from visiting academics and present recordings of these events below. These include:

- Dr Michael (Mike) Crawley from Durham University (https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/michael-p-crawley/): 'Ethiopian Running: Folk Physiologies of Altitude and Energy'.

This talk took place as part of Physiology Friday 2021. It was based on Mike's recent book “Out of Thin Air” and chronicled his time embedded in Ethiopian communities for over a year training alongside Ethiopian runners in their native forests and mountains, to explore the secrets of their success - physiologically, socially and competitively! We had around 100 attendees for the lecture, which was great to see, and plenty of audience discussion with Mike.

- Professor Craig Williams from Exeter University (http://sshs.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Craig_Williams): 'Exercise and its role in the management of paediatric chronic diseases'.

A near-full auditorium attended to hear Craig detail two decades and more research undertaken at the Children's Health and Exercise Research centre (http://sshs.exeter.ac.uk/research/childrenshealth/) to explore the impact, and potential benefits, of aerobic exercise in children with cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease.

- Professor David Sheppard, Bristol University (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/people/person/David-Sheppard-004e4bdf-383c-4d34-b3b3-d02f61903994/): 'Cystic Fibrosis: from gene to personalised medicines'

This Physiological Society GL Brown Lecture focussed on the molecular mechanisms underpinning disease development in patients with cystic fibrosis. David described the identification of the affected gene - encoding for the CFTR chloride ion channel - the impact of various mutations on cell and organ physiology, and how this information has been utilised to develop specific drugs to restore function and improve lifespan and quality of life in many individuals affected by cystic fibrosis.

To read more about Physiology Friday, be sure to check out our separate link: https://doi.org/10.25405/data.ncl.19208340

And to hear more about "What is Physiology?", check out our student-led interviews: https://doi.org/10.25405/data.ncl.19235835