When you consider that, for every cell in your body, there are ten microbial cells – the vast bulk of them living quietly in your gut – you really have to wonder if maybe it's time to start getting to know those neighbors within.
The best way to start is by showing up at our dinner on Tuesday, May 18 to hear speaker David Relman, MD, tell us what scientists have learned about our internal ecosystems. Relman has many a tale to tell – and probably a few top-secret, government-classified secrets that he's sworn not to tell.
Our inner herds of single-celled beasts work hard for their living. Not only do they synthesize vitamins and help us digest food; they also repel pathogens, educate our immune system, and trigger key aspects of our physiological development. What's more, our gut isn't the only place they live. Recent studies show that the patterns of bacteria each of us harbors in our digestive tracts, mouths, throats, ears, and skin, are as unique as fingerprints and can be as sensitive as our fingertips.
Relman, a professor of medicine, microbiology, and immunology at Stanford's School of Medicine and chief of infectious disease at the Veterans' Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, has commandeered state-of-the- art tools of biotechnology to become one of the world's most prolific researchers on our inner flora and fauna. He's hell-bent on learning who they are, what they're up to and how we should treat them in sickness and health. His methods have unearthed thousands of species whose existence couldn't have been shown with standard "yesterday" techniques such as cell culture. Relman's findings have important implications in medicine, forensics, and our evolutionary understanding of our own species.
WHERE:
Basque Cultural Center - Middle Dining Room
599 Railroad Avenue
South San Francisco
Parking is available on-site.
SCHEDULE: :
6:30 pm - No-host happy hour
7:30 pm - Dinner
8:30 pm - Speaker
ABOUT Basque Cultural Center:
The Basque Cultural Center serves French-accented fare in a private banquet room.
Entree choices include:
Salmon with Champagne Sauce
Breast of Chicken Chasseur
Vegetarian Pasta
PAYMENT: The cost is $27 members/$20 students/$31 non-members.
Registration is currently closed for this Dinner
All seats for this dinner are sold-out.
