do 04 sep
|The Book Nook
From a Single Cell to a Complex Life Form: Unraveling the Mysteries of Developmental Biology - Dr. Josef Capua
From a single cell to a complete, living organism—how does nature pull it off? This talk explores the wild world of developmental biology: from mutant frogs to plant tricks, and the science that might one day grow us new organs. Language: English.
Time & Location
04 sep 2025, 19:30 – 21:00
The Book Nook, Singel 82, 1015 AC Amsterdam, Netherlands
About the talk
From a Single Cell to a Complex Life Form: Unraveling the Mysteries of Developmental Biology
One of nature’s greatest wonders is the transformation of a single fertilised egg into a complete, intricately organised, and fully functioning organism. Developmental biology is the scientific field dedicated to uncovering how this amazing transformation occurs through the interplay of genes, hormones, physical forces, and more.
What can alien-looking mutants and two-headed frogs teach us about how our own bodies take shape?
How is the animal strategy for development different from the plant one, and how can we benefit from this?
How far are we from growing injured organs and curing cancer?
In this talk, we’ll explore some of the most captivating discoveries and ongoing challenges in the field, as we delve into one of life’s greatest mysteries.
Dr. Josef Capua is a plant developmental geneticist exploring how genes and hormones interact to shape plant form and structure. Using tools from classical Mendelian genetics to advanced genome editing, he investigates the mechanisms behind plant architecture—and invites you to discover the cutting edge of modern biology.
Doors open at 18:45 – Arrive early, grab a seat, and settle in.
Talk starts at 19:30 and runs until around 21:00.
Price includes light drinks.
Stick around afterward—good conversations don’t have closing times.
