On the next Monday, May 8th, at 11 am, the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra will host the launch of the book "Malfunctions of the Energy Factory", written by Professor and researcher from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra (FMUC) and the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC), Manuela Grazina.

The new science communication work aims to take readers on an adventure through the world of mitochondria, the energy factories of the human body, presenting scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner about rare diseases that particularly affect these "power plants" of human cells, such as Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON).

The book was developed as part of the science communication project "Mit.OnOff", funded by the EEA Grants Portugal, which brought together the University of Coimbra (UC) and the University of Bergen (Norway) with the aim of disseminating and promoting scientific knowledge about mitochondria, highlighting their importance for health and well-being, and fostering scientific literacy in society.

"We are very excited about the presentation of this book, which is the result of multidisciplinary and transnational collaborative work. It is a unique opportunity to disseminate scientific knowledge in an accessible and attractive way for all ages, arousing interest in science from an early age. The publication of this book fulfills my dream of 10 years to provide a science communication tool free of charge, which is of great importance for educators, healthcare professionals, patients, and their families as a science and health literacy tool in the field of mitochondrial diseases, which are rare but have a significant impact. The aim is to give a voice to patients through Science," says the book's author and leader of the "Mit.OnOff" project, Manuela Grazina.

The book launch will be attended by Manuela Grazina; Laurence Bindoff, neurologist and professor at the University of Bergen and partner of the project in Norway; Delfim Leão, vice-rector for Culture, Communication, and Open Science at UC; Paulo Trincão, director of the Science Museum of UC; Carlos Santos, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC); Manuel Teixeira Veríssimo, president of the Central Region Section of the Order of Physicians; Luís Pereira de Almeida, president of CNC-UC; Luísa Diogo, coordinator of the Center for Reference of Hereditary Metabolic Diseases at CHUC; Carlos Robalo Cordeiro, director of FMUC; and Inês Prazeres, illustrator of the book.

During the session, free copies of the book will be distributed, which will be further distributed throughout the country.

Participation in the event is free, but subject to prior registration using the form https://bit.ly/3LvJxBC.
 
More information about the “Mit.OnOff” project here.
 

Carolina Caetano & Catarina Ribeiro