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| French cell biologists passionate about communication
French cell biologists Christian Sardet and Ali Saib are joint winners of the 2007 EMBO Award for Communication in the Life Sciences. The two recipients present science in a unique format that is both enlightening and entertaining, a key requirement in winning the award. Using different media, they have produced resources for researchers, as well as for teaching and communicating science to the broad community. Professor Ali Saib of the University of Paris 7 receives the award in recognition of his steadfast interest in communicating scientific material to the public and students of all ages. He initiated a project to educate young people in the inner city of Marseille on infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and STD. Following its success, he established an innovative project named ’Les Apprentis-Chercheur’ – novice researchers, an action of ‘L’arbre des connaissances’ - the tree of knowledge, an association he founded. Through collaboration with universities and research institutes, the project allows undergraduate students to visit research labs and work with scientists to bridge the gap between science and society. Saib recently collaborated with FRANCE 5 as scientific author on a film project on the merging world of viruses to raise public awareness on this complex but critically important field. The documentary ‘Dr Virus and Mr. Hyde’ received the Grand Prize at the International Festival of Science Documentaries and the Science Prize at the International Festival of SCOOP and Journalism. Saib says of his work, “Communicating life sciences to the public and especially to youngsters should be part of our daily job. This is important both to give them the minimal scientific tools for understanding our world and future challenges and to recreate a link between scientists and society. Such an effort should also be considered when evaluating researchers' activities." Dr. Christian Sardet, through his highly original use of interactive multimedia technology, communicates scientific information including detailed molecular events. An established embryologist, he presently heads the BioMarCell group in Villefranche-sur-Mer, at the Marine Center of the University of Paris 6 (UPMC) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). His establishment of a creative team to produce educational animations called BioClips evolved into the annual International Festival Cinema of the Cell, held during ELSO meetings in Nice and Dresden and relayed by the BioClips.com website. Commenting on his award Sardet said, “I am honoured that my passion for biology, imagery and communication is recognised". Outside of molecular and cellular embryology, Sardet challenges cell biology to “go visual, go public and go interactive.” Exploring the Living Cell, his recent DVD, is rich in film and animations on the subject of cells and their impact on health and disease. The DVD also includes ‘Voyage Inside the Cell,’ a short version of Sardet’s prized 3-D film on exhibit in science centers in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. The winners were presented their awards on 2 November 2007 at the annual EMBO/EMBL Science & Society Conference in Heidelberg, Germany.
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