dan.science

Head of Demonstrations at the Royal Institution. Presenting, writing, training, building, and even enjoying Science Communication.

[dan.science @danplane]

@Pooja_Swali @rosiewaldron @EstherMensah16 @Cristina_TorMor @Charlie_m0492 @theAliceRoberts @MatejaHajdi Yes!! Massive congratulations and I'm so proud of you I have opened twitter again just to say this publicly!

[dan.science @danplane]

@CathNoakes @Ri_Science Good eye! It had a bit of a rebuild and a paint job. And just like last year, it worked beautifully when testing and then embarrassed me on the night!

[dan.science @danplane]

@FunSizeSuze 🤫

[dan.science @danplane]

One last show before my work on @Ri_Science #XmasLectures really kicks off.

I'll be at #NewScientistLive looking at the stories behind some incredible discoveries, not all of which were on purpose! https://t.co/Pb6fLp7nQG

[dan.science @danplane]

@drkenfarquhar No problem at all! They needed some circus skills science, who else could I possibly think of!

[dan.science @danplane]

@johnekennett @Ri_Science Delicious AND scientific!

[dan.science @danplane]

@GracelessHippo @Ri_Science What I don't know: If there is any other virus that does, or even could, have the same shape spike protein as coronavrius. So we need some expert help, calling @ProfKatieEwer, @ravgup33_ravi, or @jenneratingVacc to be able to answer fully!

[dan.science @danplane]

The giant LFT was my pride and joy of the @Ri_Science #XmasLectures It worked really well on the night and did me proud!
Here's my first test of the mechanism:

[dan.science @danplane]

@GracelessHippo @Ri_Science Ok, here's what I do know: Lateral Flow Tests use antibodies to recognise coronavirus by matching the shape of the spike protein (Remember the tetris demo in lecture 1?).
So if another virus had the same shape protein I assume it would also match so give a positive result.
But...

[dan.science @danplane]

@kim_judge_ You were a total pro! It was our clumsiness. Sorry again!

[dan.science @danplane]

As we wheeled @kim_judge_'s sequencers on, Tom and I literally pulled the plug and we all had to wait a few minutes while they resequenced some deactivated coronavirus. Incredible that it only takes minutes, but I'm sure it felt like a lifetime. Sorry Kim!
#XmasLectures

[dan.science @danplane]

Not in the picture, but also key to many of the demos are @bndornan, @petergallivan, Charlotte, and my Mum and Dad.
I'm sure many more who I have forgotten.
Thanks everyone, I hope you've enjoyed your well earned break!

[dan.science @danplane]

That's it for this year's #XmasLectures. Lots of people do lots of work to make them happen, but here are the ones who brought the demos to the screen!
Front row left to right: Affelia, Yasmin, Mike, Georgia.
Back row left to right: Tom, LFT, Me.
See you next year!

[dan.science @danplane]

After all the work, all the mess, and all the fun, here sits 3 lectures worth of props, all waiting for us to find them a home somewhere in the @Ri_Science building.
#XmasLectures

[dan.science @danplane]

@wholenewrach @AffeliaW @PWilkinsonPhoto @foxinclothes We don't talk about football bubbles!

[dan.science @danplane]

Here are the llamas waiting, very patiently, for their big moment.
#XmasLectures

[dan.science @danplane]

@thatkat @Ri_Science Good camera work, you don't appear to have jumped too much from the bang!

[dan.science @danplane]

The volume may not have come across on screen, but this was loud! Being able to rig a pyrotechnic effect like this is a real dream for me, and a treat for all the senses! And great photo timing by @PWilkinsonPhoto
#XmasLectures

[dan.science @danplane]

@thatkat @PWilkinsonPhoto @Ri_Science Oh no! I wanna see!

[dan.science @danplane]

Can't imagine why the pyros would've set off the smoke detectors in rehearsals?!
#XmasLectures

[dan.science @danplane]

Our poor technicians, Yasmin and Georgia, winced every time JVT dropped that washing machine. They put a lot of work into it!
@Ri_Science #XmasLectures