Henley Café Sci: The Common Cold: 30,000 Years of the Sniffles

Café Scientifique organises talks, usually given by scientists, followed by questions from the audience in the second half. They are a great opportunity to explore the latest ideas in science and technology, you don't need to be a scientist to enjoy the evening, everyone is welcome to ask a question or make a comment. Join us for tonight's talk:

“Everybody knows what a cold feels like: miserable. The first cold virus was detected in a milk tooth shed over 30,000 years ago and ever since, the common cold has been a bane.

Yet while sore throats and blocked noses are annoyingly familiar, the processes that lead to them are not widely known and often misunderstood. Processes like the misdirected immune response that makes us ill with a cold instead of protecting us from illness. Like the way heating a building enhances cold virus transmission. Like the way that most cold viruses can only exist at all thanks to the society we’ve built over the last few millennia.

And, most importantly, what we can do about them.

Speaker: David Miles

Infectious disease immunologist who spent ten years researching immunity to infections and the vaccinations that protect against them in various parts of Africa.

Teaches on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s online postgraduate course.

His first popular science book, How Vaccines Work, was published in March 2023

And the second, Sneeze: The History and Science of the Common Cold, will be published in March 2026. ”
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HOW TO BOOK

These events can be very popular and MUST be booked in advance. To book your places(s) please email the Henley Café Sci organiser directly at cafescihenley@gmail.com, saying you would like to register for the event. When he has confirmed your booking please RSVP here so that we know you are coming and can look out for you.
If you subsequently find you are not able to attend please cancel here and advise the organiser, as often there is a waitlist.

You can arrive from 7pm for a 7:30 start. Usual format is 45 min talk followed by 45 Q&A. Liquid refreshments are available at the bar and the Coffee/Tea kitchen.

Admission is free, but the organisers ask for a voluntary contribution from about £3.

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
If coming into Henley along the Reading Road turn right at the roundabout towards Tesco, then first left and immediately left again into the hockey club car park. The entrance is near the far end.

Avoid the Tesco Car park, gates close at 9pm.