Children are not exact copies of their parents, instead they get a mix of traits from both parents. This is due to trait reassortment that occurs during the formation of eggs and sperm.

The same is true for plants. How does this happen? What can go wrong? What does it mean for crops?

This talk will look at what happens with parental traits when plants reproduce through seed, ask how seedless fruit are made and talk about recent discoveries in trait reassortment control that can help breeders improve crops.

Hidden beneath the surface of every lake, river, stream and pond live trillions of diverse and ecologically important microorganisms. Invisible to the naked eye, these bacteria and fungi play a critical role in decomposing dead plant material and smaller biomolecules, such as cellulose, starch and peptides, that are washed into aquatic systems.

It is common knowledge that plants generate oxygen via photosynthesis. Have you ever challenged this knowledge? And, if so, how much oxygen do they generate? In my talk I will discuss the generation of oxygen from photosynthetic organisms and describe a simple method for measuring it. I will also discuss how the electrons generated by photosynthesis can be used to create electricity.

Land plants evolved about half a billion years ago from algae, and have since transformed the planet. They have become bigger (or smaller) and more complex, evolving branches and roots, leaves and flowers, and various ways to survive in a changing environment.

How did all these complex plants evolve?

Cultivated tulips are a common sight in Spring gardens around the world, but have you ever considered where wild tulips grow?

The Cambridge Festival is open for booking, with a mixture of online, on-demand and in-person events covering all aspects of the world-leading research happening at Cambridge.

For 2023 the Festival includes a special fifth theme - Power.

From panel discussions, film premieres, and self-guided walking tours, to interactive activities for the whole family, discover a breadth events on the Festival website. 

Find events under the theme of power

Ever wondered how women supported polar expeditions before they were allowed to travel to the poles themselves? Join the Polar Museum and a team of student costume designers who have recreated one of the most eccentric and beloved items in the museum's collection: Dorothy Irving Bell's polar-themed party costume. Learn about a woman whose self-proclaimed mission in life was to imbue the young with a love of polar exploration and try on the replica costume for yourself!

Part of the Cambridge Festival Student Creatives project.

Join guest artist Suman Gujral and Heong Gallery, Downing College curator Dr Prerona Prasad as we discuss how today's museums can remain relevant and the role they and artists can play in engaging audiences with the concerns of a 21st century global Britain.

Curator, Anastasia Christophilopoulou talks about the community engagement project and associated artists involved in the Museum’s new exhibition ‘Islanders: The Making of the Mediterranean'.

This talk will also be livestreamed - if you would prefer to join us online, please go to our separate booking page.

Free tickets available on request for students, university staff and companions of guests with disabilities, please email tickets@museums.cam.ac.uk