Tandem of Gut and Cells

As you’re reading this, your cells are dying. Sounds ominous? Don’t worry, it’s actually a good thing. Your cells are supposed to die. It’s part of how your body stays healthy. But when a cell decides it’s too special to follow the rules and refuses to die, it can multiply uncontrollably, and that’s when we’re talking about cancer. Cancer is a complex set of diseases caused by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. It can sneak up on us due to things we can’t control (like our genetics), things we think we’re controlling (hello, drunk cigarettes), and environmental factors we often don’t even notice. Even the healthiest of people can be affected. The good news? Science is on our side. Advances in treatment are happening all the time, BUT there’s one area that could tip the balance even more in our favour: early diagnosis. We’ll dive into the world of liquid biopsies, a new kind of test that’s shaking up cancer diagnostics. These tests use samples like blood or urine to detect signs of cancer. No surgery, no needles poking the tumour, just a quick look at what’s floating around in bodily fluids. Why does this work? Because when cells (including cancer cells) die, they release fragments of their DNA into our blood. This cell-free DNA acts like a molecular “message in a bottle”, telling us what’s happening deep inside the body in real time. But here’s the challenge: how do we know which DNA messages to listen to? We’ll cover different approaches to liquid biopsies, their potential and how this might change the future of cancer diagnostics. This talk is for you if you’re curious about cancer, cutting-edge diagnostics, or just want to know why your cells dying is actually a reason to celebrate. We’ll talk genetics, epigenetics, and why even “just a few” social smokes might be more trouble than they seem. Hope to see you there!

The gut microbiota, home to trillions of microbes, plays a key role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. These tiny helpers break down fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which support gut health, reduce inflammation, and keep our digestive system running smoothly. Diet has a big impact: fiber-rich foods (like in the Mediterranean diet) boost SCFAs, while processed and high-protein diets reduce beneficial microbes. So, how do English and French diets compare? It’s not as bad as you might think! We’ll explore the differences and how we can all achieve gut health.