Do not miss a unique opportunity to experience a special cultural moment and watch the play The Elegance of the Molecule. This play, which is also about the commercialization of scientific results, performed by one of the best theatre ensembles in the Czech Republic, was provided exclusively for ELIXIR All Hands 2021. The play will be briefly presented during the "Meet the Hosts" session on Thursday 3 June.
A chemical laboratory is often just a few hundred metres away from the pharmacy on the corner. But on this journey, a molecule of a medicine passes through hundreds of millions of dollars worth process on which thousands of people participate. That is to say, the one molecule lucky to reach the finish line. The Elegance of the Molecule tells a story of three such substances and their three “fathers”, one of them being professor Antonín Holý, a Czech chemist genius. The play deals with the genesis and the dramatic industrial development of substances produced by Czech chemical laboratories that are used today by more than eighty percent of AIDS patients all over the world.
Otto Wichterle had his famous story about constructing a Merkur (a construction set for children built in Czechoslovakia) based apparatus for experimental production of his first soft contact lenses. Petr Zelenka's play is looking for a similar “Merkur” in the life of Antonín Holý.
A story about a strong vision, prescience, luck and a reward that came too late.
The production of the play The Elegance of the Molecule was supported and financially funded by the Neuron Benevolent Fund for Support of Science.
Image source: Dejvicke divadlo
Scientists have linked tryptophan, phenethylamine, theobromine, and caffeine found in chocolate to the production of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin - the neurochemicals shared with the love and happiness sensation. With much love we are sending this gift box; you could enjoy this responsibly and/or join us in the conversation at the Chocolate Tasting social event on Thursday 9 June where we can take this specially crafted chocolate tasting set further and perhaps get into the chocolaty-ness taste profile that is also found in coffee, beer, and wine.
Image source: Jessica Loaiza
It would be great we can all gather together for a short moment, please bring your T-shirt, turn the camera on and smile… ?
While we can still enjoy the science through our virtual All Hands we may miss the culture and experience of a physical event. We all wish we were able to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Prague as originally planned for the All Hands 2021, so here’s your chance to share your photos and stories from your experiences in Prague or the Czech Republic!
We'd like to invite you to upload a photo - it can be funny or serious (but certainly safe for work!) - of people, landmarks or food, to our dedicated #MemoriesofCZ slack channel and share with your friends at ELIXIR!
Privacy statement: The slack channel is shared with All Hands participants. While we do not intend to publish the photos anywhere else, you should consider that by posting the photos to the slack channel, they become publicly available.
When working virtually it’s essential to take regular breaks and get some fresh air! We’re encouraging everyone to get outside and consider your environment in a new light. On your next outing keep an eye out for anything that makes you think of ELIXIR and the All Hands, this could be something:
orange ⬢ or blue ⬢, or
resembling a network or infrastructure.
Share on twitter use the hashtag #ELIXIROutside and tag @ELIXIREurope, or in the #random slack channel in the All Hands slack workspace and if we get enough entries we’ll create a lovely collage at the end of the event to share on social media.
Image source: Tiffany Nutt
The new ELIXIR Slack workspace, created in advance of the AH2021, is a place where you can message anybody within the ELIXIR network and carry on any conversations well beyond AH2021. You will receive a link to join this workspace with your confirmation email.
We will have channels that will cover most topics required – but if any are missing, once you are in the new workspace please add a request in the channel #channel_requests and this will be created for you.
As per all other channels, the Code of Conduct is to be adhered to.
Data for this workspace is stored in Germany.
If you have any questions, please email phyllida.hallidie@elixir-europe.org.
