Discover the hidden lives of parasites
Pests, pets and the plague, find out what they all have in common at the Parasites: Life Undercover exhibition at Queensland Museum, supported by the Australian Society for Parasitology. Join one of the free talks at the Museum this week to help celebrate National Science Week.
- Monday 15th August, 12-12.30pm, Level 2 Theatre. Free talk by Dr Tom Cribb, Associate Professor School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland
- Thursday 18th August, 12-12.30pm, Level 2 Theatre. Free talk by Professor Glen Coleman Head, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland
- Friday 19th August, 12-12.30pm, Level 2 Theatre. Free talk by Professor Vicky Avery
Infections, itches and eye sores are on the agenda when visitors take a glimpse into the lives of these microscopic blood-suckers that are sure to make your skin crawl.
Come face to face with a giant mosquito, get up close to more than 50 original parasite specimens and take a look at how a parasite-host relationship works with over 30 displays.
Queensland Museum CEO and Director, Professor Suzanne Miller said the exhibition will give visitors an opportunity to understand the impacts they have on both animals and humans.
“Parasites: Life Undercover highlights the significance parasites have on our daily lives, from the common pests such as fleas and lice such as treating heartworm in a pet to the more serious epidemics and threats such as malaria and those skin and gut parasites costing our livestock industries over a billion dollars each year,” she said.
“Parasitism is a highly successful way of life. Parasites are a real and serious threat to all living things and this exhibition will showcase the fascinating evolution of parasites, their resilient life cycles and their ability to move from one host to another in order to not only survive, but in many cases, thrive.”
“Having plagued us for centuries, parasites have certainly gained a bad reputation, but you will also see the positive role parasites can play in the medical industry and in developing our immune systems.”
The Australian Society of Parasitology is supporting Parasites: Life Undercover and Society president Professor David Emery said they hoped it would promote the knowledge and fascination of parasitology to the general public.
“Parasites are our world at the Australian Society of Parasitology and we are truly excited to partner with Queensland Museum to bring this unique exhibition to Brisbane, which will coincide with our annual conference,” Professor Emery said.
“We are always looking a ways to connect with the community and recently have had artists collaborate with us on a unique project exploring the theme of parasites and health. One of the signature artworks of this project, Gula Guri mayin, which means heal the body by Cairns artist Bernard Lee Singleton will feature in the exhibition.”
Parasites: Life Undercover was developed by the Museum of Natural History Berlin Germany with support of Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
Parasites: Life Undercover is supported by the Australian Society of Parasitology and will run from 10 August 2016 – 27 January 2017 on Level 2, Queensland Museum. Entry is free.
Visit www.qm.qld.gov.au
