The Sound Of Science

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) in Jupiter kicked off its Science Meets Music series with 2014 Nobel Laureate Dr. Stefan Hell. More than 500 community members enjoyed a night of virtuosic music and scientific discovery at Benjamin Hall at The Benjamin Upper School in Palm Beach Gardens.

"We are so pleased to be able to attract such high-caliber speakers and musicians from across the globe to our South Florida community," says Dr. David Fitzpatrick, CEO and scientific director, MPFI. "The talent and insight they impart is invaluable, and we look forward to future opportunities to continue our community involvement."

Dr. Hell, director of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, discussed the new field of imaging known as nanoscopy. This significant advancement in research, which earned him the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, allows researchers to see things they've never been able to, like how molecules build connections between nerve cells in the brain or the interactions between proteins involved in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, according to Dr. Hell.

Guests also enjoyed a performance by Finnish-Dutch cellist Jonathan Roozeman from the Kronberg Academy. During the second part of the musical program, Roozeman was accompanied by his father, Robert, on the piano.

The final event in this year's Science Meets Music series will take place on April 18, featuring Dr. Manfred Gahr, director of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology. O

For more information, call 561-972-9027 or visit mpfi.org/rsvpsmm.