Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel Explores Immortality with Jeff Koons

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Press release October 11, 2014 Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel explores immortality with Jeff Koons On 9th of December, 6 Nobel Laureates and world-leading experts will participate in Nobel Week Dialogue to share new scientific and cultural perspectives on ageing. One of the highlights in the programme is a conversation about immortality, between Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel and world-renowned artist Jeff Koons.

World-leading memory expert and Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel (Medicine, 2000) will discuss the elusive topic of immortality with one of the most influential artists of our time, Jeff Koons. The talk will be moderated by Zeinab Badawi, BBC World News, and live-streamed online at www.nobelweekdialogue.org.

The talk is part of Nobel Week Dialogue, a full-day event and part of the official Nobel Week programme. The event, which is free of charge and open for all to attend, aims to stimulate global dialogue between science and society. Each year, an impressive panel of Nobel Laureates, world-leading experts and inspiring thought leaders come together with live and online audiences to engage in a dialogue about a topic that poses a crucial challenge to our society. This year, Nobel Week Dialogue explores new scientific and cultural perspectives on ageing.

- Nobel Week Dialogue is an innovative platform that brings together science and society, says Mattias Fyrenius, CEO of Nobel Media, the organiser of the event. This year’s theme covers a wide array of issues, including how an ageing population impacts our global economy and where the boundaries for the human life span lie. With this unique constellation of panellists we can expect many thought provoking discussions about the future. The dialogue between Jeff Koons and Eric Kandel is exactly the type of conversation we want to initiate, and with Zeinab Badawi as a moderator, we have a line-up that I am sure will marvel us all.

Among the 6 participating Nobel Laureates are Elizabeth Blackburn (Medicine 2009) and Craig Mello (Medicine 2006) who will talk about the biology of ageing, while Laureates Eric Maskin (Economics 2007) and Daniel McFadden (Economics 2000) will illuminate some of the far-reaching economic implications of the demographic shift.

Other inspiring panellists include Professor Dame Linda Partridge (University College London) who explores how our bodies and minds can stay young, and Professor Cynthia Kenyon, Vice President of Aging Research at Calico Life Sciences, Google’s new science1/3

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centre that aims to maintain youthfulness and increase quality of life as we age.

Ageing – a global trend In the year 2000, for the first time in history, there were more people in the world aged 60 or over than there were children below the age of 5. In less than 15 years, the average global life expectancy has increased by six years – undoubtedly one of humanity’s greatest achievements but also a new and global challenge.

Registration is now open on www.nobelweekdialogue.org. More information about the programme and a presentation of participating Nobel Laureates and panellists can also be found here. The event will be live streamed online.

Contact person Mattias Fyrenius, CEO Nobel Media AB +46 733 40 18 47 [email protected]

Follow Nobel Week Dialogue: Facebook: www.facebook.com/NobelWeekDialogue Twitter: @NobelWeekDialog #nobeldialogue #ageing #NobelLaureate

Event info: Date: December 9, 2014 Venue: Stockholm City Conference Centre Register: www.nobelweekdialogue.org Streaming: www.nobelweekdialogue.org (December 9, from 09.30 AM, CET)

About Nobel Week Dialogue

The purpose of this annual event is to stimulate discussion at the highest level on a topical, science-related theme by bringing together Nobel Laureates, the world’s leading scientists, key opinion leaders, policy makers, different interest groups and the general public. Nobel Week Dialogue is arranged in partnership with Akademiska Hus, Carl Bennet AB, City of Gothenburg, Ericsson, Region Västra Götaland and Volvo Group and is organised by Nobel Media AB.

About Nobel Media AB

Nobel Media AB aims to spread knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize awarded achievements to a global audience, through digital and broadcast media, publishing and events. Included in Nobel Media’s portfolio is Nobelprize.org, the official website of the Nobel Prize. Production of official television programmes includes The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo, The Nobel Banquet, Nobel Documentaries, Nobel Minds, Nobel Laureates and the Nobel Prize Concert. Through these programmes, over 250 million viewers are reached all over the world. 2/3

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Please visit: www.nobelprize.org/, Twitter: @NobelPrize, Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nobelprize.org,

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Nobel Media®, Nobel Prize® and Nobelprize.org® are registered trademarks of the Nobel Foundation. Disclaimer: Nobel Media AB is not directly or indirectly involved in the process of nominating or selecting Nobel Laureates. These procedures are strictly confidential and regulated by the Nobel Prize awarding institutions.

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