Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity Opens at Science World on March 3

SKIN: Living Armor, Evolving Identity at Science World March 3

Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity, presented by Acuitas Therapeutics, will be on display at Science World.

Did you know that about 16% of a human’s body weight is made up of skin? In many organisms, skin is one of the largest organs. Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity, presented by Acuitas Therapeutics, will be on display at Science World starting March 3rd until May 29th, 2023, and invites you to learn about skin across different organisms, and its impact on shaping physical and social interactions with its outside world.

Featuring a range of collections and engaging interactive experiences, visitors will explore the shape-shifting, colour-changing, and adaptable nature of skin and the technological innovations it inspires. Visitors to Skin will explore a variety of skin across the animal kingdom: see a life-size rhinoceros model that shows the largeness of its skin; examine keratin-based feathers, furs, and quills; and touch different specimens, like snake skin and otter fur.

Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity will inspire wonder and curiosity about this uniquely complex organ, illustrate the incredibly adaptive properties of skin across all organisms, and spark dialogue and reflection about skin’s role in shaping human culture and identity.

The exhibit explores how evolution has shaped diversity in human skin and presents the topics of racism, prejudice, and discrimination through the lens of history and science. Visitors will investigate the layers of meaning humans have associated with skin colour throughout history and how our ever-evolving social and political climate has influenced shifting ideas of race and culture in our modern world.

“Skin is made of simple blocks that form magnificent structures, especially when we see the variety of skin across the animal kingdom,” said Kiki Kirkpatrick, Science World Program Manager. “We’re excited about this exhibit and are looking forward to sharing the science behind skin, an organ that tells an endless and fascinating story when you take a second to look closer.”

“We are proud to partner with Science World on Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity,” said Abi Coman-Walker, Chief Operating Officer of Acuitas Therapeutics. “This is an exceptional exhibit and provides an entertaining and informative way to share scientific details about skin and to create opportunities for conversations around the shifting ideas of race and culture in our world.” She added: “Science World is known for its commitment to providing a fun, informative environment that inspires us to ask questions, learn and see the world around us in a new way. We are delighted to support the important work of Science World.”

Fun Facts visitors will learn at the exhibition:

In many organisms, skin is one of the largest organs: the average adult has 2m2 squared of skin (the size of a twin mattress), an Indian elephant has 18m2 (a king mattress), and a raven has 0.17m2 (2 sheets of legal paper).

The sole of an elephant’s foot can sense tremors created by an elephant herd stomping 32 km away (Science World to Lion’s Bay).
Salmons’ skin can pump salt ions out or into the salmon to allow it to survive both salt and fresh waters.

The skin on a human hand contains 17,000 nerve endings to help sense the temperature, texture, shape, and movement of everything you touch.

Mucous glands, which aid in maintaining the water balance and offer protection from bacteria, are extremely numerous in fish skin. Fish heal faster than land animals – the mucous layer protects from scrapes and parasites. Their skin is completely living, with no layer of dead skin like land vertebrates, which helps them heal faster.

Skin was created by California Academy of Sciences and modified for travel and distributed by the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Tickets are available at scienceworld.ca and at the door.

ABOUT SCIENCE WORLD

Science World is a BC-based charitable organization that engages the people of British Columbia in STEAM literacy. Their mission is to ignite wonder and empower dreams through science and nature. Their vision is that within a generation, Canada will be a country of thriving, sustainable communities rooted in science, innovation and a deep connection to nature.

ABOUT ACUITAS THERAPEUTICS

Vancouver-based Acuitas Therapeutics (www.acuitastx.com) is a private biotechnology company that specializes in the development of delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics based on lipid nanoparticles since 2009. The team works with partners to develop new therapies to address unmet clinical needs based on its internationally recognized capabilities in delivery technology and strives to improve human health.

Media release and image provided by Kat Aquino, The Tea Co.