When does the Robert Mayer Lecture start?

Doors open at 7:00 PM, the lecture begins at 7:30 PM.

How long does the event last?

The evening is planned to last until about 10:00 PM, including the Q&A session.

Where does the lecture take place?

In the Science Dome of experimenta in Heilbronn at Experimenta-Platz.

How much is the entrance fee?

The entrance costs €9 for adults and €5 reduced.

Is there a conversation afterwards?

Yes, a Q&A session is scheduled after the lecture.

Is the Science Dome accessible for disabled persons?

Yes, experimenta including Science Dome is barrier-free accessible; there are two wheelchair spots in the Science Dome.

An evening about mammoths, ancient DNA, and the future of evolution in Heilbronn

Name: Robert Mayer Lecture: Can Mammoths Be Cloned? – Secrets of Ancient DNA
Start: 2026-10-20T19:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-20T22:00:00+02:00
Location: Science Dome

When ancient DNA suddenly tells the future

The Robert Mayer Lecture at experimenta Heilbronn opens a rare window between science and imagination on October 20, 2026. Evolutionary biologist Dr. Patrick Arnold from the University of Potsdam leads a discussion in the Science Dome on paleogenetics and asks what can truly be deciphered from the traces of extinct animals.

Between fossil and research

Whether mammoth, saber-toothed tiger, or dodo: the extinct animal world is not just a theater of longing but a precise field of modern research. The atmosphere of this Robert Mayer Lecture thrives on the tension between laboratory and legend. It concerns ancient DNA, reconstruction, biological limits, and the question of how much future resides in ancient samples.

Paleogenetics as a literarily conceived realm of knowledge

Dr. Patrick Arnold explains the basics of paleogenetics with scientific clarity and an eye for the overarching themes of evolutionary biology. This combination of expertise and narrative power makes the evening a special literary experience in a broader sense: facts, images, and horizons of thought intertwine. Those who appreciate scientific lectures will experience an author encounter with a research language that remains precise yet moves.

Science Dome, foyer, and conversation

The event takes place in the Science Dome of experimenta and starts at 7:30 PM; doors open at 7:00 PM. For the evening, a lecture, a Q&A session, and a subsequent gathering with snacks and drinks in the UG foyer are announced. The format promises not only knowledge but a lively conversational situation where theory becomes a shared discovery.

What makes this evening special

The Robert Mayer Lecture combines science communication with a strong narrative dramaturgy. It is aimed at all those interested in research on ancient DNA, animal history, evolution, and the ethical limits of cloning. From this unfolds an evening in the Science Dome that does not dry out knowledge but condenses it.

Conclusion: This Robert Mayer Lecture offers a thoughtful, atmospheric look at the possibilities and limits of research on ancient DNA. Anyone wanting to understand why mammoths again appear in debates about bioengineering, species protection, and future technologies should experience this evening live.