Conference by Simon Galas & Myriam Richaud "Incredible Tardigrades!"

As part of the first cycle of conferences Agora des Savoirs 2026-2027.

Screening of the documentary Tardigrade, the Indestructible Animal (Raphaël Hitier, 2024, 52 min), followed by a discussion

Resistant to extreme temperatures (from -270 to over 100 °C), X-rays, the vacuum of space, dehydration… Do you know about tardigrades, those tiny, almost immortal animals? While they fascinate millions of curious minds around the world, they also intrigue scientists who are trying to uncover the secrets of their superpowers.

Dive into the incredible story of these fascinating creatures that live all around us and have, despite their microscopic size, survived all the mass extinctions on Earth. Discover the astonishing abilities of these "water bears," their way of life, and the mysteries of their genetics, at the heart of promising innovations in medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, or astrobiology… which could very well revolutionize our future.

Free entry, subject to availability.

Authors' Biography

Simon Galas is a professor at the University of Montpellier (Faculty of Pharmacy) and a researcher at CNRS, specializing in genetics and molecular biology. His work has contributed to the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cancer and the development of modern anticancer therapies.

Molecular and cellular biologist Myriam Richaud is a lecturer at the University of Montpellier. She regularly gives public lectures and participates in science popularization journals (Epsiloon, Science et vie, Science & Vie Junior, La recherche, Pour La Science...) as well as events (Fête de la Science, Pint of Science…).

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