Run by the University of Cambridge, the Cambridge Festival (31 March-10 April) is returning with a programme of gigantic proportions. There is something to suit all ages and tastes and the full programme is now open for bookings.
Below is a selection of events from some of our Centre members with a focus on cancer research - click on the title to find out more or visit the Cambridge Festival website for details of all the events on offer.
How and why does cancer develop and can we do anything about it?
When: Thursday 31 March, 18:00–19:00 online talk
Join Professor Suzanne Turner, our Paediatric Cancer Programme co-lead, explain our current understanding of the development of tumours. The talk will go on to consider whether and how we can act to prevent the development of tumours.
Turning science into medicine!
When: Thursday 31 March, 19:30–20:45 online discussion panel
Can gene therapy reverse hereditary blindness? Can a drug used for cancer help heart-attack patients recover? And how can AI (artificial intelligence) help patients with brain tumours?Find out more about some of the world-leading research happening right here on your doorstep, in this free online event! Drs Patrick Yu Wai Man, Rochelle Sriranjan and Stephen Price (who co-leads our Neuro-Oncology Programme) are all clinicians and researchers on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and in this live streaming they’ll talk about their innovative research to develop new treatments for eye, heart and brain-tumour patients. They’ll be joined by Prof Miles Parkes, Director of NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, to discuss how we support cutting-edge research on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus to bring the latest research to our patients. The talks will be followed by a chance to ask our researchers your questions about research.
Immune cell robots and Science Tattoos:Understanding Cancer Research
When: Saturday 2 April 10:00–16:00 and Sunday 3 April 12:00–16:00 in-person interactive activities, no booking required
Where: Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street, CB2 3DZ
Get hands-on with Cancer Research UK. Join cancer researchers at the New Museums site to learn how the immune system fights dangerous cells within the human body by taking part i two exciting activities.
Take control of our mini immune cell robots, use the controllers to patrol the area, and make sure you can identify and remove all the dangerous cells to keep the human body safe from disease. We need you to take control of immune cells, patrol the human tissue and identify and remove all the dangerous cells! You’ll also have the opportunity to chat with scientists from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute about the world leading cancer research happening at the University of Cambridge.
Scientists at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute have been working with artist Dr Marzia Munafo to create temporary tattoo designs, highlighting the world-leading cancer research happening right now at the University of Cambridge. Come to our stand at the New Museums Site and talk to our cancer researchers about how we can adapt our own immune system to fight cancer, why cancer cells aren’t the only important cell in a tumour and how we can use a person’s individual information to tailor cancer treatments. You’ll receive one of three fun tattoo designs, plus a handout to take away with you.
The rainbow revolution: photosynthesis and the power of pigments
When: Saturday 2 April 11:00–16:00 in-person interactive activities, no booking required
Where: Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building Building O Downing Site, CB2 1QW
Science day returns to the Department of Biochemistry! We’ll explore the synthesis of the photosynthetic machine and investigate how we can exploit it for green electricity. We’ll also discover how organisms trade technologies, and probe the dark side of sharing that resulted in malaria and similar diseases. And Centre members will be showcasing some innovative cancer research projects including:
The Virtual Child
Did you know that artificial intelligence could be used to progress new cancer treatments? The Virtual Child platform aims to use this technology to identify completely novel treatment options for cancers in children. Find out more on the day from the CRUK Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence Team!
How to print a 3D tumour mould
Members of our Integrated Cancer Medicine Programme will be demonstrating how the use of 3D-printing of a tumour mould helps to sample tissue precisely. Marvel at Magnetic Resonance Imaging and see how the tumour moulds are produced. The 3D-printer will be printing on the day and some examples of the tumour moulds will be on display.
This free, interactive event includes hands-on experiments, informative demonstrations, and plenty of fun activities for children and adults of all ages! More details about what's on offer here.
Using AI to diagnose ovarian cancer: would you trust a machine to help find tumours?
When: Tuesday 5 April, 16:00–17:00, in-person talk
Where: Lecture Room 3 Faculty of Divinity , Sidgwick Site, West Road, CB3 9BS
Our presentation gives an overview of our research developing algorithms that can accurately detect ovarian cancer on CT scans. We will ask the audience how they feel about artificial intelligence being used in clinical practice and how much they trust it, and then present images of segmentations done manually and automatically, using a Visual Turing Test environment we have developed. The presentation will conclude with an open a discussion on what the public sees as the major issues surrounding the use of AI in the delivery of medical care. This will be kicked off by giving an overview of the findings of a study currently underway which aims to explore the views of ovarian cancer patients on the use of AI tools for radiological image interpretation in their care.
Cancer, maths and impossible questions: a quiz with a twist
When: Tuesday 5 April, 19:00–21:30 in-person event
Where: Wesley Methodist Church, The Refectory, Christ's Pieces, CB1 1LG
We’re bombarded with statistics and data, from cancer to COVID and more. Can you use your common sense to estimate the real numbers, and answer some seemingly impossible questions? Join us for a pub quiz with a twist! How many cancer cells are there in a 1cm tumour? How many DNA mutations are occurring in your body each second? How many molecules from Caesar’s last breath are you breathing in right now?
Join Dr Jamie Blundell, Group Leader in our Early Detection Programme for a fun and thought-provoking pub quiz with a twist. Instead of answering trivia questions, teams will battle it out by answering six 'Fermi problems' like those above. We will help you delve into the numbers and take an educated guess at our seemingly impossible problems, exploring questions on diverse and current topics including cancer, climate change, sustainability, and healthcare.
Teams of 6-8 people will discover how - armed with primary school maths and a dose of common sense - you can quickly see if someone is pulling the wool over your eyes! Food and drink provided.
