This Sunday, 25 March, the Cambridge Science Festival comes to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus to conclude a fantastic two weeks of events.
The Campus, home to much loved hospitals, world-leading pharmaceutical companies, Nobel prize winning researchers among many other things, will be hosting a series of activities at the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology from 11.00am to 3.00pm.
There will be lots of things to see and do aimed at both the young and old and everyone in between, including these exciting events to learn how Cambridge research is beating cancer sooner.
How lab discoveries are leading to earlier detection and more precise treatments for cancer patients - drop-in event for families
Sunday 25 March: 11.00am–3.00pm
Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, Robinson Way, CB2 0SZ
Join scientists from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, MRC Cancer Unit and Hutchison/MRC Research Centre to discover how cancer develops, grows, and spreads, and see how researchers and clinicians are developing targeted, personalised therapies and techniques to detect cancer sooner. Get hands on with games to build your own cell, identify mutations in DNA, try your hand at brain surgery, and learn how new technologies are being used for the early detection and treatment of cancer. Put on a lab coat and isolate DNA or stain tissue samples and look at them under a microscope.
Escape the Cancer Research UK lab! LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR
Sunday 25 March sessions from 11.00am–14.15pm
Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, CB2 0RE
Set in a fictional cancer research lab, you must work together to solve a series of scientific puzzles in order to unlock the 3 clues to escape the lab within the 30 minute time limit. This is a group activity ideal for a family (adult input will be needed for under 14's) or a group of 5-6 friends. Moderators will be on hand to give prompts if needed to get you thinking along the right lines.
Listening to light - talk aimed at 15+ years
Sunday 25 March 12.30pm–1.15pm
Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, CB2 0RE
Michal Tomaszewski explores the various ways we can look inside the human body without cutting it open, and how different imaging technologies can be used to visualise different aspects of the organism and its function. He focuses on optoacoustic imaging which may help to tell benign from aggressive cancer tumours.
Reading the genome: an evolutionary perspective - talk aimed at 15+ years LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR
Sunday 25 March 1.45pm–2.30pm
Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, CB2 0RE
Genomes are the instruction manuals of life, and genes can be thought of as individual instructions. Many genetic changes that give rise to disease, or that drive evolution, occur not within the genes themselves, but rather change how the gene is read. Join Dr Ericca Stamper, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, to find out more.
Other events taking place include:
- Your immune army: how do cells communicate and sense?
- High tech gizmos and apps for a healthy brain
- From bench to bedside: how are therapeutic drugs developed? Learn about the drug development process and explore the weird and the wonderful microscopic world of the human body and beyond.
- The BHRU Food Driving Test - Can you steer your way through our series of food and drink challenges, or will you be knocked off course?
- STEM in Song is a science lesson like no other: songs about science, coupled with scientific demonstrations at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, aimed at children and adults with an interest in science, music and poetry.
- Organ transplantation - Can we improve the quality and quantity of organs available for transplantation in the future?
- Meet the scientists - Pop into our science booth and have a chat with our scientists about their research
- Delve into a world full of discovery with Papworth Hospital, one of the largest heart and lung hospitals in Europe. Get up close and personal with exciting activities that are saving people’s lives at the hospital.
- Know your poison - How do we know that our drugs are safe and contain the correct amount of drug?
- Discover more about the new buildings under construction and the next phase of development at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, Executive Director of Cambridge University Health Partners, said: “The Cambridge Science Festival is a great time of year as everyone – young and old – becomes inspired by the amazing science going on in and around the city. We shouldn’t be surprised by now but the interest in all the things we have organised for Sunday has yet again been staggering, with places for the talks and activities proving to be in demand when the tickets went online. So with the clocks going forward this Sunday, there isn’t a better thing to do this weekend than get up and come and see us to learn how science on the Biomedical Campus is working to improve the health of us all.”
Visitors are recommended to visit the Cambridge Biomedical Campus by foot, bicycle or bus but if you need to drive reduced price parking in Car Park 1 has been arranged. On leaving please take the un-validated parking ticket to the car park Customer Service desk, say you have been to Cambridge Science Festival to be charged just £2.90.
Find out more about the Cambridge Science Festival on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
