This year’s Science in the City – on Friday from 6pm – will be featuring an area on health, genetics and rare diseases.
A collaboration between the University of Malta’s Research, Innovation and Development Trust and Mater Dei Hospital, the area is all about health and researchers pushing the boundaries of knowledge and treatment.
Researchers and science students will show how a kidney works through a functioning model. There will also be a dialysis machine and live dissections to raise health awareness while celebrating the launch of the new Kidney Research Programme being funded by the LifeCycle Malta Foundation.
Thalassemia and blood disease researchers will have microscopes with slides showing a number of conditions and talking about the importance of blood transfusion.
Visitors will be introduced to the Malta BioBank, which forms part of the Research Infrastructure of BioBanks from across the EU and makes possible important research on rare disease and population genetics studies. Shortly, it will be possible to participate in this vital health research by donating samples and health data.
Nearby, there will be a spot where one can play with 3D printed molecules. One can even build their own DNA strand – the fundamental building block of life. A 3D printer and molecular models will be at the stand.
A research programme in breast cancer has been running at the University, generously supported by EU funding and local NGOs, namely the Alive Charity Foundation, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation and Europa Donna. The cyclists who raised these funds will be at the festival.
The recently launched new mobile dental clinic will be on site as part of its national survey on oral health while providing advice and free dental check-ups.
Alongside the clinic, the Malta Association of Dental Students will be bringing activities, experiments, games and advice on oral healthcare. There will also be a children’s section with tooth fairies handing out balloons, playing games and colouring pictures.
Science in the City – European Researchers Night is funded by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme and organised by the University of Malta’s Research, Innovation and Development Trust and the Malta Chamber of Scientists. It is recognised as a festival by Europe for Festivals and Festivals for Europe.
The full programme can be viewed at www.scienceinthecity.org.mt. For updates, visit www.facebook.com/ScienceInTheCityMalta.