Open Labs: Behind the Scenes of Manchester Science

On Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 July, visitors will be able to see behind the scenes of Manchester science.

See first-hand the settings where Manchester’s best minds work on the next big breakthroughs. A range of tours and activities over the two days will give visitors the opportunity to explore real science and gain hands-on experience.

To take part in the conversation on social media, use the hashtag #OpenLabsMcr and get the latest updates on the Behind the Scenes of Manchester Science Facebook event page.

Wednesday 27th July:

A walk through inflammation

Suppressing unwanted inflammation by restoring health is an exciting new approach to developing treatments for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, for curing chronic inflammation associated with diseases such as asthma and for improving transplantation success rates.

Come and find out how scientists at the MCCIR (Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research) are researching these new treatments.

  • Where: CTF Building
  • Times: 10.30am; 11.30am (meet at Manchester Museum – please arrive 15 minutes before the start time)
  • Book here.

Our genomes and our health

Genomic information is becoming a more important component of diagnosis and treatment in modern medicine.

See how the 100,000 Genomes Project is integrating the latest technologies into clinical care and making a real difference in people’s lives.

Meet the genetic scientists and professionals and take a tour around our state of the art laboratories.

  • Where: Saint Mary’s Hospital, 6th floor
  • Times: 10–11am; 11.30am–12.30pm; 1–2pm (please arrive 5 mins before the start of the tour).
  • Tours are free but pre-booking is recommended through Eventbrite.
  • Book here.

Cancer treatment: personalised medicine development from bench to bedside

An interactive journey through drug development with a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Manchester Pharmacy School.

Explore the development of personalised cancer medicine by journeying through the drug development process. Begin with a 20-minute lecture on innovative cancer treatments, then follow medicine development from detection and visualisation to medicine design, optimisation, testing, clinical trial and usage through a series of interactive activities using bespoke research and teaching facilities in Manchester Pharmacy School.

  • Where: Stopford Building, Oxford Road campus
  • Times: 11am-1pm; 1pm-3pm (this tour starts from the foyer of the Stopford Building)
  • Book here. 

Joints and genes: the genetics of arthritis

The study of musculoskeletal diseases is a rapidly evolving field. Take a tour of our laboratories and learn how DNA can affect common arthritic conditions. Do your own experiment. Meet our scientists to see how our research is advancing the knowledge of diseases that affect millions of people in the UK.

  • Where: Stopford Building, University of Manchester
  • Times: 11am, 12noon, 1pm – times to be confirmed (all tours start from the Behind the Scenes of Manchester Science Hub in Manchester Museum – please arrive 15 minutes before the start time)
  • Book here.