There was an incredible range of displays about many different conditions, and all the researchers were so lively and helpful when explaining their research through various activities. It was all very engaging and I'm so glad I was able to learn about a lot about rare diseases that are currently being researched.
One team used a DIY kidney model to explain rare kidney diseases, another used brain models and quizzes to present their research on the pituitary gland.
A stall stood out to me was a presentation on a rare form of cancer, researched using different cells and treatments which the researcher presented to me using a collection of connector building blocks - I loved the simplicity of it to explain a complex research process!
I used a VR headset to look inside a virtual 3D model of a heart! This research project uses amazing virtual reality technology to create 3D models of hearts, normal or specific to a certain condition or patient, which allows them to be explored internally straight from a seat. It was so fun seeing so many kids try the VR themselves and look around in awe. Being able to do it myself was so fun and also informative, as I tested myself to point out all the different chambers and parts of the heart. This tech will be used by doctors and patients to get a better view of the heart itself for treatments and research in the future.
I loved making bracelets of different animals DNA sequences for research about DNA - I got to make a green and pink bracelet with the DNA sequence of a firefly!
There was also a chatbot being developed to help parents and patients answer their worries about their condition.
Table top hands on research & innovation engagement activities
‘Paint your own take away 3D printed neural tube’- understand how the brain develops and what causes spina bifida.
Keto-Start’:make your own ’keto’ bracelet or build your own ‘keto’ meal, learn how research has brought patients, families and healthcare professionals together to help children with epilepsy on a ketogenic diet.
‘VheaRts’: try on a headset, as we guide you on a journey through the heart. Learn about research into rare cardiovascular disease as we show you 3D models of the heart.
‘Pituitary Picture Puzzle & Pipetting’: learn about the pituitary gland and meet the researchers finding spelling mistakes in people’s genomes.
‘Can you filter like a kidney?’: learn how kidney filtration works and meet a researcher looking into how we can help when this filtration goes wrong.
Challenge our Chatbot' - ask questions to help support your care and help researchers think how this technology can move from paediatric rheumatology to other health conditions**.**
Biobanks’: play a game of DNA Top Trumps & find out how genomic sequencing is transforming rare disease care in the NHS. Make your own gene sequence bracelet.
‘Hook-a-data-duck’ and learn how we keep patient data safe during research.
'Giving cancer drugs superpowers': Hear how retinoic acid is used to treat neuroblastoma patients and how we plan to 'supercharge' it with DNA nanotechnology. See how it works with our hands-on demo, then build a nanoparticle yourself.
Children’s Cancer Centre Information Stall: find out how it’s all progressing.
Mini Laboratory'
‘Spot the cell’: look down a microscope and learn the difference between healthy and not so healthy cells.
‘Bubble Baby Disease’: watch a slide show on how your body defends itself against diseases, handle our toy models of Immune cells, and learn how we help treat Bubble Baby Disease with gene therapy or bone marrow transplant.
‘Take your turn at being a rare disease healthcare scientist! watch & learn chromatography and electrophoresis in action. Make a diagnosis by matching the disease with the chromatogram or gel electrophoresis.