The ‘cutting edge’ of science at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus

These are some of the important health and medical research questions being asked during the second week of the Cambridge Science Festival, when the Festival’s journey from bench to bedside continues at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC).

This year, even more of the CBC is open to explore, with hands-on activities and talks by leading medical research scientists. The new University Technical College (UTC) on Long Road welcomes the Naked Scientists and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute hosts talks and hands-on activities focusing on world-leading cancer research. Over at the Clinical School and the Deakin Centre, there will be dozens of talks and events, including the potential of new anti-coagulant therapies for treating heart disease and exciting new research into novel treatments for Type 1 diabetes. They will be joined by actor Steven McGann, who will be giving a talk about the role of medical science at the heart of public debate.

One of the focal events during the Cambridge (‘Medical’) Science Festival, on Sunday 22 March, is the panel discussion that will explore why sharing health records is so important given some of the controversy that hits the headlines. Organised by Cambridge Institute of Public Health and featuring a salubrious range of scientists, the debate Hands-off my health records: why sharing your health data matters will discuss how health records have the power to transform treatments during illness and boost research efforts to help people live longer with fewer health problems.

The panel includes: Professor Peter Jones, Deputy Head of the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine, who will chair the panel; Dr Jem Rashbass, whose work on cancer data has helped to make England’s National Cancer Registration Service one of the most advanced anywhere in the world; Dr Lydia Drumright, whose research at Addenbrooke's Hospital highlights how data sharing can transform healthcare – Lydia is helping to shape the Addenbrooke's eHospital programme; Professor Sheila Bird, a leading Medical Research Council biostatistician who wants to advance techniques for making data sharing more secure from the public's point of view; and Professor Liam Smeeth from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, interested in how our GP health records can be used to help research, and how genetic research can inform our knowledge of the underlying causes of disease.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Chair of the panel discussion, Professor Jones said: “When we think about sharing our health data, are our first thoughts maybe about scary white-coated scientists looking at the tiny details of our lives, or about our private matters ending up exposed to the media or to commercial companies?  Or do we think about how essential electronic medical records could be to making healthcare safer? When we are not well, do we want our doctors and clinicians to be able to see our information whenever they need it, without endless duplication of our private details every time? And do we want joined-up medical care and research to help access better health and more efficient services?

“The progress we are making at Addenbrooke’s and beyond with sharing health records means researchers, healthcare professionals, and the public can work together for a healthier future, while respecting individuals and keeping personal information safe. This event will highlight the progress being made and open up questions about protecting patients’ data as well as their health.”

During the same day, visitors will also be able to take a look behind the scenes of Cambridge University Hospital (CUH). CUH is a leading national centre for specialist treatment and part of the biggest biomedical research cluster in Europe. Visitors will be able to delve into the hi-tech science, research and innovation underway in the hospital during this day of activities and scientific discoveries, providing opportunities to experience the science behind medicine. Visitors will be able to look back at the CUH archive from 1766, to hear about Cambridge and the experimental computer programme, and look forward to the development of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the future for science and research.

Those interested in exploring a career in science and medicine will be able to talk to staff eager to share their knowledge and experience. Meanwhile the exhibits include a chance to have a go at keyhole surgery, see how robots and computers are helping with patient care and walk through a giant inflatable colon. Visitors will also learn more about how dance classes are helping older people recover after a serious fall, listen to experts sharing their knowledge on brain injury and repair, explore 3D imagining techniques, hearing loss, intensive care medicine and imaging the newborn baby brain, and see a demonstration of the da vinci robot which takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand.

Ahead of the CBC science day, an event on Thursday 19 March will explore the alternative side of healthcare by exploring the history and controversy that has grown around homeopathy since it began in the 1790s. Professor of Biophysical Pharmaceutics, Jayne Lawrence, from King’s College London, will explore the scientific and medical evidence proposed by modern homeopaths and whether homeopathic practice has anything to offer modern medicine during her talk Homeopathy: science fact or science fiction?

Commenting on the use of homeopathic remedies and their effectiveness, Professor Lawrence said: “Any discussion of the (lack of) scientific and/or clinical evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy to treat illness always elicits a strong reaction, both from those who believe it works and those who are against its use. The fact is, however, that using methods by which conventional medicines are judged there is no scientific evidence, or indeed any clinical data to support its use over and above as a placebo.”

Other events on Sunday 22 March include:

MEG and Me will reveal the results of the public MEG and Me brain experiment looking at our dynamic brains doing things such as lying, being stressed and learning.

Talks from Cambridge Institute for Medical Research at the Clinical School. Preventing heart attacks and strokes: Professor Jim Huntington discusses the potential of new anti-coagulant therapies. Type 1 diabetes: halting the damage: Dr Frank Waldron-Lynch talks about exciting new research into a novel treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

Also at the Clinical School, actor Stephen McGann from BBC’s Call the Midwife will be talking about the power of science and its place at the heart of public conversation during the event Infectious knowledge: science in popular culture.

For further information about the Cambridge Science Festival or to browse the full range of events, please visit: www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk