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The Life Sciences community got together to showcase science across a range of areas at this year’s Great Exhibition Road Festival.

Staff and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ from across the department wowed the public with a variety of stalls and talks at the annual festival of science and the arts, which was this year scaled up to include stalls at Hyde Park.

Annual festival in South Kensington

The is Imperial’s flagship public event, run in partnership with the Natural History Museum, Royal College of Music, Science Museum, V&A, Royal Albert Hall and many more. It is a fun, free celebration of science and the arts, with research teams from across the College involved in delivering talks, demonstrations and exhibits.

The event is designed and delivered by Imperial’s central Outreach and Public Engagement teams, led by , Vice-President (International).

Underground Fungal Networks

The Imperial Fungal Science Network ran the Underground Fungal Networks stand, led by , , and Anna Lee, alongside a team of enthusiastic volunteers and Imperial ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. The stand highlighted the interconnected nature of fungi and plants, educating visitors about fungal networks beneath the soil and the important role they play in carbon capture and biodiversity.

Located in the festival’s Underground Adventure Zone, the stand included a range of interactive activities welcoming visitors of all ages. The main attraction was a giant artwork drawing wall created by Dr Stanley, depicting plants and their root systems from a fieldwork site at Wakehurst, Sussex. Festivalgoers were encouraged to learn about different fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plants and connect them to roots using information provided on activity cards.

The activity attracted visitors of all ages, encouraging them to learn about fungal networks while expressing their creativity and asking questions about the science behind them.

"It was wonderful to see visitors of all ages get excited to learn about the science we develop here at Imperial, and to explore the extraordinary world of fungi." Cansu Ayabakan

For younger science enthusiasts, the stand also featured a mini-library of fungi-themed picture books, complete with mushroom plushies and beanbags. This created a welcoming space for young visitors to explore science through reading for pleasure. At the entrance to the marquee, visitors were greeted by Blueprint for the Novacene, a cyanotype artwork by artist which was inspired by the fungal network research.

Cansu Ayabakan said: ‘It was wonderful to see visitors of all ages get excited to learn about the science we develop here at Imperial, and to explore the extraordinary world of fungi.’

UK Wildlife Wonders

The Imperial Silwood Park volunteer team ran an activity developed with input from and in collaboration with artist . The activity created a fun and accessible space where children and families could learn about UK wildlife and the ways ecosystems support society, the economy and the natural world.

"Outreach activities are always very special and it was lovely to see children and families engaging with UK wildlife in a creative way and becoming more curious about the nature around them." Leticia Oliveira MRes student

Visitors created puppets inspired by British ecosystems and made short comics exploring ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, carbon storage, pest control, and protection against flooding and fires. While creating their artwork, participants spoke with volunteers about local species, why they matter, and how nature is often much closer to us than we realise.

MRes student Leticia Oliveira who ran the stall said: ‘It was such a rewarding experience to take part in this activity and interact with people of different ages. Outreach activities are always very special and it was lovely to see children and families engaging with UK wildlife in a creative way and becoming more curious about the nature around them.’

Outsmarting Cancer: Tracking Resistance and Adapting Treatment in Real-Time

Researchers from Dr Nadia Guerra's lab ran an exhibit, showcasing how new technologies could help clinicians detect cancer earlier and monitor treatment resistance through simple blood samples.

The exhibit illustrated the journey of a patient's blood sample through a diagnostic platform being developed by the team. Visitors explored a series of interactive stations, including displays showing how the immune system and immunotherapies work to fight cancer, how biomarkers can be captured from blood samples, and how nanopore sequencing and artificial intelligence can be used to identify genetic changes that allow cancer cells to resist treatment.

The team also gave visitors the opportunity to observe cancer cells under a microscope and take part in a liquid biopsy game, helping to explain how traces of cancer can be detected and monitored in real time.

Alongside raising awareness of immunotherapies and their growing role in cancer treatment, the researchers discussed how their technology could help oncologists make more informed and personalised treatment decisions. The activity also encouraged conversations about the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging diagnostic technologies and inspired young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Ideas That Will Change the World

took part in the panel discussion Ideas That Will Change the World, which invited audiences to explore some of the most exciting breakthroughs emerging from Imperial research.

The session brought together three leading scientists to argue that their work represents a fundamental shift in science. Topics included harnessing the body’s own pain-relief systems to rethink pain treatment, reclassifying diseases through their molecular signatures, and exploring how ultra-thin materials could underpin future electronic and quantum technologies.

Myth Busting the Immune System

delivered a talk exploring some of the most common myths surrounding the immune system.

Addressing questions such as whether orange juice can help prevent colds, how ageing affects immunity, and whether inflammation is linked to mental health, Professor Davis unpacked the science behind widely held beliefs and health claims.

Drawing on the latest findings from his laboratory at Imperial, the session gave festival audiences a deeper understanding of how the immune system works and how evidence can help separate fact from fiction.

Next year

The Great Exhibition Road Festival once again brought together researchers, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, artists and members of the public for a weekend of discovery, creativity and conversation.

We look forward to seeing Life Sciences represented again at next year’s festival. If you have an idea for a stall, please contact Emily Govan at e.govan@imperial.ac.uk