Can Ruti researchers bring science to the heart of Badalona

Talks and workshops to connect research with the community

Science Week extended its reach for a few extra days in Badalona. The Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (HUGTiP), the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), IrsiCaixa, the Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, and the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) joined forces to organise "Science up close for everyone", an event held last Wednesday at Badalona's Town Square and Town Hall, where scientific research stepped out of the laboratories to engage directly with the public.

Researchers from various research and healthcare sites on the Can Ruti Campus shared their scientific knowledge with Badalona residents of all ages through engaging talks and interactive workshops. Among these, Anna Rueda and Helena Rodríguez, from IGTP's Endocrine Tumours group, introduced concepts such as personalised medicine and epigenetics with hands-on activities inspired by their laboratory work.

Both researchers were very pleased with the initiative's reception: "It was a fantastic way to bring our research closer to people and to show both children and adults what working in a lab is really like".

In addition to the workshops, talks were given on a wide range of health topics, including schistosomiasis, nursing research, cancer biomarkers, ageing, and endocrine disruptors.

Cristina Casanovas, deputy director of Nursing at HUGTiP and co-leader of IGTP's Nursing Research Care Group (NURECARE), shared insights into the work her group has carried out in its initial years.

Another highlight was the presentation of the European HYPIEND project by Paula Sol Ventura, paediatrician at HUGTiP and researcher in IGTP's Woman & Health group, alongside Raquel Rodríguez, Marta Ocaña, and Anna Sala. They explained how the project addresses the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on vulnerable populations and investigates interventions to reduce exposure, particularly in pregnant women and prepubescent children.

The HYPIEND study, coordinated by Eurecat, involves two clinical trials in Spain, Belgium, and Poland to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent behavioural intervention. This includes workshops and a mobile app aimed at reducing EDC exposure levels in women and their children up to 18 months post-delivery, as well as in children aged 6 to 8 years.

"The experience this week has been incredibly enriching", said the researchers. "It is an excellent opportunity to bring science closer to the general public and raise awareness of how our habits can impact health".

IGTP is committed to promoting scientific communication, visibility, and societal impact. Through outreach initiatives, the institute aims to foster awareness, particularly among young people, contributing to a more informed society that values research.

This year marked the 29th edition of Setmana de la Ciència, a program spearheaded by the Catalan Government and the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI).