To mark British Science Week 2024 Manchester Museum hosted two days of activities on the 11th and 12th of March for over 500 students and visitors. 

The Becker was in attendance with stands covering two different themes – ridding viruses from the body and scary skin science – manned by our Institute Director Professor Tracy Hussell, Professor Dave Thornton, Professor Richard Grencis, Dr Jo Pennock and affiliated Becker postdocs, research assistants, and PhD students. 

Maana Layeghi, Professor Tracy Hussell, Holly Sedgwick

Activities for the virus stand included ‘Neutrialise the Virus’ and an adapted funfair game called ‘Splat the Virus!’ – which proved to be a big hit with attendees (both figuratively and literally!) – and a lung function test.  The activities showcased how the body neutralises viruses via antibodies and T cells and the impact of infection on lung health. 

Professor Tracy Hussell with ‘Splat the Virus!’ and a host of Becker prizes and giveaways

Our scary skin science stand included a microscope to view skin sections, sealed petri dishes with skin microbes, and a guess the number of bacteria competition. Attendees learned that the skin is covered in bacteria which controls inflammation and defends against infection.

Undergrad student Matilda Goff and Dr Gurdeep Singh manning the ‘scary skin science’ stall

A big thank you to all of our volunteers who helped to make our activities such a big hit with attendees: 

• Sara Kirkham
• Ziyun Zhang
• Maana Layeghi
• Holly Sedgwick
• Dr Kelly Hayes
• Ilayda Akbulut
• Dr Helen Williams 
• Dr Gurdeep Singh
• Matilda Goff

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