{"id":4237,"date":"2026-07-21T14:19:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T13:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/?p=4237"},"modified":"2026-07-21T14:19:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T13:19:22","slug":"splatting-viruses-and-building-immunity-the-becker-at-the-universally-manchester-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/2026\/07\/21\/splatting-viruses-and-building-immunity-the-becker-at-the-universally-manchester-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Splatting viruses and building immunity: the Becker at the Universally Manchester Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;322&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=&#8221;322&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; menu_id=&#8221;7&#8243; submenu_direction=&#8221;downwards&#8221; fullwidth_menu=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; module_class=&#8221;main-navigation&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;2&#8243;][et_pb_row_inner locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;2_3&#8243;][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; title=&#8221;on&#8221; meta=&#8221;on&#8221; author=&#8221;on&#8221; date=&#8221;on&#8221; categories=&#8221;on&#8221; comments=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_placement=&#8221;above&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_background=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">On Saturday 13 June, the Lydia Becker Institute brought the world of immunology out of the lab and into the community by taking part in The University of Manchester\u2019s Community Fair at University Place, part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/universallymanchester.com\/event\/community-fair-hands-hearts-minds\/\">Universally Manchester Festival<\/a>. This vibrant, annual event opens the University&#8217;s doors to celebrate research, culture, and community collaboration in a completely free, family-friendly space.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">This year&#8217;s festival was incredibly lively, welcoming over 2,700 visitors from our local neighbourhoods and beyond. It provided an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to connect directly with researchers, staff, and community partners to explore the science shaping our world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Under our banner Breathe, Build, and Battle: The Science of Immunity, we hosted an interactive stand designed to show how the human body detects and destroys infections. Using hands-on games &#8211; including a virus-splatting challenge named Splat the Virus!, an immune cell spinning wheel, and white blood cell target practice &#8211; our team demonstrated the critical role immune cells play in clearing viruses and maintaining lung health. It was a fantastic opportunity for our researchers to translate their daily research into accessible, real-world concepts for an enthusiastic public audience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">We\u2019d like to send a big thank you to our brilliant team of volunteers who represented the Becker so brilliantly and made it all happen:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Aleina Alex<\/li>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Fariha Khanom<\/li>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Ilse Mendoza Trujillo<\/li>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Lydia Thompson<\/li>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Mang Xu<\/li>\n<li class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\">Erin-Claire Pallott<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; in_same_term=&#8221;off&#8221; show_prev=&#8221;on&#8221; show_next=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;Previous&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; show_avatar=&#8221;on&#8221; show_reply=&#8221;on&#8221; show_count=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;51&#8243; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;2&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_icon_placement=&#8221;right&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_use_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover=&#8221;null&#8221; \/][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Related posts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Related<\/h1>\n<!-- relpost-thumb-wrapper --><div class=\"relpost-thumb-wrapper\"><!-- filter-class --><div class=\"relpost-thumb-container\"><h3>Related posts:<\/h3><div style=\"clear: both\"><\/div><div style=\"clear: both\"><\/div><!-- relpost-block-container --><div class=\"relpost-block-container relpost-block-column-layout\" style=\"--relposth-columns: 3;--relposth-columns_t: 2; --relposth-columns_m: 2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/2020\/10\/02\/did-donald-trump-put-joe-biden-at-risk-of-catching-covid-at-presidential-debate\/\"class=\"relpost-block-single\" ><div class=\"relpost-custom-block-single\"><div class=\"relpost-block-single-image rpt-lazyload\" aria-label=\"Virus cells transmitted through the air.\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2021\/01\/covid-infection-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 150px; height: 150px; aspect-ratio: 1\/1;\"><\/div><div class=\"relpost-block-single-text\"  style=\"height: 75px;font-family: Arial;  font-size: 12px;  color: #333333;\"><h2 class=\"relpost_card_title\">Did Donald Trump put Joe Biden at risk of catching COVID at Presidential Debate?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/2026\/08\/17\/professor-sarah-gaffen-announced-as-incoming-lydia-becker-institute-director\/\"class=\"relpost-block-single\" ><div class=\"relpost-custom-block-single\"><div class=\"relpost-block-single-image rpt-lazyload\" aria-label=\"Sarah Gaffen.\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/08\/sarah_gaffen_720x405-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 150px; height: 150px; aspect-ratio: 1\/1;\"><\/div><div class=\"relpost-block-single-text\"  style=\"height: 75px;font-family: Arial;  font-size: 12px;  color: #333333;\"><h2 class=\"relpost_card_title\">Professor Sarah Gaffen announced as incoming Lydia Becker Institute Director<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/2020\/11\/10\/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine\/\"class=\"relpost-block-single\" ><div class=\"relpost-custom-block-single\"><div class=\"relpost-block-single-image rpt-lazyload\" aria-label=\"Virus infecting a human cell.\" role=\"img\" data-bg=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2021\/01\/covid-cell-150x150.jpg\" style=\"background: transparent no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 150px; height: 150px; aspect-ratio: 1\/1;\"><\/div><div class=\"relpost-block-single-text\"  style=\"height: 75px;font-family: Arial;  font-size: 12px;  color: #333333;\"><h2 class=\"relpost_card_title\">Pfizer\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine: \u2018Normal life by spring\u2019 after jab stops 9 in 10 infections.<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><!-- close relpost-block-container --><div style=\"clear: both\"><\/div><\/div><!-- close filter class --><\/div><!-- close relpost-thumb-wrapper -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; area=&#8221;sidebar-1&#8243; orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; show_border=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.90&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221; module_class=&#8221;footer-section&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; global_module=&#8221;380&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; allow_player_pause=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_3=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_3=&#8221;off&#8221; make_fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; use_custom_width=&#8221;off&#8221; width_unit=&#8221;on&#8221; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;off&#8221; make_equal=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;footer-row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Contact Us Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Contact Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Contact Us&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#aaaaaa&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;contact-us&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"tel:+441613063771\">+44 (0)161 306 3771<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Find Us Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h4>Find Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Address&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;address&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.manchester.ac.uk\/discover\/maps\/interactive-map\/\">Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation<br \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.manchester.ac.uk\/discover\/maps\/interactive-map\/\">Core Technology Facility\u00a0<br \/>46 Grafton Street<br \/>M13 9NT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; 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This vibrant, annual event opens the University&#8217;s doors to celebrate research, culture, and community collaboration [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":792,"featured_media":4238,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-public-engagement"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/792"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4237"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4241,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237\/revisions\/4241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/lydia-becker-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}