Outwitting Cancer will be an immersive exhibition that explores the science at the forefront of cancer research taking place at the Crick, which is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof.
Opening in 2021, Outwitting Cancer will also be the first exhibition on cancer to take place within the setting of a working science lab in Europe.
Eight specially commissioned films capture conversations between cancer researchers, patients and people with unique personal perspectives on cancer, meeting for the first time to explore some of the big questions driving cancer research.
The series of short films will form the backbone of the exhibition, and include:
· BBC journalist and news presenter George Alagiah, who is living with bowel cancer, meets Vivian Li, Stem Cell and Cancer scientist, who is creating ‘mini-organs’ (organoids) in the quest to personalise cancer treatments.
· Renowned cell biologist Mariann Bienz, who had a lung removed as part of her own cancer treatment, meets Charlie Swanton, Cancer Research UK's (CRUK) Chief Clinician and Francis Crick group leader to talk about the evolution of tumours.
· Lawyer Adam Blain, who had a brain tumour removed, meets scientist Simon Boulton to talk the role of DNA in cancer and his experience of having a tumour which was diagnosed by his wife.
The exhibition will feature a multisensory digital installation in a custom-built cinema. ‘eXistential’ - produced in collaboration with a world class artist collective - weaves together stunning microscopy imagery from Crick researchers, as well as a newly commissioned soundscape from artist Mira Calix.
Cancer remains one of the world’s most widespread and deadly diseases, with 1 in 2 of us developing cancer in our lifetime. Through the immersive films and accompanying exquisite microscopy imagery, Outwitting Cancer addresses questions including “what is cancer?” and “why are so many people still dying from cancer?”.
Visitors will discover the importance of animal models, clinical trials and pharmaceuticals in the research pipeline, as well as the pioneering research taking place at biopharmaceutical companies leveraging patients’ own immune systems to tackle cancer, including GammaDelta Therapeutics and Achilles Therapeutics which both began life at the Crick.
The exhibition will give a first look into the new horizons emerging in cancer research at the Francis Crick which is host to some of the most exceptional cancer researchers in the world.
