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Research Journey to Better Health
18 March 2010
A public open day for all ages
A busy and successful open day was held in the West Wing atrium at the John Radcliffe Hospital in March. The event was hosted by the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre| (OxBRC) which funds and supports patient-centred research. There were short talks, posters and interactive displays by 14 different 'research themes'.
What appeared to be a smoothie bar was actually the Genetics research theme's 'science in the kitchen' demonstration; how to extract DNA from strawberries. On another stall vistors could use an ultrasound machine to test the density of water-filled surgical gloves. There was BMI, blood sugar and blood pressure testing, and cuddly white blood cells to chuck at the hepatitis C virus. Artist Emma Reynard recorded the comments and memories evoked in visitors who sniffed vials of various scents.
The day was opened by Professor Keith Channon, Director of the OxBRC, who emphasised how the event opened our doors to show the public how much research goes into improving patient care. The research is carried out by doctors, nurses and therapists in our hospitals, in partnership with the University of Oxford.
Former Crystal Palace and England footballer Geoff Thomas spoke about surviving leukaemia and raising money to fund research into better cures for blood diseases. He stressed how important it is for people to get involved in research.
There were also cafe talks on safer pregnancy research and infection control, and a secondary school session on 'designer genes'.
The evening's events were introduced by Dame Fiona Caldicott, Chairman of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, and began with a panel discussion on ageing and research. Eminent doctors discussed their latest research projects and described the positive impact on the care their patients receive.