A Touch of Heart to Cure Cancer

27 October 2024: as the 22nd edition of the Genoa Festival of Science unfolds scientists from the ICGEB and University of Siena performed a heartfelt show entitled "A Touch of Heart to CureCancer".

The event took place in the Higher Council Hall (Sala del Maggior Consiglio) of the Doge's Palace in the historic heart of the city.

Serena Zacchigna, Head of Cardiovascular Biology at ICGEB and Domenico Prattichizzo of the Department of Information Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Siena teamed up with young researchers from their labs to recite - on stage - the journey of their project to develop a wearable robotic device capable of reproducing the heartbeat on cancer-affected tissues.

"Heart cancer is very rare," affirms Dr. Zacchigna. "The CANCEL project is inspired by the concept that mechanical forces that occur in a beating heart could stop heart cells from dividing, and the same reason could be behind cancer cells not growing inside the heart."

The revolutionary collaboration stems from the scientists' first meeting to discuss robotics at the Trieste Science & the City public engagement event, in 2021. The scientific journey that ensued was brought to the stage, combining research, theatre and music in an engaging lecture-show, as part of the Festival of Science.
With an original screenplay by Alessandra Cotoloni and Sarita Massai, the audience experienced a journey into the world of research where different expertise and intuition can combine to lead the way to new therapies.

Considered an "ode to science", the story tells of the tenacity to explore the new, and the determination of those who believe in the power of knowledge. With the heartbeat as a symbol of hope and resilience.

The event brought the public closer to research in an exciting and direct way. An experience to remember, and to repeat.