The Institute of Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), a joint centre of the CSIC and the University of Valencia, played a prominent role in Expociència 2026, the open day held at the University of Valencia Science Park on 9 May. Through a wide range of interactive workshops, I2SysBio showcased the research carried out at its facilities to more than 3,000 visitors.

This year’s event, organised by the Science Park with the support of the University of Valencia, the CSIC in the Valencian Community and the Valencian Regional Government, brought together more than 80 organisations and offered over a hundred outreach activities under the theme “Caring through science”. Despite the rain, which partially affected the day’s programme, the event went ahead as planned and attracted a significant number of visitors throughout the morning.

In this context, I2SysBio established itself as one of the fair’s main attractions thanks to a programme designed for all audiences. Throughout the day, thousands of people visited and actively participated in the workshops organised by the centre’s research staff. These activities were designed to demonstrate how science contributes to improving human, animal and planetary health.

Participatory science for all audiences

I2SysBio took part with the following activities:

Virus Hunters allowed participants to engage in the search for phages—viruses capable of combating multidrug-resistant bacteria—addressing one of the major challenges currently facing global health: antibiotic resistance.

The Final Battle: Antibodies vs Antigens introduced young children to how the immune system works through a game that simulates the action of vaccines.

Plants vs Viruses showed how plants defend themselves against viral infections, combining in vitro cultivation, scientific demonstrations and an educational card game.

Yeast Volcano demonstrated the action of the enzyme catalase through simple, eye-catching experiments that illustrate fundamental processes in living organisms.

‘What protein is hidden in your name?’ enabled participants to discover how DNA is translated into proteins and gives rise to life by identifying a sequence associated with their name.

Life in Colours introduced the public to the structure of DNA by building a double helix using origami, as well as experimenting with colour changes to understand basic concepts of biochemistry such as pH.

These activities enabled visitors to understand complex concepts in a practical and accessible way, as well as to interact directly with the institute’s research staff.

Bringing science closer to society

I2SysBio’s participation in Expociència reflects its commitment to science communication and knowledge transfer to society. Through initiatives such as this, the institute helps foster scientific vocations, promote critical thinking and raise awareness of global challenges such as infectious diseases, sustainability and food security.

With nearly 3,000 visitors, Expociència once again confirmed its position as a key meeting point for both the scientific community and the general public. In this context, I2SysBio reaffirms its role as a leading centre in interdisciplinary research and as an active contributor to building a more informed, critical and engaged society.