Researchers from the University of Coimbra host “Talk Show” to explore myths and facts about stem cells

The Talk Show: Stem Cells Rock! will take place on International Stem Cell Awareness Day, 9 October, and aims to educate the general public about stem cell research and its importance to our health, using artistic content and informal conversations to debunk myths and reveal truths and facts about stem cells for audiences of all ages. The initiative includes interviews, satire, sketches, and music, bringing together scientists, artists, and science communicators on stage at the Coimbra Music Conservatory Auditorium on Wednesday, 9 October, at 6 pm. Attendance is free, but prior registration is required here.

Stem Cells Rock! will feature a special guest appearance by João Ramalho-Santos, a researcher at the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC) of the University of Coimbra, Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, and UC Vice-Rector for Research.

Before the public session, the Talk Show: Stem Cells Rock! project team will present their show to an audience of secondary school students on the same day (9 October), with special guest Lino Ferreira, CNC-UC researcher and coordinating researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra. Both sessions aim to evaluate the impact of the talk show format in communicating science and engaging young people in the subject.

Commenting on the choice of stem cells as the event’s theme, Ricardo Neves, a researcher at the CNC-UC and the Centre for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB), said: "The public perception is that stem cells are those collected and stored when a baby is born, which is far from the reality. Stem cells are much more than that: all our organs contain stem cells that allow our bodies to renew themselves and function optimally on a daily basis. If this process of stem cell renewal fails, the human body will fall ill," added the coordinator of the initiative.

Neves adds that the talk show format allows for a more accessible and entertaining interaction with the public, featuring a host who engages with various guests “through different segments, such as interviews, satires on product marketing, sketches, humorous and dramatic moments, and music, which can help explain complex issues in a simple way, countering pseudo-science.”

"We believe that the different characters and the way they interact with each other, through interviews, theatrical moments and live music with a band we created for the occasion, can help the audience understand the vast world of stem cell research and what it means, focusing on different systems and organs of the human body," he said. "We also want to explore themes like birth, development, health and death in a light-hearted and dynamic way that will engage the audience and raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

The Talk Show: Stem Cells Rock! project was one of the winners of the 4th edition of the 'Initiative for the Promotion of Scientific Culture', organised by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Coimbra. This initiative aims to support interdisciplinary and cultural scientific communication activities that share the knowledge generated at UC with diverse audiences.

The project is a collaboration between CNC-UC/CiBB, Casa da Música, Fábrica - Centro Ciência Viva de Aveiro and the University of Aveiro, and is supported by the Portuguese Society of Stem Cells and Cell Therapy.

More information about the project are available at www.cnc.uc.pt/pt/scicomm-projects/stem-cells-rock