The auditorium was well filled as Marco Gustav, German Science Slam Vice Champion 2023 and PhD student in the KatherLab, took the stage alongside Christoph Schmitt, member of the DKFZ Patient Advisory Board. Together, they welcomed a curious audience to an evening of inspiring and entertaining science. Four young researchers from EKFZ for Digital Health, Dresden University Hospital, NCT – National Center for Tumor Diseases, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) presented their projects in short, creative, and engaging talks, each just within 10 minutes. Their slams explored a range of topics from AI-driven cancer risk detection and microrobotics to genetic predisposition and autonomous surgical systems.

© Ina Würfel / Leipzig University

Puzzle and Design Challenge to develop a binder for the coronavirus

The research group of Jens Meiler took part in the Long Night of Science with two interactive stations. At the first computer-based station in the Medical Faculty’s Study Center, visitors could try out the game FoldIt – a playful introduction to the world of computer-aided protein folding. The second station featured a selection of scientific “puzzles,” including a design challenge to develop a binder for the coronavirus that could block its interaction with the human receptor. Both stations attracted great interest and were very well attended throughout the evening.

[Excerpts from EKFZ press release; Dresden Science Night 2025]