Beyond the Drug: Cells, Relationships and Contexts That Make Therapies Effective
On Friday 25 September 2026, the former Salesiani Complex in Faenza hosts the 2026 edition of the European Researchers’ Night, promoted by the Ravenna Campus – Faenza Teaching Centre of the University of Bologna.
The interdisciplinary and participatory event explores how the effectiveness of treatments does not depend exclusively on the pharmacological molecule, but on the interaction between biological, psychological, behavioural, relational and environmental factors. Through interactive desks, practical demonstrations and workshops, the public will be able to discover the importance of prevention, treatment adherence and scientific research.
Day Programme
- 5:30–6:00 PM: Welcome, participant registration, opening ceremony with institutional greetings and welcome aperitif.
- 5:30–8:00 PM: Opening of the stands and interactive thematic desks.
- 8:15 PM – “Dancing Through Time – Rhythms of Health”: Performance and demonstration of dance styles from the last 100 years, from folk to Latin American dances, to promote movement and physical activity. Curated by Filippo Piccinini with GaPi Weddings & Events, Pueblo Latino Forlì Dance School and Gruppo di Ballo MaViL Faenza.
Thematic Stands and Desks
5:30–8:00 PM
- Psychology – Expectations, Trust and Placebo: The role of emotional context, communication and the care relationship in the perception of treatments, curated by K. Mattarozzi and A. Bagnis.
- Pulmonology – Breathing Treatment Properly: Demonstrations on the correct use of inhalers in adults and children, and principles of clinical trials, curated by C. Ravaglia.
- Medical Physics – Microscopy and Technologies: Microscopic observations and imaging tools to visualise cellular changes induced by treatments, curated by F. Piccinini.
- Molecular Biology – Movement and Therapy: How physical activity and an active lifestyle improve the response to pharmacological treatments, curated by M. Conte.
- Microbiology – Using Antibiotics Properly Today: Practical activities on antibiotic resistance and the responsible use of medicines, curated by A. M. De Pascali.
- Biology and Histology – Dose, Time and Cells: A microscopic journey through tissues to understand the impact of dosage and administration timing, curated by D. Romaniello and F. Facchin.
- Nursing – Caring for Care: Simulations and therapeutic education on the role of care and adherence to treatments, curated by V. Cremonini.
- Paediatrics – Small Patients, Big Differences: Adapting molecules, dosages and formulations from newborns to adults, curated by E. Cocchi.
- Medical Genetics – DNA and Drug Responses: Real-time DNA extraction and a focus on cancer genetics for personalised therapies, curated by G. Gasparre.
- Nutrition – Food and Medicines: The interaction between diet, supplements, beverages and drug absorption in everyday life, curated by S. Valente.
- Speech Therapy – The Voice and Its Needs: How the vocal cords function, lifestyle choices and the integration of speech therapy and pharmaceutical treatment, curated by B. Piani.
Tecnopolo Space and Innovation in Materials – C-HUB
Exhibition and information points curated by the Ravenna Tecnopolo – Faenza Centre to discover engineered materials, from ceramics to carbon.
- Activity: Interactive puzzle game exploring the weight of carbon and ceramic objects.
- Special Guest: Exhibition of a Formula 1 car from the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team.
- Partners: CIFLA, CNR-ISSMC, RomagnaTech, ENEA, Certimac, Blacks srl, Bucci Composites spa and Racing Bulls.
Useful Information
- Date: Friday 25 September 2026
- Time: From 5:30 PM to approximately 9:00 PM
- Location: Former Salesiani Complex, Via Don Giovanni Bosco 1, 48018 Faenza (RA)
- Promoter: University of Bologna – Ravenna Campus, Faenza Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences
- Admission: Free and open to the public
