Science in action: CRG opens up access to genomics at Congreso Futuro 2026
For the second consecutive year, the Center for Genome Regulation (IM-CRG) strengthened its role in participatory science communication at Congreso Futuro 2026. With an interactive stand designed to bring science beyond laboratory walls, the center invited the public to explore the fascinating world of DNA and biodiversity.
The driving force behind knowledge: students take the lead
The spirit of the stand came from those at the forefront of research today: master’s and doctoral students from CRG’s laboratories. With enthusiasm and scientific rigor, they translated complex processes into accessible experiences, guiding hundreds of visitors through conversations on equal terms that turned curiosity into shared learning.
Cutting-edge technology within everyone’s reach
Far from a passive exhibition, the stand became a dynamic laboratory. Visitors not only watched but also interacted with state-of-the-art technological tools, including:
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Portable MinION sequencers (Oxford Nanopore): Compact devices that read the genetic code in real time.
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BentoLab platforms: Integrated molecular biology workstations that enable experiments outside traditional settings.
These interactions allowed children, young people and adults to handle scientific instruments and discover that science is a living, accessible tool for understanding the challenges around us.
Institutional recognition and scientific dialogue
The initiative’s importance was recognized by prominent authorities, including Undersecretary of Science Cristián Cuevas and Universidad de Chile Rector Rosa Devés, who valued CRG’s efforts to connect advanced research with public purpose. The stand also served as a meeting point for Chilean and international researchers, strengthening collaborative networks in an open science outreach setting.
Beyond the laboratory
With this participation, CRG reaffirms its commitment to science that is not only produced in academia but also discussed and experienced in everyday life. By taking science out of the laboratory, the center does more than share information: it inspires future careers. Among the cables, tubes and screens, we may have glimpsed the scientists who will lead the search for tomorrow’s answers.