Institute of Genetics and Cancer

IGMM researchers in Edinburgh Festival Fringe

IGMM staff and students perform in a musical about antimicrobial resistance: August 2018

Actors hold up Petri dishes while rehearsing for The Mould that changed the world

IGMM researchers are getting ready for their Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut as part of a musical to engage the public with the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. 

The musical spans Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928, and ends in the present day as world leaders discuss the need for decisive action on antibiotic use.

​​​​​​​Antimicrobial resistance is a problem facing all of us – not just scientists and health professionals – and so I wholeheartedly welcome The Mould that Changed the World

Dr Catherine CalderwoodChief Medical Officer for Scotland

A schools version of the musical in June was covered  by the Lancet Infectious Disease and BMJ and the full length version premieres at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a professional cast and a chorus featuring researchers and healthcare professionals. Sian Robson (postdoctoral scientist, CGEM), Scott Waddell (PhD student, MRC HGU), Moira Stewart (Trials nurse, CRUK Edinburgh Centre) and Helen Nickerson (Science and Strategy Coordinator, MRC HGU) will perform during the Fringe run.

 

Healthcare staff and scientists learning four-part harmonies combined with musical theatre professionals attempting to pronounce the names of antibiotics has made this experience truly enjoyable. And our delivery to the public is fun and unique, highlighting the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance."

Scott WaddellMRC HGU PhD student

It's not just exciting science - it's a proper musical!

Helen NickersonScience and Strategy Coordinator, MRC HGU

 

Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mould-that-changed-the-world 

Review of the Schools Musical in the Lancet Infectious Disease: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30472-9

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