From 20 to 24 June 2026, RESIST joined the Medical School Hannover (MHH) at IdeenExpo 2026, inviting visitors to explore the fascinating world of infection research through a range of interactive activities.

A particular highlight of the RESIST exhibit was the virtual reality (VR) experience. Using VR headsets, visitors immersed themselves in a 3D animation illustrating herpesvirus infection. The experience demonstrated how the virus enters the human body and what happens during the course of an infection at the cellular level. The immersive visualization attracted visitors of all ages and sparked many engaging discussions about infectious diseases and biomedical research.

To complement the VR experience, RESIST offered a themed quiz and a magnetic puzzle in which participants reconstructed the infection pathway of the herpesvirus step by step. Successful participants received small prizes, including temporary tattoos featuring viruses, bacteria, and different types of human cells, which proved especially popular with younger visitors.

The MHH exhibition stand as a whole offered a wide variety of hands-on activities, allowing visitors to gain insights into clinical practice and experience different aspects of healthcare and biomedical science firsthand. Throughout the five-day event, the stand attracted a large number of visitors and generated great interest.

The success of the RESIST exhibit was made possible by the dedication of the entire team. Researchers, early-career scientists, students, and volunteers from across the RESIST consortium enthusiastically supported the exhibition, answered visitors’ questions, and shared their passion for infection research.

Held every two years, IdeenExpo is one of Europe’s largest youth events dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It provides companies, research institutions, and universities with an opportunity to showcase their work, inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology, and offer hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity and learning. Visitors can conduct experiments, test their knowledge, and explore a wide range of scientific and technical professions.

For RESIST, IdeenExpo 2026 was an excellent opportunity to make infection research accessible to the public and to inspire visitors with the importance of research on infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.