The Francesc Cambó Hall at Sant Pau was filled with people and laughter during ImproCiencia: Aging with a Sense of Humor, an event that brought together biomedical research and improvisational theater to address key questions about health and aging in a lively and engaging way. The activity, which landed in Barcelona for the first time, was part of Science Week and was organized, in its seventh edition, by the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) and the Biomedical Research Networking Center (CIBER). The event, specially aimed at older adults (over 65 years old), received an enthusiastic response, drawing more than 180 attendees.
The show combined the talent of the actors from the ImproIMPAR company with the direct participation of researchers from IR Sant Pau, who are also members of CIBER, bringing scientific rigor and clinical experience to each of the scenes. The initiative is part of the joint work of the Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+i) of both institutions, which extend their collaboration beyond research to include science communication. This reinforces their shared commitment to bringing science closer to society through innovative formats. The goal was to show that science can be communicated differently—one that inspires reflection, emotion, and laughter at the same time.
“ImproCiencia shows that research can be explained in many ways and that science can also move people and make them laugh,” said Dr. Jordi Surrallés, director of IR Sant Pau and member of CIBER, highlighting “the excellent reception of a format that brings research closer to the public with naturalness and warmth.” According to Dr. Surrallés, initiatives like this one “reinforce the mission of Sant Pau and CIBER to bring research closer to society, making it accessible and meaningful for everyone, while showcasing the work of researchers dedicated to improving people’s health.”
Through four short plays inspired by different areas of health, the audience was able to participate actively and discover how research helps to understand and prevent some main diseases associated with aging.
Dr. Idoia Genua and Dr. Alex Mesa, from the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition Group, spoke about type 2 diabetes, a chronic but manageable disease when detected early and properly monitored. In their scene, the audience made decisions that changed the course of the story, illustrating how lifestyle habits directly affect metabolic health. “The message we wanted to convey is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented and controlled,” explained Dr. Idoia Genua, who emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and staying active to reduce the risk of complications.
The researchers used the interaction with the audience to debunk common myths and remind them that losing between 5% and 10% of body weight can significantly improve disease control. “Each patient is different, and that’s why treatment should be like a tailor-made suit that adapts to their needs and disease progression,” added Dr. Alex Mesa. The scene ended with an alternate version of the story showing how prevention and healthy habits can change the course of the disease and improve quality of life.
Meanwhile, Dr. Elena Cortés, from the Neuromuscular Diseases Group, focused her intervention on myasthenia gravis, a rare, chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles, causing weakness and fatigue. Through an interactive performance, the actors recreated the everyday challenges faced by people living with this condition, highlighting how medical and social support can make a difference.
The researcher explained that this disease can appear at any age and, although it has no cure, current treatments allow patients to maintain a good quality of life if diagnosed early. “It’s essential to recognize the first symptoms—such as drooping eyelids or difficulty speaking or chewing—so that we can act quickly and prevent serious complications,” emphasized Dr. Cortés.
The most emotional moment came with the participation of Érika Sánchez, a predoctoral researcher from the Neurobiology of Dementias Group, who studies Alzheimer’s disease. Through a symbolic narrative featuring a “disease-character” that gradually limited the protagonist’s actions, the researcher explained how Alzheimer’s damages neurons due to the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau proteins, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline.
“Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect memory—it also affects identity and relationships with others,” said Érika Sánchez during her talk, stressing that research is “an essential tool for better understanding the disease and developing prevention strategies.” The scene ended with a message of hope, emphasizing the role of prevention through exercise, the Mediterranean diet, proper sleep, and an active social life as key factors in protecting the brain.
To close the show, Dr. Jose Maria Guerra, head of the Clinical and Translational Cardiology Research Group, turned science communication into a lively late-night TV show. With humor and rhythm, he reviewed how the perception of cardiovascular diseases has evolved—from being considered inevitable to being understood as preventable conditions. The cardiologist reminded the audience that studies like the Framingham study demonstrated that factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes are modifiable, and that prevention starts long before the first symptom. He also described recent advances in diagnosis and risk prediction—such as biomarkers, genetics, and artificial intelligence—that are enabling a more personalized approach to medicine.
“Cardiovascular diseases are not an inevitable consequence of aging; today we know that prevention and research have entirely changed how we approach them,” said Dr. Guerra, encouraging the audience to take care of their hearts from a young age.
The performance held the audience’s attention and participation throughout, blending moments of humor, emotion, and shared learning. The balance between scientific accuracy and creative storytelling demonstrated that research can go beyond laboratories and classrooms to become a true meeting point with the public.
Both IR Sant Pau and CIBER value science communication as an essential part of scientific work—a tool that helps explain advances in a clear and relatable way. “Bringing research closer to people is a fundamental part of our mission as an institution,” concluded Dr. Surrallés, “and formats like ImproCiencia make it possible to do so in a dynamic, engaging, and meaningful way.”
The success of participation and the audience’s enthusiastic response consolidate ImproCiencia as a leading example of science communication—one capable of breaking down barriers between biomedical knowledge and everyday life and offering a new perspective on how to age with health, curiosity, and a sense of humor.
