The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation at the University of Manchester and SHE choir, Manchester are collaborating to bring Bluedot ‘Singing for Lung Health’: an exploration of the link between singing and health, focussing on inflammatory lung diseases.

This interactive workshop will combine informative discussions by leading researchers with fun, improvised singing for you to put your lung capacities to the test! You will find out why the immune system in your lungs is so important and how this can lead to diseases such as asthma and COPD when it goes wrong. We’ll also discuss and practice how singing can improve your lung health! The singing element will include breathing and voice exercises as well as easy singing rounds, followed by a performance of SHE Choir.

With singing’s positive effect on both physical and mental health, and doctors recommending singing for your lung health, this workshop is a unique participatory experience, mixing ground-breaking science with singing! Most importantly, these sessions are suitable for all ages, and accessible to all, with no prerequisites for physical, singing or academic ability!

Session titles:

Friday:
Singing for Lung Health and COPD
Speakers: Inés Diaz del Olmo and Alexandros Karampatzakis

Saturday:
Singing for Lung Health and Cancer
Speakers: Susanne Dechantsreiter and Sarah Harbach

Sunday:
Singing for Lung Health and Asthma
Speakers: Sarah Harbach and Roseanna Hare

Speakers:

Susanne Dechantsreiter – I studied chemistry in Germany, Australia and France and am currently investigating the nano-dynamics of receptor molecules in the membrane of lung and blood-derived macrophages. I also study the secretion of vesicles by macrophages. My free time is best spent singing or by reading a good book outside.

Alexandros Karampatzakis – During my bachelor degree, I studied at the University of Thessaly in Larissa in the department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Then, I did my masters at the University of Uppsala in Medical Research with a focus on molecular medicine. Currently, I am a PhD student at the University of Manchester, where I investigate the response of NK cells to variable mAbs therapies. I’m most happy when it’s sunny outside.

Inés Diaz del Olmo – I graduated from Alcala de Henares University with a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Health Biology in 2015 and completed a MRes in Microbiology from Autonomous University of Madrid in 2016. I am currently investigating the crosstalk between the complement system and the inflammasome in macrophages. I spent my free time dancing, travelling and enjoying outdoor activities when the weather of Manchester is gentle (unfortunately, not very often).

Sarah Harbach – I did my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of York during which I spent a year at a pharmaceutical company. Here I developed a fascination with ‘biomarkers’: molecules we can detect in biological fluids such as blood and plasma that can be used to diagnose disease or monitor its progression and I’ve followed this interest ever since. I’m currently in my second year of PhD at the University of Manchester where I’m looking at the nose as a source of biomarkers for use in lung cancer screening programmes. Outside of PhD, I’m an avid hiker, or when the weathers bad, I spend my time painting or doing pottery.

Roseanna Hare – I graduated with an Integrated Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Sheffield in 2017, having spent a year working for AstraZeneca in Sweden. Prior to starting my PhD I worked in the publishing team for the Nature journals, as part of Springer Nature. I am currently investigating the nanoscale organisation of therapeutically relevant inhibitory receptors in NK cells. Outside of the lab I enjoy anything food related, especially going for brunch.