After lunch in front of the FMI building, our guests got hands-on with research and engaged with FMI scientists at the Science Showcases.

September 1, 2025

United by Science: the FMI welcomes 500 Novartis colleagues for Open Day

One year after moving into its new home on the Novartis Campus, the FMI welcomed more than 500 Novartis colleagues to its Open Day on August 28. Under the motto United by Science, visitors explored how FMI’s fundamental research, technology platforms, and collaborations with Novartis drive biomedical discovery.

Interactive showcases brought FMI’s three research areas — Genome Regulation, Neurobiology, and Multicellular Systems — to life. Guests stepped into a virtual reality experience to see how the brain reacts to surprises, extracted DNA from bananas, explored organoids modeling human development, discovered the power of Cryo-EM microscopy, and met the tiny roundworm C. elegans — a model organism that continues to reveal biological secrets.

About 250 colleagues joined guided tours of the new building, while many others engaged in discussions with FMI researchers and learned more about FMI–Novartis collaborations and shared platforms. After a rainy morning, the skies cleared just in time for the event, lifting spirits as guests enjoyed lunch, free soft drinks and ice cream, giveaways, and a fun science quiz.

More than just a glimpse into FMI’s research, the Open Day was a celebration of curiosity, collaboration, and community. The spirit of United by Science was tangible throughout the event — showing how science connects people across disciplines and organizations.