From Lab to Society: The Faculty of Science at the 2025 Geneva Inventions Fair
Invention rarely springs from a solitary stroke of genius—it is often built patiently, at the crossroads of scientific curiosity, societal commitment, and technical perseverance. This year, several teams from the Faculty of Science demonstrated, at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the vitality of this intersection between fundamental research and real-world application. Here’s a look at some of the initiatives led by researchers determined to embed their science in the fabric of society.
A Camera for Breast Cancer Surgery
For Professor Domenico Della Volpe, a particle physicist, the path to innovation stems from a personal drive: turning high-end technology into a tool for medicine. His project involves developing a miniaturized camera designed for breast cancer surgeries, helping to reduce procedural invasiveness and postoperative side effects. Supported by the European Union and partnered with Swiss companies for hardware and software development, this technology also integrates augmented reality to assist surgeons. A start-up is currently in the works—with a first clinical procedure in sight, marking a successful transition from lab to bedside.
Cutting Pesticides with Lasers
In a completely different field, Professor Jean-Pierre Wolf from the Department of Applied Physics presented a laser-based detection system for vineyard pathogens. Using holography, this technology can detect diseases like downy mildew early, significantly reducing the need for pesticides. While the project initially targets vineyards, it holds potential for broader agricultural applications. Commercial development is on the horizon, driven by a triple aim: protecting health, preserving the environment, and enhancing product quality.
Revealing the Invisible
At the heart of living matter, the duo Paul Guichard and Virginie Hamel from the Department of Molecular Biology unveiled an innovation in expansion microscopy. Their contribution? A fixation molecule that preserves cellular architecture while expanding observational possibilities. This technique opens new avenues for studying diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In the long term, the team aims to establish the first European platform dedicated to this technique, accessible to both Swiss and international researchers.
A Simple Optical Solution for Complex Needs
Jérémie Theyssier, a physicist in the Department of Quantum Matter Physics, presented an innovative optical module developed as part of an internal instrumentation project. The challenge: to combine two laser beams while preserving their polarization—an essential condition for many physics experiments. The chosen solution is based on a long-known but rarely exploited physical principle, implemented entirely passively—without energy consumption—and designed for 3D printing.
This approach stands out for its simplicity, reproducibility, and low manufacturing cost, breaking with the active systems typically used. Still in prototype stage, the module is currently being optimized and will soon be tested in various environments. The goal is to offer a market-ready version by the end of 2025, adaptable to the needs of a wide range of users.
Personalizing Cancer Treatment
At the head of the Cancer Systems Pharmacology Group, Associate Professor Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska from the Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences is developing a platform for tailored drug combinations. The idea: to use a patient’s tumor sample to identify—within just a few days—a therapeutic combination that is both effective and well tolerated. Still in the validation phase, this approach could significantly speed up access to personalized treatments, particularly for advanced-stage cancers.
With a first Phase I clinical trial on the horizon, the team is now seeking to secure investor support to move the project toward clinical application. Beyond its medical potential, this technology also interests the pharmaceutical industry due to its ability to integrate complex combination therapies into a streamlined treatment protocol. An innovation with strong clinical and societal impact.
Scientific Awakening from an Early Age
Lastly, the presence of Scienscope—led by Michel Gauthier-Clerc—reminds us that innovation is not limited to technology. Through playful science workshops, the center welcomed families and children throughout the Inventions Fair. Its goal: to spark scientific vocations while promoting a vision of science that is open, critical, and oriented toward the common good. Each year, Scienscope reaches over 25,000 Geneva schoolchildren. Its participation in the Fair is part of a broader mission of public engagement—an essential pillar of the modern university.
Innovation as Culture
Through these projects—diverse in form but united by a shared sense of purpose—the Faculty of Science demonstrates one of its core guiding principles: facilitating knowledge transfer in a spirit of responsibility and public value. While innovation is often described as a steep path—navigating intellectual property, technological development, funding, and market entry—here it is seen as the ethical extension of research.
By showcasing these journeys, the Inventions Fair becomes not only a platform but also a space for collective reflection on the role of science in a changing society. And in this effort, the Faculty fully intends to continue playing an active role.
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