Proton therapy in focus during Long Night of the Sciences in Dresden
For one night a year, research institutes, museums and university faculties in Dresden are opening their gates to welcome everyone to learn more about the latest research and science projects. This so-called Long Night of the Sciences attracts every year thousands of “small and big researchers” to visit the different research facilities of the city. With its unique particle therapy system and the special emphasis on research, OncoRay is also opening its gates for everyone who would like to have a look on proton therapy and the different research projects performed. On 15th of June this year, it was again possible to learn more about principles of particle therapy and to visit the proton treatment facility – a unique opportunity, as it is usually not accessible for the public.
Johannes Petzold, OMA Fellow based at IBA, took the opportunity to join the Long Night of the Sciences at OncoRay to discuss and present the basic principles of proton therapy. During the whole evening, he explained the basics of dose deposition, patient treatment, and his own research within OMA. The general idea behind protons was of most interest, especially the question about the differences to conventional radiation therapy but also the necessity of research to further improve the therapy. Furthermore, the visitors had the chance to win small prizes by solving a small quiz with the help of the experts or by accelerating marbles in a mechanical cyclotron.
The event was a great success and several hundred visitors came during the evening to OncoRay to learn more about the latest research.