How can artificial intelligence help to detect bone fractures? Which cancer therapy protects our healthy cells? How can we use health data to treat each person individually? And what does medicine look like that takes greater account of differences between the sexes? These are the questions addressed by the exhibition on the MS Wissenschaft in the Science Year 2026 - Medicine of the Future. Researchers show how their ideas and work are already shaping the medicine of tomorrow. The exhibition takes a close look at medical research on three levels: from the smallest processes in cells to the interplay between the body, mind and new technologies to the external influences of society and the environment that shape our lives. Visitors can get hands-on with around 30 exhibits in the exhibition. For example, they can test medication on an artificial organ, measure their heartbeat with a camera or immerse themselves virtually in the operating theater of the future. Visitors are also invited to explore the latest research on diseases such as dementia, diabetes and endometriosis at three stations. A visit to the exhibition is recommended for visitors aged twelve and over. The exhibition is usually open daily from 10 am to 6.30 pm. School classes are welcome by appointment from 9 am. Admission is free. Further information: https://ms-wissenschaft.de/de/besuch/besucherinformationen/
The ship
The MS Wissenschaft is a 100-metre-long inland cargo ship that used to travel on European waterways with coal and containers. Since 2002, the exhibition ship has been touring Germany every summer as a floating science center as part of the Science Years. The ship is powered by GtL fuel, which is more environmentally friendly than marine diesel. A photovoltaic system on deck supplies the entire exhibition with electricity.
The 2026 tour
From Berlin, the ship will travel via Brandenburg to Poland for the first time, where it will dock in Szczecin (Stettin). After stops on the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Baltic Coast and in the seaside resort of Ueckermünde, the exhibition ship will travel back via Brandenburg to Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. This year's tour of Germany ends in Bavaria in mid-September. The ship will then travel on to Austria. This year, it will visit a total of 36 small and large towns and cities.
Clients and partners
The MS Wissenschafttour exhibition ship has been touring Germany every year since 2002. Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD) realizes the exhibition with the support of the science organizations behind WiD and on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. The exhibits come directly from research and are developed and provided by institutes of the Fraunhofer Society, Helmholtz Association, Leibniz Association, Max Planck Society and DFG-funded projects, universities and other partners. The Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research and the Department of Science and Research of the Province of Lower Austria are enabling the stay in Austria in 2026.
