About

An exhibition exploring the world of biological data

Welcome to Datarium, an exhibition that invites you to discover how data relating to living organisms is transforming our understanding of the world and informing individual and collective decisions.

Its name combines ‘Data’ with the Latin suffix ‘-arium’, which denotes a place or space dedicated to housing, preserving or exploring something. Designed as a space for exploration open to the public, Datarium offers an immersive journey into the world of biological data: its diversity, the expertise that gives it meaning, and its tangible impact on our society.

Through five main themes (Personalised Healthcare, Precision Oncology, Combating Epidemics, Environmental Protection and Artificial Intelligence), the exhibition shows how bioinformatics transforms complex data into useful knowledge for the common good.

Created in Geneva to coincide with the 2026 European Conference on Computational Biology (ECCB), Datarium forms part of the #GenevaLovesData initiative, which highlights the role of data and of those who produce, analyse and make it accessible.

Datarium at the crossroads of science and society

During the summer of 2026, Datarium engaged with the public in the heart of Geneva.

• 🌳 From the Parc des Bastions to the shores of Lake Geneva
  Presented outdoors at the Parc des Bastions and then at the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, the exhibition invited passers-by to take a behind-the-scenes look at biological data, through scientific images, research projects and the testimonies of those who use them.

• 🎓 Over 160 pupils explore bioinformatics
  Secondary school classes from Geneva took part in guided tours to link biology, computing, mathematics and data science to real-world applications.

• 💬 A dialogue between science and society
  On 31 August, the exhibition moved to the CICG for the #GenevaLovesData Public Forum, which brought together over 100 participants for talks, a round-table discussion and interactive workshops focusing on the scientific and societal challenges of biological data.

• 🌍 From local audiences to the international scientific community
  Datarium then supported ECCB 2026, Europe’s leading conference on computational biology, held for the first time in Geneva and bringing together over 1,500 specialists in the field.

A long-term commitment to fostering dialogue between science and society

For over twenty years, the SIB has been fostering a sustainable dialogue between science and society with the aim of making bioinformatics and biological data more accessible. Through workshops, events, interactive tools and digital resources, it helps to foster a better understanding of how data, technologies and scientific methods are driving progress today in health, the environment and our understanding of living organisms.

Every year, around a hundred workshops engage more than 1,500 participants across Switzerland through schools, public events and science festivals. This approach is underpinned by tools and resources designed to extend discovery and foster discussion beyond the events themselves.

Datarium is part of this ongoing effort: to bring to light data on living organisms, the people who bring it to life, and its impact on our daily lives.

Discover all our activities for the general public and our wide range of educational resources.