Blog of Work Experience Students
Below are some descriptions of the experience of students we have hosted in our lab. If you would like to come for work experience in the lab, please e-mail me.
Anna Klucnika. Oxford High School July 2011
Monday
On my first day, I got briefed on health and safety and shown around the labs. Dianne explained her work researching the genetics behind SLI, which was really interesting as I could put my GCSE biology into action and was able to understand it. I got to extract RNA from cells and m
easured how much RNA there was by seeing how much light passed through it using a machine. We also collected our saliva samples from which we extracted the DNA. I got to see and use different equipment, like a centrifuge and vortex and learn ho
w to use a precise pipette. It was amazing to actually see a little clump of DNA after we removed it from the cells. I also went to a seminar with Dianne. Although I didn't understand most of it, it was nice to hear terms used in my biology lessons and see another side of what the work includes. I was also given a lab book in which I had to write up what we did in the labs, which everyone does so that if anyone wants to continue your work or if it's needed for patenting.
Tuesday
Using the DNA we extracted the day before, we amplified a short section of DNA using a Polymerase Chain Reaction and then check the length using gel. I got to be really hands-on with everything and Dianne explained exactly what was happening in the PCR. It was really interesting and I got to learn so much more about DNA and genes. I also got to see how the confocal microscope and how they use it to study proteins, which was also fascinating and so much more than I had seen at school.
Wednesday
We looked up what genes the sections of DNA which we amplified were using a genome database and software. I got learn how to use the programme and, again, I learnt loads about genetics. I also got to sit in the team's meeting. Though I didn't understand most of it, it was so interesting to see how the different people worked together and passed on ideas. Even there I learnt so much. I also saw the machines used to sequence DNA and explained how they work, which was amazing.
Thursday
There was another seminar, and, once again, I didn't understand most of it but nevertheless the parts which I did understand were really interesting. We prepared the DNA samples for sequencing and I feel more and more at home in the lab. Completing the lab book is also really nice as it puts everything together and makes a record of what we did. Dianne was also looking at if there was a link between SLI and seasonality of births. It was fascinating to see the data and how it can be used, as well as being able to input my ideas. It was really interesting and made me think about biology in a real life situation.
Shu En Lee, Cardiff Sixth Form. June 2013
Wellcome Genome Research Institute- Work Experience Diary
During our work experience at the Institute, we purified samples of our own DNA, amplified them using PCR, and finally sent them off for Sanger sequencing. Upon receiving our base sequences for certain genes, we were taught to use online databases and programs such as Finch TV to view our own DNA (cool!) and analyze the sequences for base changes that vary from person to person.
On the first day, we used a spectrophotometer to measure the amount of DNA in each of our saliva samples. We then used this amount of DNA as a guide to the quantities of each solution we needed to measure out to perform PCR efficiently.
On the second day, Dianne explained to us the principles of PCR,
which are that a primer specifically designed to mark the ends of the target gene sequence is added to denatured DNA, which has been broken into single strands by heat.
The temperature is then adjusted for the optimum temperature to allow enzymes to replicate the targeted section of DNA using dnTPs (free nucleotides in solution.) Once we performed the reaction, we analyzed the DNA content to see that it had been amplified, using electrophoresis.
We familiarized ourselves with many lab equipments, such as micropipettes (used in abundance), centrifuges, gel electrophoresis apparatus, and last but not least, computers! I was most amazed at the electrophoresis results, which we printed 'photographs' of. More than anything else, I was also surprised at the thoroughness of research, and dedication and vibrance of the research community. We also got to meet other members of the Wellcome Genome Research Institute, such as Samantha Knight, Gill McVean, and Catherine Green, to name a few.
The final thing I learnt from this work experience was the resolution of Genetics in today's world, which can “see” each person's individual genome, offer them advice and provide personalized options, such as rejecting chemotherapy in cases where the radiation would be more likely to enhance the mutation and increase the severity of the skin cancer (from researcher Catherine Green.) Dianne's project was on children and here we learnt about the difficulties of obtaining enough data and the importance of research methods such as double checking an SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) on both strands of DNA, non-intrusive saliva DNA collection, studying parent's genomes and family interviews and so on. I also was amazed at how methodical and careful research was, from the collection and purification of DNA samples, to preparation and finally analysis. We also met researchers studying Translational Genetics and Applied Statistical Genetics, which study the potential of Genetics to be applied as future medical tests for patients to indicate risk, or in modelling future situations in cases such as black and polar bear conservation.
Overall, it was a highly enriching research opportunity. I learnt about how biology works and how much potential it has in medical advancement to lead improvements in treatment and understanding of disease. It made me more aware of what happens when our system 'goes wrong' and motivated me to take action about it. I also enjoyed the ethical discussions with the other work experience students and Dianne!
University of Sheffield. June 2013
Wellcome Trust Centre for Genetics - Work Experience
For a week, I had the opportunity to be shown round Dr Dianne Newbury’s lab along with a group of other students, and we were able to carry out our own experiment using some of the equipment. We were set the task for the week to sequence a few regions of our own DNA, just as Dianne’s group would when looking for mutations in patients DNA. She explained to us about how they are looking for genes that could cause specific language impairment (SLI) but it is more complicated than a mutation on a single gene.
On the Monday, we were shown round Dianne’s lab, and used the equipment to extract our own DNA, and carry out the several steps to prepare it to be quantified. It was interesting to actually see inside a working lab which I had never had the opportunity to see before.
On Tuesday we continued with our experiment, and performing several steps to ensure we had the correct concentration for the amplification of the DNA. There was equipment that we were able to use that I had learnt about but would never have had the opportunity to use in my studies. It was great to get hands on experience, and it made me understand the processes much more.
We had the opportunity to meet several researchers in different fields of research, some of which I hadn’t even considered existed! We met Dr Sam Knight, who explained to us the transfer of techniques from research to clinical settings, and Dr Cath Green who looked at research on a more cellular basis, working out pathways that may have gone wrong. It was fascinating to see how different parts of genetics links together, and insightful about the various aspects that can be involved.
On Wednesday we were able to meet more researchers, including Dr Julie Adam who showed us round the metabolic cancer lab, which was so eye opening. We saw some of the expensive machinery and even had the opportunity to look at the tissue cultures that were being studied. We also spoke to Dr Julian Knight, and he explained his area of research within immunology and the differences in thinking required in being both a research head and clinician, which I found very interesting.
We continued our lab work and added our primers with the intent to determine which genes they amplified after using the USCS database. It was really useful being shown how the database worked, and it was incredible to see how much work has been carried out to categorise and log the millions of mutations.
On Thursday we worked entirely in the lab, it showed me how much time is needed to do the many steps there were in sequencing sections of genes, as previously I had thought one machine would do most of the work. It showed me how precise and organised researchers have to be and how creative when designing primers in order to get the sequences that are needed. We looked up where our primers were found on genes, and Dianne showed us exactly what SNP’s were common and how they can be read using software such as Chromas.
On Friday were also able to see other areas of research as we met Prof Gil McVean, and he explained to us all about the 1000 genome project and what it has meant for future research. It was interesting to understand some of the statistics behind genetics and how important the analysis is when a genotype is carried out. Dr Gerton Lunter also expressed this, explaining what exactly bioinformatics was! It was an area of genetics that I had overlooked, and had a great interest to understand how it is progressing using new software to allow a greater knowledge of what a genotype can mean for an individual.
We finished our lab work, and sent our samples off to be sequenced, ready to be analysed. It was interesting to see how the whole process worked and exciting that we were able to use our own DNA fragments to be sequenced. The week was an extremely useful experience and had made me think about pursuing a career in research. I would like to thank Dianne and everyone that took time to speak to us and allowed us to ask them endless questions!
Newt
Pinfox