T Y BIOCHEMISTRY – IMMUNOLOGY PROGRAMME , TRINITY COLLEGE , DUBLIN.
A St. Leo’s Transtion Year student, Stephanie Coakley attended a TY one week
Biochemistry-Immunology Programme in Trinity College
from Mon 15 th to Fri 19 th Feb 2010.
In her description below we hear her own version of experiences she had during those five days.
I had the wonderful experience attending a Biochemistry and Immunology course in Trinity College from the 15th to the 19th of February. During this week Trinity College welcomed four Ttransition Year students to “push back the frontiers of science” for a week. The course was organised by Professor Cliona O’Farrelly and Professor Andrew Lloyd. This course introduces you to the world of scientific research in Trinity College. The best way to learn things is through experience and by asking questions. This was what this course was all about; experiencing real science first hand and asking lots of questions.
We were each assigned to a host lab. I was in an Immunology based research lab where all the work being done went towards developing new vaccines or cures. During the week I worked with proteins, macrophages and various cells. Ed Lavelle was the head of the research team in my host lab. My supervisor was Jim, a research scientist in the lab. Jim showed me around the lab, answered my many questions and did some of the typical experiments of that lab with me. He showed me how to do a Western Blot: a technique for separating out proteins and identifying specific proteins. He also showed me the process of preparing slides for work on the microscope.
Stephanie using the microscope to observe cells.
The microscope we used had many ‘special features’ such as laser beams to illuminate proteins which had a dye added to them, it is able to create the conditions needed for cells to survive so you can see the cells activities. It can work as a normal microscope would or it can give a more defined image by showing a slice of the cell. It can also take pictures of the cells you are viewing.
- Images of human cells seen using the microscope.
I also got to work with some undergraduate students who were working on their projects. They explained to me what their project was and what they were doing. I got to help them with the various experiments they carried out while I was in the lab (for example cells being split and an Elisa).
We were also called to Tim Mantle’s lab (pH lab) where we got the chance to try out a typical experiment of that particular lab.
We also had a tour around the Biochemistry and Immunology building ( although we still didn’t know exactly where we were going even after the tour as the building is massive). We had a health and safety talk and we did a science trail and ‘treasure hunt’. This was a self-directed tour of the entire college. We were given a map, audio pod cast (this tells you the history of Trinity College as you make your way around) and a list of questions to which we found the answers on our tour around the college. We also got to see the Doughas Hyde Art Gallery and received a very interesting tour around the Zoology Museum and the Science Gallery. Jim also brought me to see the book of Kells and the famous Long Hall.
We got to experience what college life is like and what the courses are like by talking to the students in the labs or around the building. Everyone is really nice and welcoming, you feel at home in no time.
I did this course because I love science. I was interested in these particular areas and was considering pursuing them as a career in the future. After the week I spent in Trinity doing this course I would love to go on to study Immunology in college. It was a fantastic experience and I loved every moment of it. It gives you a real insight into the world of science, of research and of the courses available. It is an invaluable experience which I would highly recommend to students interested in science and who want to “push back the frontiers of science”!
WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT FROM NEXT YEAR ONWARDS PROF. O’FARRELLY HAS OFFERED PLACES TO TWO FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS FROM ST. LEO’S ON THIS PROGRAMME.
Add comment February 25th, 2010