MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Schools’ Day 2009
The theme of the 2009 meeting was 'Learning to understand disease-causing organisms'. Scientists studying microbial infection need a profound knowledge of the biology of the organism to devise new therapies.
Talks
The afternoons began with presentations by scientists from the Institute who gave short talks about their work.
- Introduction (Dr Michael Sargent)
- Influenza: waiting for a pandemic: what can we do? (Dr Partick Collins)
- Tuberculosis: the cunning intracellular microbe that remains a serious menace (Dr Kathryn Lougheed)
- Malaria: a tropical protozoan parasite (Plasmodium) that causes a severe blood disorder and a terrible helath burden (Dr Nikolai Belyaev)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): a highly successful microbe that can spread a deadly disease during a long latent period (Dr Kate Bishop)
A break for refreshments provides students with an opportunity to see aspects of the development of various animals including the chick embryo. There was also a challenging quiz, based on material on show (with prizes).
Discussion
The day ended with a discussion panel comprised of scientists and graduate students from the Institute. Visitors were actively encouraged to interrogate the speakers about their science. The speakers are all at any early stage of their careers and were happy to describe their educational and professional experiences.
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