This summer, I was lucky
enough to spend 6 weeks at the Robert Koch institute under the supervision of
Dr Bernhard Ehlers. This research project was arranged by Dr Michael Jarvis of
Plymouth University, and funded by the Seale-Hayne Trust. The Seale-Hayne Trust
aims to support higher education and research in the field of agriculture, food
and rural land use and related disciplines. Mycobacterium bovis (Mb) is
considered the primary cause of tuberculosis in cattle, causing significant
pathology, and a resulting economic burden on the agriculture industry. In
keeping with the aim of the trust, our research project involved investigating
types of a Mustelid herpesvirus found in different species of naturally
infected badgers, with a projected aim to develop a recombinant disseminating
vaccine to target Mb transmission to cattle.
The project was extremely
enjoyable, and presented an unrivalled opportunity to learn and develop several
practical techniques that otherwise I would not have had the opportunity for,
such as PCR (I was even able to assist in some organ harvesting with another
member of the research group!). Dr Ehlers’ team is fantastic, and from day 1 I
was made to feel very welcome, and received tuition for each of the techniques
so that I felt confident carrying them out alone. The facilities are
second-to-none, and Berlin of course is also a great city to explore. I would
definitely recommend this to anybody who is interested in research; I am now
studying medicine, and in the future I hope to further my research interests, for
which this experience has been invaluable!
Kati O’Brien
Biomedical Science graduate
Below: Kati, second from left, with colleagues from the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin
