Undergraduate wins prize

The British Society of Immunology (BSI) award prizes to students for achievement in immunology. Our Jane Brooks has just received a BSI undergraduate prize in recognition of her academic excellence in immunology over the duration of her Biomedical Science programme, which culminated in an excellent dissertation project and achieving a 1st class honours degree.

Jane is shown below receiving her BSI prize from Dr Andrew Foey, Associate Professor in Immunology, at graduation on the Hoe this week (in the final throws of storm Ali!). Andy writes “Jane is an outstanding student who immediately impressed in her immunology performances from year 1 right through to her final year. She reliably informs me that she wishes to pursue her interests in immunology through her career as she is currently starting medicine at the Peninsula medical school.”

We are extremely grateful to the BSI for the opportunity to award the 2018 Undergraduate prize in recognition of academic excellence in immunology.

Hosting local schools' work experience

The School of Biomedical Sciences recently hosted 15 participants for our work experience programme from 2nd to 4th July 2018. Participants were students from schools and colleges from across Devon and Cornwall. They participated in a wide range of activities including microscopy, clinical and human physiology, nutrition, a tour of the new Derriford Research Facility, engaging in group presentations related to biomedicine and last but not least, baking cookies (leftovers are seen in the left hand corner of the picture; our lecturer Feisal Subhan is the one with the beard at the back).

Detecting antibiotic resistance in 5 minutes

Tina Joshi and her group are working to develop a handheld device that can allow detection of antibiotic resistance genes during a GP’s appointment, i.e. within 5 minutes. This will allow appropriate antibiotics to be prescribed. Her work will be highlighted in a BBC documentary in the Autumn and has just been covered in the Biomedical Scientist.

M.Sc. student publishes paper

Robert Davies, one of our students on the Biomedical Science M.Sc course, has just published a mini-review in Clinical Kidney Journal.

Robert writes ""I first became interested in metabolomics whilst taking the Clinical Biochemistry module as part of the MSc Biomedical Science. I chose to focus my assessment work on the use of metabolomics in chronic kidney disease because I have had clinical experience of working with patients with kidney failure. Through reading the literature it became apparent that studies using metabolomics would often not take into account the role of diet and the microbiome despite their influences on metabolites. I decided I would try to get my work published because I felt it addressed a need in this area and I contacted the Clinical Kidney Journal where it was peer-reviewed. The reviewers were very encouraging saying it would be useful for nephrologists providing a clear take-home message but suggested expanding the sections on the techniques used in metabolomics and to include a summary table of the articles used in the mini-review. Hopefully, this mini-review will be of use to nephrologists and researchers using metabolomics technologies to identify potential biomarkers of chronic kidney disease and to consider the impact of diet, nutritional status, and the microbiome on their findings."

Antibiotic resistance roadshow

 Earlier this year, members of Mat Upton's research lab were involved in running a public engagement event showcasing some of the work being carried out on antibiotic discovery. As part of it, we also ran a ‘swab-n-send’ type session, asking the public to swab an environment they found interesting, come back and smear it onto the agar plate ready to be grown in the lab.

We were also recently able to take this event on the road (well to the Barbican, anyway) for the Pirate Weekend, alongside members of Kerry Howell's research group and with some help from the Marine Biological Association. There was lots of interest from both kids and adults alike, was great fun and we were able to chat to members of the public and get the message of antibiotic resistance out there to the masses. We also took pictures of all the plates that were swabbed and posted them to our on-going Facebook page, allowing people to check back and see what grew on their plates, as well as keep up to date with interesting developments in the lab and future events.

As an added bonus we’ve been able to identify a potentially promising antibacterial candidate from one of these plates, and are currently working to characterise it in the lab. So if you’ve ever wondered what kind of horrible (lovely) things might be hiding out there, check out the Facebook and come along to the next event.

Students teach healthcare to children

On Wednesday two Biomedical Science students (Seanain Henry and Clishlyn Portunova) gave up their time to work at the John Bull Building teaching healthcare related activities to 60 local primary school children. The visit was part of our partnership with the Millfields Inspired charity’s Widening Horizons project, aimed at inspiring year 5 students from the Stonehouse area of Plymouth to consider different career pathways. The children took part in a carousel of healthcare related activities facilitated by Medical, Dental and SoBS students and the grip/leg strength competition hosted by Seanain and Clishlyn was a particular favourite amongst the two classes! We are looking forward to similar  events in the final Millfields Inspired session and at our Children’s University Workshops on the 6th June.

Seanain and Clishlyn are both part of Widening Access to Biomedical Science (WABS), which is a student-led group who facilitate a range of activities and attend local school and college careers events in order to raise aspirations, inspire students and make Biomedical and Healthcare courses more accessible to everyone. If you would like to join WABS, or learn more about the School of Biomedical Science’s Widening Participation activities, please contact us at the following address.
psmd-outreach@plymouth.ac.uk

Lecturer wins teaching award

One of our lecturers, Cherith Wood, has just won Health Education England's "Inspiring Educator Award" for the South West region. Cherith teaches Clinical Cardiology, both in the university and hospital environment, to Student Cardiac Physiologists enrolled on the B.Sc. Hons Healthcare Science course. She travels across the region to liaise with Trusts and to ensure that the student experience is enjoyable as well as high-quality (the B.Sc. Hons Healthcare/ Cardiac Physiology course currently enjoys 100% employment post graduation). Below is her receiving her award at the ceremony in Taunton this week.