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6th form visit to the Cancer Research Centre at the Western General Hospital.
On Wednesday 14th November Mr King and Mr Armstrong took LVI & UVI boys with a interest in Medical Research to the Edinburgh University Cancer Research Centre for an evening learning about Cancer Research, in conjunction with St Margaret’s School. We had a brief presentation on Cancer research and then went on a tour of the various areas of work. We were shown genetic electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to find genes that cause cancer; Microscopy of sections of breast cancer, and finally recreation of human skin cancer using zebra fish as a model, to investigate the proteins. The boys found it very interesting to see how each piece of the research jigsaw will hopefully piece together to find the magic cure for cancer. We have some way to go still and maybe some of our boys will play their part in the future.
Lower 6th DNA Workshop at Merchiston on Friday 23rd November
All 28 LVI Biologists spent the day looking at some modern genetics techniques for the manipulation of DNA with Mr King and Mr George. Firstly we had a lecture on the structure of DNA then we rehydrated some viral DNA and cut it up into different size fragments using special restriction enzymes. Then each group made an electrophoresis gel out of agarose and carefully manipulated tiny amounts of DNA using micropipettes. We then put the DNA into the gel and ran electricity through it to separate the fragments on viral DNA. This bit took a few hours so we went into another lab where the boys extracted some of their very own DNA (from cheek cells) and isolated it so it could be seen with the naked eye. They were then able to put their DNA into a glass pendent to wear on a necklace! After lunch we looked at our electrophoresis gels and stained them to see the separated fragments of DNA. The day was a great success and it gave the boys the chance to have a go at some real genetics techniques.
Upper 6th Field work trip to Cove and Yellow Craigs
On Wednesday 10th October Mr King and Mr Hart took the UVI Biologists to the coast for a day of ecological fieldwork. We started at Cove bay near Torness looking at zonation of seaweed species on the beautiful rocky shore there. Then we came back to Yellow Craigs beach near North Berwick and looked at succession of plant species on the sand dune system. This will form the basis of the A2 coursework.
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