Year 9 and 10 Students Experience the Life of a Medical Scientist
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research is an amazing facility located on the QE II facility in Nedlands.
Over the seven floors of this cutting edge facility, scientists work on internationally collaborated projects in the quest to understand diseases such as cancer, diabetes and asthma.
Our Year 9 and 10 Hyperscience classes visited the Institute recently, where they were introduced to the life of a scientist. Working in a PC2 lab, the students became familiar with the protocol of working in a more sophisticated laboratory and used equipment not normally seen in a high school, PC1 laboratory.
The Year 9 class started the day learning about Henrietta Lacks, a woman who died from an aggressive form of cervical cancer in 1951, at the age of 31. Her cells are still used today for many experiments, due to the rapid growth of the cells. Students were able to isolate and stain HeLa (HEnrietta LAcks) cancer cells using equipment such as micropipettes and centrifuge. They were given a tour of the facilities and met scientists working in the building who explained their current studies.
The Year 10 group learned the process of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) as a tool to amplify DNA for laboratory use. After conducting a PCR in the laboratory using a thermal cycler, the students used Gel Electrophoresis to check their results. They later had their DNA samples sequenced to identify the Braf gene mutation of a Melanoma patient.
The Biodiscovery Lab is a result of Lotterywest funding. On behalf of Iona we are very appreciative of the opportunity to experience this amazing facility and experience the life of a Medical Scientist.