The Outreach team represented the work of the Division at Imperial College’s annual science festival held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May 2015. We organised two demonstration’s which received an enormous amount of interest from Festival attendees.
Here we showed how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry are used in our lab to analyse biofluid samples (such as urine) to detect small molecules. The change in composition of biofluid profile is what helps us to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of health and disease, and we use this information to support doctors in clinical decision making.
“Making Complexity Crystal Clear”
Here we highlighted the importance of protein crystals and their role in the facilitation of drug design. With the aid of the mRNA codon chart on display, the visitors were able to synthesise amino acids, the building blocks of proteins from sweeties. The second part of the demonstration enabled them to watch crystals grow under the microscope.
Despite a busy weekend, it was wonderful to be able to discuss and engage the public with our research. We hope this has provided a better understanding of the work conducted in the Division, and may inspire future scientists! Here are two in the making:
