Meet the scientists!

I am a scientist at the University of Manchester and I work several different projects. I am trying new and exciting ways to create Human Embryonic Stem Cells from human eggs (oocytes) that could possibly be used to help treat diseases like Parkinson’s and diabetes, as well as helping patients with spinal cord injuries (like Superman). As well as this, I look inside very early embryos to see different genes that control their growth and development and I am also investigating a new protein which could be used as a treatment for breast cancer. I like the idea that the work I do in the lab could help people suffering from various illnesses in the future. My job is really good fun and I can’t imagine doing anything else!

Well, in my job, no two days are the same. That is one of the things I like most about my work, the variety of it all. I normally start my day by writing a “to-do” list and plan all the experiments I need to do that day. A lot of my time is spent in a room we call “Tissue Culture” which is where we grow cells and embryos in incubators. The cells and embryos are rather fussy and demanding so we need to keep them at certain temperatures, with a particular amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide. They also have to be kept super clean and free of any infections which is why we keep them in a special room! I also help to train new staff and students that come into the lab and I really enjoy this part of my job. The labs that I work in are really friendly fun places and there is always lots of chatting and laughter in the labs. We have meetings every week where we all get together and talk about the results we have. I like these meetings as we take it in turns to bring in cakes and biscuits to have in the meetings! As well as carrying out my experiments, I have to record what I have done, and whether or not it has worked. I normally do this at the end of the day before I go home!

I have developed an interactive stem cell workshop so people can experience working with real stem cells as well as learning how important they are in science. At the moment, I have to rely on Schools coming to the University at certain times of the year, and this limits the numbers of people that can take part. The money would allow lots more people to have a go, and hopefully become more enthusiasic about stem cell biology!