On Tuesday, Year 13 Biology and BTEC Science students attended laboratory workshops at Newcastle University. One session featured a mock scenario of a major chemical ‘terror attack’ which had affected eight individuals. The objective was to find which person had been exposed to the neurotoxin and provide them with an antidote. It was a very hands-on experience which gave students a taste of the daily activities of a biomedical scientist. It was a great opportunity to use more sophisticated laboratory equipment such as micropipettes and 96-well plate readers.

Another workshop explored antibodies. First students gained some practical skills by learning how to prepare a microscope slide, then they identified different types of antibodies from a sheep. Students found it interesting to see lymphocytes and also to use advanced scientific equipment such as a centrifuge.