Visit to Kent University

Club Visit to Kent University

Following a talk given to the Club by microbiologist Professor Mark Smales, nine of our members responded to his invitation to visit his laboratory in the University of Kent at Canterbury.  Mark is Director of the Industrial Biotechnology Centre at the University and a member of the Industrial Technology and Synthetic Biology Research Group.  The visit took place on 22^nd July and we were privileged to be given access to the various laboratories that comprise the department. 

We were able to visit individual laboratories and hear, from the scientists in charge, all about their work.  We were allowed to look into some very complex microscopes and to watch the way scientists can now analyse animal cells and watch their reactions to various treatments.  Much of the work was concerned with pure research that might lead to treatments for diseases including cancer. 

One of the laboratories we visited was concerned with growing cultures.  We entered through an air lock because it is kept a lower air pressure than the outside world, to prevent the escape of airborne pathogens. We were asked to don lab coats and eye protectors.  Some of the machines, we were told, cost a million pounds each. 

It was a massive privilege to be given access to such a specialised operation. We were grateful to the highly qualified scientists who gave their time to explain their work to us.  We all left feeling a little more informed about the world class work being performed in British universities.