Programme
Photos

The first day of the course was devoted to gene expression analysis. As an example of small-scale gene expression analysis, the teachers observed several fish embryos which had been treated by in situ hybridisation. The blue-violet stained areas indicated the regions where certain specific genes were being expressed at particular stages of development.

EMBL student Anastasios Koutsos instructed an exciting activity that he had devised entitled "The Virtual DNA microarray". Thanks to his metaphors, mat and torches, the teachers understood what DNA microarrays [or DNA chips] are, and discovered the applications of this powerful large-scale gene expression analysis technology.

EMBL scientist Matthias Hentze explained how his group had used special DNA microarrays to get insight into the mechanisms that regulate iron metabolism.

The day ended with a visit to the EMBL Genomic Core Facility, where real DNA microarrays are produced using sophisticated robots.

The second day focused on protein molecular structure and function. Under the supervision of EMBL scientists Thomas Wendt and Rachel Santarella, the teachers observed catalase crystals under the electron microscope.

EMBL Group leader Isabelle Vernos and her team took the teachers to their lab where they observed microtubule behaviour during mitosis using Xenopus egg extracts. This is a cell-free system which enables scientists to interfere with the different components of the cell division machinery and directly assess their functions.

On the last day, the teachers had the opportunity to learn about educational resources that can be used in the classroom.

They also attended a lecture by EMBL Group Leader Detlev Arendt where they learned that worms can tell us interesting things about our origins.

The programme included a session on "Genetic testing: challenges for individual family and society", with contributions from Halldór Stefánsson [EMBL Science and Society] and Dr. Sabine Hentze.

Inspired by the LearningLAB experience the teachers went home with plenty of ideas and materials to use in their classrooms. The EMBL scientists also appreciated the interaction with a very international [French, German, Greek, American] and motivated group of teachers.

Layout by: Stefanie Wollenberg