Summer Research Projects for MBBS

StudentsAdam Kara, BSc (Hons)

Phase 3King’s College London School of Medicineat Guy’s, King’s & St. Thomas’ Hospitals

Department of Craniofacial Development & Stem Cell BiologyMiletich (Sharpe) Group

• Large and highly active lab• Investigation of a range of topics, all concerned

with craniofacial development (sensory organs, palate, dental, salivary glands, bone, muscle, bioengineering etc.)

• iBSc programmes, and new MSc programme• Weekly lab meetings and seminars• (Spectacular views of St. Paul’s from my bench!)

Why did I apply for a studentship?• Continuation of iBSc project• Funded (8 week) project• Study of a specific topic/question in depth—become an expert• Opportunity to contribute and learn something truly new• Develop portfolio and area of interest

What did I do?

• RNA in situ hybridization• Immunohistochemistry• Tissue slice culture (teeth can be grown in slices!)• Dissection (adult/embryo mice)• Microscopy• Gel electrophoresis• Plasmid isolation (from E. coli)

Tooth bud

Summer research: get started

• Use the KCL webpages to find a supervisor• Identify an area of interest: do an SSC, read around the subject• Continuation of intercalated BSc work/SSC? • Things to consider: time and project planning, play to your strengths,

computer skills, maths, be sure to have some fun

Acknowledgements

• Dr. Isabelle Miletich, Prof. Paul Sharpe• Dept. of Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology • Alison Liu and CARS committee