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10 Years of Protein Challenge: Real world research for aspiring scientists

Key points:

• The Babraham Institute’s long running Public Engagement project has seen over 300 students aged 16-18 learn about proteins and simulate the process of science done in labs. The students then present their findings similar to an academic conference.
• Students taking part in the 10^th cohort are visiting the Institute today to present their work.
• Each year since 2014, members of the Signalling research programme lead the Protein Challenge project in partnership with the
• The Protein Challenge design ensures that students understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the research techniques used as well as widening their background knowledge.

The Protein Challenge was created by Dr Simon Rudge, formerly a Senior 51���� Associate at the Institute. Now, the Institute is excited to be in the 10th year of the engagement partnership, which is now lead by staff from the Ktistakis and McGough labs. In the project, students are taught essential lab skills as they produce and assay the activity of two forms of a protein (a normal and a mutated form) called PTEN.  Students go through the steps of replicating DNA to the amounts needed for analysis, inserting DNA into bacteria and protein identification and activity assays – providing essential training in techniques used by researchers as standard investigative methods.

Peter Rugg-Gunn, Head of Public Engagement and group leader at the Institute said: “The protein challenge is unique in our portfolio of events because students get to experience a deep connection not just with the science of the Institute through practical experience, but also what it means to be a scientist and the ways that we share our work with each other. I would like to thank my colleagues who throughout the ten years of this project have dedicated their time to bringing science to students in such a meaningful way.”

Cambridge Academy of Science and Technology  is a specialist university technical college, a government-funded school focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It provides students aged 14 to 19 with a pathway to university and onto careers in STEM The practical element of the Challenge is complemented by seminars delivered by Babraham Institute staff. It also gives students valuable insight into the vast number of career choices available in this field. 

This Institute has expanded the reach of the activity by to students in schools with historically lower levels of access to science engagement activities with Protein Challenge on Tour from 2022-2023. 

The Protein Challenge is divided into several phases all leading up to a presentation finale where students put their work before a panel of expert judges who will provide feedback on all their hard work, measuring it up against the style of presentations given by researchers at conferences.  

In phase one, students first learn about why researchers at the Institute are so interested in the PTEN gene, and its related protein. In healthy cells, the PTEN gene prevents uncontrolled cell growth which can lead to tumors and ultimately many forms of cancer. When the PTEN gene is mutated or lost, it has a big impact on the progression of prostate and breast cancers in particular. To be able to come up with effective treatments, researchers at the Institute are investigating the signalling pathways that PTEN interacts with.  

Then in phase two, pairs of students carry out a five week lab investigation. Students use techniques such as electrophoresis, transformation and polymerase chain reaction and are trained to use specialist equipment available at the college, such as micropipettes, polyacrylamide gels and polymerase chain reaction machines, often for the very first time. Operating the equipment independently and analysing the proteins produced, gives students a chance to learn skills which would typically only be developed at university. 

In preparation for the final research exhibition, students participate in ethics workshops.  Small groups discuss real-world issues in bioscience research such as the use of animal models and the potential future of gene-editing technology in medicine as well as sharing their opinions on different scenarios. The students visit the Institute to hear more about the signalling research programme from PhD students and postdocs and get an up-close look at how real research labs and facilities operate. 

The finale. After weeks of lab work and interpreting their results, all students exhibit their research posters, which are in the style of real academic posters you would find at a conference, for a panel of judges made up of a range of research staff from the Institute. 

Alastair Easterfield at CAST, said: “Protein challenge is always one of the highlights of the year for the sixth form.  There are very few opportunities in school for students to explore beyond the surface of a topic and take things to the next level.  The students love being able to do proper science and the project really allows them to fully immerse themselves in science, following extended protocols and use professional equipment.  This gives them a great understanding of what working in the science sector is like.”

“The project really helps students in deciding whether they want to go into science, it helps them understand what a scientist does and how to become a scientist.  The students really value the opportunity to meet with practicing scientists and find out about their own jobs and career paths and this deeper understanding of science really comes through in university and apprenticeship applications.  It is not unusual for students to come back from university or apprenticeships and tell us how easy they have found the first year due to the experiences that they had gained in Challenge.”

Students from the 2023 cohort said:

“I got to experience and take part in practicals I had never done or seen before which was a very fun process.” 

“I enjoyed doing genetic modification which is a unique thing to be able to learn and do. Having a real world application to the project that is being worked on helps to keep it relevant to us too.” 

“The researchers and outreach staff were very informative and helpful they provided us with ways to improve and explained a very complicated topic in a way that we could understand and reproduce.” 

Notes

Press contact

Honor Pollard, Communications Officer, honor.pollard@babraham.ac.uk

Image description: Lab equipment used by students throughout the project, photos by Sasha Pratt-Taweh 

About the Babraham Institute

The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences 51���� Council (BBSRC), part of UK 51���� and Innovation, through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.

About BBSRC

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences 51���� Council (BBSRC) is part of UK 51���� and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.

BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by government, BBSRC invested £451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.