Research reality meets Millennium Youth Campers
On Tuesday, Millennium Youth Campers explored research in industrial and academic environments and got their hands on some real life experiments.
The itinerary of the day was filled with exciting visits to companies and institutes where current research is done and new technologies are developed.
Team Biosciences and biotechnology hopped off the bus at the medical campus of the University of Helsinki to spend the day at the Institute of Biomedicine with coach Dr. Kirmo Wartiovaara.
Other groups headed to destinations like Nokia, Valio, Fortum and Kemira among others.
In addition to his role as a researcher, Wartiovaara works in the clinic and meets patients with genetic problems. “My work involves giving genetic counseling and advice to families with a high risk of inherited diseases”, he said as the group gathered round to discuss the ethics of engineering in human genetics.
Assignments at the laboratory of molecular genetics. Photo: Maija Pollari.
In the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, the bioteam met experts analyzing DNA sequences from cancer patients. The team was assigned a genetic laboratory patient case with sequence data and they had to put their heads together to solve the puzzle.
Bioteam members collaborating to solve a genetic patient case. Photo: Maija Pollari.
Project work progressed well, and plans took flight in volume and complexity. “When constructing a genetically modified organism, keep it simple”, was the essence of coach Wartiovaara’s advice.
“The best part of today was being in an actual lab. We went to the lab and saw the culture of fluorescent stem cells in the microscope. The stem cells looked like the matrix from the movie The Matrix, it was so cool”, Shinjini Saha described the highlights of her day.
The main organisers of Millennium Youth Camp are Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA and Technology Academy Finland.
Who are the MY Campers? Read the group introductions from MY Camp profiles. Read also the Camp news, look at photos in Flickr, and watch videos in Vimeo.
Maija Pollari is a science journalist whose background is in molecular biology research. She enjoys flamenco dancing, reading, and roleplaying adventures.