One Cell To Rule Them All

Charlotte Merry, U6th Student On Friday 13 September, a group of Lower Sixth students attended a second lecture at the University of Warwick entitled ‘One Cell to rule them all’ about chromosomes and cells.

It was an excellent opportunity for the students to gain further knowledge about chromosomes and the process of cell division, both of which will be Lower Sixth student, Charlotte Bull said, ‘The lecturer was extremely passionate about his research and was excited to show us footage from his electron microscope, that is yet to be published. We were all extremely shocked by the staggering number of cells (50 trillion) that we have in our body, and the fact that one billion cells are born and die every day! covered in A-level Biology.

’He also told us about a way to clearly see parts of the cell which was extremely interesting. They use fluorescent proteins, originating from a jellyfish that radiate bright colours when blue light is shone at the cell. This made the chromosomes much more visible and helped us see the process of cell division and where it can go wrong,

resulting in genetic complications.’

Lower Sixth student, Nithisa said ‘It was a great experience for us all and we really appreciate the opportunity to widen our knowledge’.

The two lectures we attended were thoroughly interesting and the students learnt many new things which stretched and challenged them beyond the A level syllabus.’