The Signalling & Cell Fate ISP - Public Engagement

Scientists and PhD students within this ISP regularly take part in the Institute’s Public Engagement activities for our local community and schools, giving talks and hosting students in the labs. The ‘Signallers’ have also been active at the Cambridge Science Festival and in 2010 the work of the Calcium Signalling laboratory was selected for the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition.

Several of the laboratories have hosted 6th form students over the summer, either through the Nuffield Foundation bursary scheme or Babraham’s Bioscience Boot Camp. Boot Camp gives 6th formers an insight into bioscience research through short research placements, science talks and careers discussions, enabling interaction with inspiring role models in science-based professions to help students make informed decisions about their careers. In 2010, Martin Bootman, Michael Coleman and Keith Kendrick provided Boot Camp projects and also gave presentations to the London International Youth Science Forum (2009 & 2010). Boot Camp 2011 students were treated to talks by Michael Coleman, Simon Cook and Keith Kendrick about the frontiers of neuroscience and signalling pathways in cancer. Simon Walker showed students what goes on in the imaging facility and Keith also supervised 9 students.

Four years downstream, the Boot Camp students of 2007 are completing their degrees. Joanna Durkin who worked in the Bootman Laboratory said, “Boot Camp really helped cement my desire to go into practical science and I am currently in my final year of my Biomedical Science degree at the University of Sheffield, which I love. Last summer I undertook a Wellcome Trust funded research project studying prostate cancer at Sheffield’s Medical School which was really exciting.

Having already seen the research environment at Babraham, it was a lot less daunting when I started! My ultimate plan is to do a PhD in the area of cancer cell biology. The experience provided at Boot Camp was incredibly helpful in pushing me towards where I am today.”

At the Bioscience of Ageing Conference for 6th formers in 2008, several group leaders from the Signalling & Cell Fate ISP gave presentations: Calcium signalling and the ageing heart (Llew Roderick); How do genes cause cancer? (Simon Cook); Axons and healthy ageing (Michael Coleman). The conferences, launched in 2007 aim to enrich A’ level biology, broaden awareness of socio-ethical issues in contemporary science and contribute to teachers’ Continuing Professional Development.

Emeritus Professor, Sir Michael Berridge, has also contributed to the 6th form outreach programme in recent years with a highly inspiring lecture that gives students insights into his ‘life and times’ in science and his passion for research.

Key publications from the Signalling & Cell Fate ISP

Translating the ISP's Research into Action (KEC)

Public Engagement

Skills training