Hannon Group
Programme overview
We are excited to offer an opportunity for Year 12 students to gain hands-on experience with the Hannon Group, a research team dedicated to understanding the regulation of transposon biology. Transposons are also called jumping genes which can randomly insert into important regions of the host genome and cause defects in the offsprings. Our work involves studying the interesting piRNA defense mechanism against transposons to enable the survival of species.
By using a variety of techniques, we aim to understand the intricate nature of this pathway. This placement will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers uncover mechanisms and tackle important scientific questions.
What you will do
During the placement, students will have the chance to:
- Observe cell culture experiments where we grow and study insect cells that overexpress piRNA proteins.
- Explore how researchers use genetic tools to understand piRNA regulation.
- Learn about microscopy techniques to observe and analyze cell populations expressing piRNA factors.
- Observe experiments with fly strains and understand how fly genetics can be used as a useful tool for biological research.
- Watch biochemical assays being performed to understand the behaviour of proteins in the pathway.
- Participate in basic data analysis to understand how scientists interpret experimental results and draw meaningful conclusions.
About the lab
The Hannon Group is dedicated to understanding the biology of piRNA regulation, from production of piRNAs to transposon silencing. Our research focuses on:
- piRNA clusters: Investigating how sections on the genome become a hotspot for generation of piRNAs.
- piRNA biogenesis: Understanding longer piRNAs are cut to produce functional piRNAs.
- Silencing: Discerning the mechanism of transposon silencing by the functional piRNAs.
Through numerous scientific tools and fly genetics, we aim to better understand the piRNA defense pathway that plays a crucial role in dictating the survival of species.
What to expect
This placement will provide an immersive and interactive experience in scientific research. You’ll observe real experiments, explore exciting research techniques, and see how scientists address scientific problems.
Hypothetical Activities Include:
- Cell culture: Observing how insect cells are grown, maintained, and used for experiments.
- Microscopy: Watching how cells are imaged and analyzed to understand their morphology and cellular components.
- Biochemical techniques: Learning how biochemical tools can be instrumental in understanding nature of proteins and nucleic acids.
- Fly experiments: Observing how fly strains are maintained, crossed and handled for experiments.
- Data analysis: Participating in basic analysis to understand experimental outcomes.
- Group discussions: Engaging with scientists to learn how research findings can impact scientific conclusions.
What you will gain
By the end of the placement, you will:
- Develop a surface level understanding of how scientists study biological pathways.
- Learn about powerful state of the art tools in science.
- Gain insight into lab techniques, from cell culture to genetic analysis and microscopy.
- Explore the critical role of small RNAs in biology.
- Build skills in scientific observation, critical thinking, and data analysis while exploring careers in science and medicine.
If you are curious about genetics, developmental biology, and how scientists use tools to answer fundamental pathways in biology, this placement will inspire and motivate you to explore the exciting world of biomedical research!
Risk assessment
| List of task | High risk | Medium risk | Low risk | Control measures |
| Observing moledular cloning (PCR, gel analysis, DNA isolation & QC) | x | |||
| Observing cell culture | x | |||
| Observing protein analysis | x | |||
| Observing and performing basic data analysis and computational methods | x | |||
| Learning to separate flies based on sex or visual markers | x |