Research Instrumentation and Cell Services
Programme overview
We are excited to offer an opportunity for Year 12 students to gain hands-on experience within our Research Instrumentation and Cell Services Core Facility (RICS). This work experience placement aims to provide insight into the specialised cell services and laboratory instrumentation that support cutting-edge biomedical research, giving students a real feel for what it’s like to work in this essential field.
What you will do
During the placement, students will have the chance to:
- Learn and assist in cell culture techniques, including passaging a HeLa cell line and observing cells under a microscope.
- Observe demonstrations of the effects of liquid nitrogen through engaging experiments, such as freezing flowers and the balloon experiment.
- Engage with professionals to understand how the Core Facility supports researchers through specialized cell services and laboratory workflows.
- Gain insight into cryostorage processes and how samples are preserved for research purposes.
About the Research Instrumentation and Cell Services Core Facility (RICS):
The RICS Core Facility provides access to a wide range of high-end laboratory instrumentation and specialized cell services. The Cell Services side of the facility includes support for tissue culture training, quarantine tissue culture rooms, and cryostorage facilities. The department works collaboratively with researchers to provide cell culture advice, technical expertise, and training, ensuring that high-quality workflows are maintained for cutting-edge experiments.
This placement will give students the opportunity to explore fundamental cell biology techniques and witness the importance of specialised services in supporting research across the Cambridge Institute and beyond.
What to expect
This placement is designed to be an immersive and interactive experience, tailored for secondary school students with an interest in science, biology, or laboratory research. Students will be encouraged to observe professional workflows, ask questions, and actively engage with mentors who are experts in cell services and laboratory instrumentation. By the end of the programme, students will have gained a clearer understanding of how core facilities like RICS support and enhance cutting-edge biomedical research.
We look forward to inspiring the next generation of scientists!
Risk assessments
| List of task | High risk | Medium risk | Low risk | Control measures |
| Passaging HeLa cell line and looking at cells under a microscope | Low risk | Cell lines will be processed within a micobiological safety cabinet. Chemicals, equipment and pasteur pipettes will only be handled once students have been trained by a resonsible person (Mj Brown) and will be observed at all times. Personal protective equipment will be worn at all times (lab coat, nitrile gloves, goggles). All equipment to be used has been PAT tested. | ||
| Balloon experiment to demonstrate the effects of Liquid Nitrogen (observing only) | Low risk | Personal protective equipment will be worn at all times (lab coat, goggles). Liquid nitrogen will only be handled by a responsible person (Mj Brown). | ||
| Freezing flowers in Liquid Nitrogen | Low risk | Personal protective equipment will be worn at all times (lab coat, goggles, thermal gloves). Liquid nitrogen will only be handled by a responsible person (Mj Brown). |