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(July only) 

Following an introduction to the urinary system and its role in the body, you will conduct a practical urine analysis using dipsticks. As a group, you will develop management strategies for ensuring healthy kidney function. 
Including:

• Summarising the urinary system.
• Studying the structure of kidney nephron and identifying the compounds absorbed/secreted in each area.
• Understanding the process of urine production, transfer and storage.
• Using urine dipstick testing to diagnose basic disorders 

How the heart and lungs keep us alive (August only) 

The heart is a powerful pump that starts beating before we’re even born and continues to do so, every second of our life without tiring. In this session we'll explore cardiovascular and respiratory physiology; what are their limitations, how you can evaluate this and you’ll compare it how film and television portray them 

Why Genes Matter  

The traditional one-size-fits-all treatment approach in medicine is ineffective for some patients due to unique genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Our genes are what makes us unique so by profiling our genetic make-up and unique characteristics, an effective patient centred approach can be taken. Personalised medicine is transforming the landscape of healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles. 

In this session, you will begin by unravelling the basics of genetics, providing a solid foundation for understanding how our genes influence health and disease. From there, you will journey into the cutting-edge realm of cancer research, discovering how scientists are developing new, tailored treatments that promise to revolutionise patient care. You will be encouraged to actively engage in discussions about the future of personalised medicine. We will explore various innovative approaches, weighing their potential benefits and drawbacks. 

(Practical)

Held at St Mary’s Hospital, an institution affiliated with the ImperiaCollege School of Medicine and led by an expert clinical lecturer.  You will engage in a series of hands-on practical sessions focused on mastering essential medical skills, which may include:

• Measuring blood pressure
• Venepuncture
• ±á²¹²Ô»å·É²¹²õ³ó¾±²Ô²µâ€¯
• Sim Lab
• Suturing
• Nasogastric Tube 

During the Life Sciences sessions, you will analyse genetically modified (GMO) Drosophila melanogaster fly strains with new artificial characteristics to identify and isolate the cloned genes responsible, using modern biological and biochemical methods. 

Day one:

• Welcome;
• Allocation of safety gear, into groups and benches;
• H&S training, micropipette (Gilson) handling
• Fly genetics theory & practical discussion;
• Experiment #1: identification of gene providing lacZ activity;
• Experiment #2: identification of location of lacZ expression in modified fly larvae – demonstration;
• Optional life sciences guest lecture;
• Experiment #3: visualisation of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) plasmid containing strain;
• Experiment #4: thermo-sensitivity assay;
• Making sense of results. 

Day two:

• Experiment #5: genomic DNA preparation;
• Experiment #6: PCR amplification of fly DNA
• Experiment #7: agarose gel electrophoresis
• Making sense of the results from Experiments 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (discussion & conclusion).
• Making sense of results – identification of the genotypes according to the Drosophila strains.
• Prizes and farewell.