Cells, Sprays and Spiders!

We all know that when we cough and sneeze that lovely particles fill the air – but what are they, what do they contain and how do we measure them? Microbiologist Susan Paton will describe how aerosol science has helped to study Tuberculosis and SARS-CoV2 infection and transmission – using old and new techniques – including using spider microthreads!

I am Emma Murphy and I am a Biomedical sciences placement student from the University of Manchester. While on placement I am working within the TB group at UKHSA. My work focuses on the survival of the bacterium which causes the infection tuberculosis. To do this I use an unusual 8-legged aerobiological model to investigate what happens to the bacteria in the air before infection! I hope you aren’t afraid of spiders…

Cells are the building blocks of life - and since the 1950’s, cells have been cultured in the lab and have be used by scientists to understand all sorts of things; from the effect of zero gravity to getting a better understanding of cancer and HIV and cell lines have played a part in more than a third of the Nobel prize for medicine winning projects! Edward Burnett, a cell culture expert will introduce you to the fascinating story of the first cell line, and some of the discoveries made using cell lines, such as the development of the Polio and more recently the COVID-19 vaccines.