Cancer and immunotherapy 

Through a combination of classroom-based teaching, interactive group discussions and small group learning students: 

• Found out what cancer is, how it develops and how it impacts human health; 
• Understood the key players in the immune system, and examined the interplay between the immune system and cancer; 
• Investigated how recent research discoveries have allowed scientists to harness the power of the immune system to effectively target cancer cells, and discussed some of the exciting developments in the field of immunotherapy. 

Understanding Endocrinology and Diabetes  

Hormones affect every organ in the body, and regulate important physiological processes including growth, metabolism, stress and reproduction. Students investigated what happens when certain hormonal systems go wrong, and how we can diagnose and treat endocrine disease. 

They then explored the connection between diabetes and obesity – what it is, how it develops and its impact on health. 

Urinary system 

Following an introduction to the urinary system and its role in the body, students conducted practical urine analysis using dipsticks. As a group, they then developed management strategies for ensuring healthy kidney function including:  

• 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. 
   

The practical clinical skills session takes place at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Hammersmith or Charing Cross Hospital). This Trust is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, providing healthcare to around 1.5 million people each year. The hospitals are renowned for their strong research connections and are a major provider of education and training for health professionals and medical undergraduates. 

Led by a clinical lecturer, students participate in a series of practical sessions based on vital medical skills such as: 

• ABCDE assessment 
• Measuring blood pressure 
• Measuring blood glucose levels 
• NEWS scoring 
• Basic life support 
• Heart scan 
• Neck scan 
• CPR 
• Becoming an emergency leader 

During the 2022 Life Sciences sessions, students analysed 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. 

Students were introduced to health and safety and micropipette handling (Gilson) as well as fly genetics before undertaking a variety of practical experiments including: 

• Identification of the gene providing lacZ activity; 
• Identification of the tissue location of lacZ expression in modified fly larvae; 
• Visualisation of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) plasmid containing strain; 
• Thermo-sensitivity assay; 
• Genomic DNA preparation; 
• PCR amplification of fly DNA; 
• Agarose gel electrophoresis.