Yellow background with world globe in foreground and icons related to medicine and life sciences

Medicine and Life Sciences will introduce you to new research techniques and subject content. 

In the past, students have: 

  • Conducted practical experiments, collected and analysed data. 
  • Spent a day learning real clinical skills.
  • Encountered new concepts and systems in lecture-led teaching sessions. 
  • Worked as part of a team to analyse case studies and construct a genogram. 
  • Developed their understanding of molecular biology theory and practice through a range of practical activities.

Sample session outline

Medicine sessions

Urinary system (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

Understanding Endocrinology and Diabetes (August only)

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

From bench to bedside: Exploring the immune response to microbes

You will explore the fascinating world of host-pathogen interaction and the effectiveness of interventions that improve human health by preventing or controlling the spread of disease. 

Clinical skills (practical)
Led by a clinical lecturer, you will 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
Life Sciences
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.
GSS medicine students

Students practice taking blood

Students conducting hands on experiments

Global Summer School students conducting hands-on experiments.

Undergraduate students teaching Global Summer School Student how to use equipment

Medicine and life science students listen to a lecture in the bio-lab.

Two young women experimenting in the lab

Medicine and life science students using real lab equipment.