However, on October 18th, Dr. Diana Fagan will be presenting aspects of her research program. Specifically, the title of her talk is:
“Using phage display for
the production of sensors, drug discovery,
and the treatment of disease”
Please be sure to attend this seminar.
UPDATE: Links to relevant papers below -
UPDATE: Links to relevant papers below -
In Dr. Fagan’s presentation, she started off by discussing her history; her education, the decisions she had made, and job offers she had and the ones she took. She then went on to discussing the pros and cons of the types of degrees as well as the some of the jobs that you can get with that type of degree. She then turned her attention onto the research that has been going on in her lab regarding the production of monoclonal antibodies and phage display for drug discovery, creating biosensors to detect blood for military or police use, and studying the effects of using biologics such as mesenchymal stromal cells and platelet-rich plasma in wound healing such as hernias or calcaneal tendon injury.
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing her research as well as the methods and lab techniques that were used, she often stopped to mention that those who had experience with performing lab techniques were offered jobs or acceptance into higher education programs. So my question is, do you think that learning to perform the lab techniques and skills are equally as important as learning the theory behind why the technique is used and what it does?
I do believe that ,in order to able to say you know a certain technique completely, someone must have both an understanding of both the why and the how a technique is done. In order for a lab to function, their needs to be a plan and a way to carry out that plan. They aid each other in understanding. It also depends on the level of work you want to achieve as well. If you are just an entry level position who is just told to do this lab technique over and over again by a superior, then there is no thought really required; but if you want to be that superior person in the lab, then you need to be able to understand why this needs to be done and the theories behind it.
DeleteI think that experience in carrying out the lab work is definitely equally important to understanding the mechanisms behind the concept. If a doctor understood that a patient was suffering from acute appendicitis, and knew that the appendix needed to be removed, there would not be much benefit to that knowledge unless the doctor also knew how to perform surgery, find the appendix, and safely remove it. All the book smarts in the world would not still not make a person the perfect employee if they do not possess the skills to carry out the work. I think that's probably a big reason that employers look for laboratory experience when considering potential candidates - they don't want to just take a gamble who has an impressive GPA but has never been exposed to the hands-on aspects. They want a person who can understand the theory, AND actually demonstrate it.
ReplyDeleteI think both are equally important. Learning laboratory technique just deepens understanding of what has been taught. Knowing the principle and purpose behind a laboratory technique will help understand and apply the concept through the practical skill. You develop the critical problem solving skills and you can be able to demonstrate the application of the techniques. In summary the blending of both compliments each other.
ReplyDeleteFor most career paths, I believe the practical application of scientific theory would be just as important as the knowledge of the science itself. If you want to be a doctor or work in biological industry, for example, you will need to understand and carry out the laboratory techniques that you learned about in your classes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they are equally important. You can not have one without the other. Its great knowing a lot of knowledge but if you can not apply it then it is worthless. Same with the other way around, being able to perform lab techniques is great but without knowing what you are doing is worthless. You need both to have a proper understanding of science. It is important to fully understand and practice both methods to fully understand the topic you are studying.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that both are equally relevant. Having a good knowledge and understanding about something but not being able to put it into practice and being skillful about something but not knowing why it is done will make you unsuccessful. However, having a blend of both theoretical and practical knowledge will make you outstanding and an expert in your field of interest.
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