A four week science project in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee has led to Fahriea Anis (18) of Grove Academy being selected as a Scottish finalist at the BA Crest Science Fair in London on Monday February 17.
In July 2002 Fahriea completed a four-week science project funded by a Nuffield bursary, in the laboratory of Professor Grahame Hardie in the Division of Molecular Physiology, and presented her results in a poster presentation at the Golden Crest Awards at the Kelvin Galleries in Glasgow. Fahriea then entered her presentation in the BA CREST Science Fair competition.
For her project, Fahriea studied the function of one particular part of AMPK, a large protein complex that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism in humans and which is involved in the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The DNA encoding of this part of AMPK was cloned, inserted into bacteria, and the bacteria were used to make the protein for further studies.
Fahriea will present her work in three poster presentations, which have been sponsored by the Wellcome Trust Biocentre at the University of Dundee, Grove Academy and the local branch of the BA.
The Science Fair projects are submitted by 15-19 year olds, and selected by a preliminary judging panel. Fahriea is one of only five Scottish finalists of the 41 competitors selected to go through to the finals to be judged at The Royal Society on Monday, 17 February. A total of 70 poster presentations were entered into the competition. The winners have the opportunity to represent the UK at International Science Fairs in Ohio, Stockholm, London and Budapest later in the year.
This event is the first BA CREST Science Fair and is a combination of the BA Science Fair and the CREST National Final. This is the first year the two have joined together. 150 students will be taking part from all over the UK.
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk