MBI welcomes students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
SRUTHI JAGANNATHAN | AUGUST 2017
On 16th of August, a group of 13 students from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China visited the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore to learn more about scientific research in Singapore.
The visit started with a talk given by MBI Principal Investigator Prof. Yan Jie, who introduced the students to concepts in Mechanobiology, with a focus on how his lab’s expertise in using magnetic tweezers to probe single-molecule biophysics has led to novel findings on how proteins interact with one another. He also spoke about the excellent teaching and training opportunities offered by the MBI Graduate Program.
“It is a great opportunity for them to be exposed to the frontier of research in Singapore” -Professor Huijuan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
After the talk, the students were guided through the labs by staff members of the MBI wet lab core team, who showed them the various equipment and facilities available at MBI labs, and briefly explained their operation and applications. Following a general lab tour, the students had a chance to learn more about specific laboratory techniques through demonstrations carried out by MBI researchers. This included demonstrations of an advanced imaging technique called spinning Disk Microscopy by staff of the MBI Microscopy Core and the working of a device called a magnetic tweezer (used to manipulate and study the mechanical properties of single molecules) by former MBI Research Fellow, You Hui Juan, who is currently a professor at the Department of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Magnetic tweezes are used to study the mechanical properties of single molecules. This is done by tethering the molecules to a surface at one end and adding a magnetic bead to its other end. An external magnet controls the bead and applies force or torque on the molecule. The mechanical changes in the molecule are then recorded by video microscopy.
The end of the lab tour and the demonstrations wrapped up the student visit.
The visit was fruitful for the students as they had the opportunity to understand the basic concepts in Mechanobiology, learn the importance of interdisciplinary research and get a glimpse into the daily life of a researcher.
MBI welcomes students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
On 16th of August, a group of 13 students from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), China visited the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore to learn more about scientific research in Singapore.
MBI welcomes students from Seoul National University
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