Platforms of the ibs.GRANADA participate in the Science Week with a day full of activities
Three research support platforms of the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada have participated this morning in several scientific dissemination activities oriented to the students of the Abencerrajes School of Infant and Primary Education of Granada. The activity has been aimed at the first cycle of primary school courses and has been very well received at the center, by awakening the interest of students in science.
Dra. Sonia Morales explaining the function of enzymes
The ibs.GRANADA Proteomics platform has organized an activity entitled “Protein visualization experiments and functional assays in everyday foods“. In this activity carried out by Dr. Sonia Morales (in the cover photo), the structure and function of proteins, observation of proteins in various everyday foods (flour, milk, eggs, potatoes...) have been explained. The students have been able to observe how milk proteins are denatured with acids such as vinegar or lemon, and the denaturation of eggs with alcohol. They have also seen the differences in fluidity and density properties between wheat flour, which contains gluten proteins, and corn flour, which does not contain them, the latter forming a non-Newtonian fluid when mixed with water. And lastly, they have carried out experiments to detect the activity of the enzyme catalase, adding hydrogen peroxide to potato slices, checking how oxygen is given off and the surface of the potato bubbles. They have also been able to verify the loss of function in this enzyme when the same experiment is carried out having previously denatured the catalase on the surface of the potato with vinegar.
Dra. Sara Moreno next to the microscope
The Microscopy and Cellular Imaging platform of the ibs.GRANADA has organized an activity entitled Discovering the "invisible". This activity carried out by Dr. Sara Moreno, has consisted of a basic explanation of optical microscopy, the parts of an optical microscope and the applications of this technique in research. Visualization of samples of histological sections (artery, lung, skin, stomach, ...), cell cultures, samples of plant cells with and without fluorescence.
Dr. Jose Manuel Molina explaining hand hygiene
The Cell Culture platform of ibs.GRANADA has organized an activity entitled “The millions of bacteria that live on your hands.” This activity carried out by Dr. Jose Manuel Molina, has consisted of discovering to the students which microorganisms grow in our hands, as well as in common objects of our environment (my table and my chair, doorknob, keyboard and mouse computer, bathroom, etc) and my own body (on my skin, face, hands, etc). Everything has been done by sowing in culture petri dishes, resting the hands or face on the plate. It has been a very interesting contact with the microorganisms in our environment, also taking samples from places that they have wanted to analyze, such as points that we often touch with our hands or several people. For example, doorknobs, computer keyboard and mouse, tables where we eat, etc.
The day has lasted 5 hours, occupying all school hours and involving the center in the activities.