Crystal based outreach

Science FairDr Lata Govada and Prof Naomi Chayen participated at an outreach event at the British Crystallographic Association’s stand ‘The structure stuff is sweet’ in the UK’s biggest Science and Engineering event, The Big Bang Fair at Birmingham NEC Arena. They gave an overview of the importance of protein crystallization and its applications, followed by hands on setting up of crystallisation experiments by the audience with real protein and watching crystals grow. The visitors to the exhibition were fascinated to watch the crystals form in real time and were keen to take them back home.

Dr Lata Govada has also been involved in the mentoring of Year 12 students in a programme organised by The British Science Association Crest Awards. The project under investigation was: Can crystals of Piezometric protein be used as a vaccine for malaria?