GTAC Science Immersion Research

GTAC Science Immersion Research Experience (SIRE): An Inspiring Journey into DNA Manipulation and Authentic Research

The GTAC Science Immersion Research Experience (SIRE) program was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to explore various DNA manipulation techniques such as CRISPR, PCR and gel electrophoresis. 

During this program I collaborated with many experienced staff from the GTAC laboratory as well as scientists from the Peter MacCallum Cancer centre to undertake real authentic research. Apart from the research, I was also lucky enough to tour the many labs within the cancer centre, showing the complex but intriguing research experiments that were being undertaken. Some of which included live animals such as flies and zebrafish. 

During the program I was really interested and excited to perform experiments that up to this point I had only ever learnt about in school and I was able to utilise advanced scientific equipment to do so. 

This program did not just allow me to perform real research with experienced and friendly scientists but it was an eye opening experience seeing how much effort researchers put in to achieve sufficient experimental results within the lab as well as interpreting and presenting these findings as well. 

Overall I really enjoyed this program and it encouraged me to pursue a career in science in the future. To gain additional insights, you can also explore my teams video which is available at this link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwDnkdSPK8w.

Jonathan Retuta

Year 11