I WANT THE SANGER INSTITUTE

OH MY FREAKIN' GOODNESS. I was not expecting to be so completely and utterly blown away by the Sanger Institute. The Sanger Institute, which we visited as a class today, is a huge center for genomic research, the place where 1/3 of the human genome (a HUGE portion) was sequenced during the Human Genome Project, and the source of Sanger sequencing, the really basic concept behind all genetic sequencing. Really important place. However, having visited genetic laboratories before, specifically with my awesome high school science teacher in my Cell Bio class, I thought I knew what to expect and I thought I would only be mildly excited. Oooooh boy.
First of all, the campus is extremely beautiful. Quite modern, not at all like the ancient buildings of Cambridge University (about 1/2 an hour away). The best way I can describe it is to compare it to the Yahoo campus my stepdad works at. As in gorgeous and ecologically friendly. They had a living roof at Sanger!! Eco-concious stuff all over the place! Green grass! Pretty buildings! Yay! AHH!

The front of the Sanger Institute

Middle(ish) of the Sanger Institute courtyard

Second of all, we had AMAZING lecturers. The first guy who spoke to us was a PhD researcher and a practicing MD. He must have spent soooo much time in school. He spends four days a week researching cancer genetics and one day a week practicing clinical oncology. I want his job! That is such a cool arrangement!

Lecture room we were based from

So after his lecture, I'm wide eyed and hyper because I'm so excited about what he was talking about. And then we get a second lecturer. NEUROSCIENCE AND GENETICS!!! Let me repeat: AAAAAAHHHHH!
I do not have words to describe how completely psyched out I am right now. I'm going to compare it to being at a Goo Goo Dolls concert for the first time because that's how good it was. Plus an element of academic mind BLOWN.
I really really wish this program incorporated more seminars with lectures from researchers here at Cambridge. I just want to talk to them about what they are studying all day.

Celebrating 75 extraordinary years; welcome (something). Extraordinary attempt to write with shrubbery.

So at this point, I am completely convinced that I want to work for the Sanger Institute. And then we get to talk to a pre-PhD and he tells us about his arrangement with Sanger. He is getting fully funded to get his PhD through Cambridge AND is being paid to work at Sanger. He's got it SWEET. Apparently Sanger works with the University to direct a PhD program. The students spend one year rotating between three labs at Cambridge and then move on to do their own project and thesis during the next three years. AND THEN THEY HAVE A PhD!
Mind blown AGAIN!
With the pre-PhD, we got to tour the sequencing lab and the various buildings on the campus. What is really cool is that the technology that was new when I visited Genentech with Mr. Zaccheo is now referred to as "the old technology". Its been what, 3 years??? Then new method of sequencing involves breaking up DNA, dropping it on a glass plate, washing it with solutions containing a single nucleotide type with fluorescence tagging and taking visual pictures that the computers interpret. Based on which spots light up when flooded with a base, the computer can determine the sequence of the genome. IT IS SO COOL. Take my word for it ;)
I can't wait to talk to Mr. Zaccheo.

So now that my mind is a quivering mass of jello too excited to even think straight, I have a really cool idea. I'm thinking that after I finish my double major of genetics and history at davis (getting my B.A.S), I might want to go get a masters degree in neuroscience, providing me with some actual background in the subject! Then, I might go try working for a year or so (because they said that helps the application process) and during that time I will set up to apply to institutes like Sanger (but mostly Sanger) to get into the PhD program they have set up with Cambridge, where I will study the epigenetics of the brain! They just had a researcher start up on some epigenetic projects, so by the time I get there, that research should be taking off! Dr. Kimbrell keeps saying that epigenetics will be the next field to be explored…
YESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!!!! (Five exclamation marks, a sure sign of an insane mind) CAN YOU TELL I'M EXCITED?????

To make today even better, this morning I found a really cheap copy of a Terry Pratchett book I haven't read (Mort) and I found jelly babies in a sweets shop. For those of you who say "so what?", I can only say: "fourth doctor reference that is totally and completely awesome".
Topping it off, we went to see Macbeth this evening in Trinity park- a beautiful garden normally forbidden to the public but open for the play. Discount tickets + beautiful park + Cambridge shakespeare festival = happiness. We decided to go on YouTube and watch the Reduced Shakespeare Company version afterwards. Go see it. It is funny and won't take that long (I hereby disassociate myself from the extra hours you will spend surfing youTube for more of their work after watching this. I have no responsibility or liability. grin)

Hannah at the sweets shop on a spiral staircase

Stage for Macbeth

Tiny fraction of the garden behind the play

Righty. Off to bed. I'm going to try to find some Stone Age ruins tomorrow.