Biological Sciences prides itself on its caring and friendly atmosphere, we were graded as Excellent for our Teaching and Quality Assessement and continue to deliver innovative and inspiring teaching with state-of-the-art technical facilities.

We have six designated undergraduate teaching laboratories at our disposal, together with a number of post-graduate and specialised facilities laboratories within the Mellor building.
The Human Sciences Suite comprises of a series of interlinked laboratories, that were opened in June 2002, focusing on the interaction between Human Biology and Psychology. Virtual Tour of Human Sciences Laboratory. It has a number of specialist areas, research expertise and dedicated technical support. The aim is to promote educational activity in Human Sciences, linking practitioners from a variety of fields, in order to facilitate cross-fertilisation of ideas and engender excellence.

A wide range of clinical diagnostic equipment enables the biochemical and haematological analysis of human body fluids such as blood and electrolytes.

Here undergraduate projects have included levels of antioxidants in plasma when drinking green tea and coated blood leucocytes tested on HPLC. We have been awarded accreditation by the institute of Biomedical Sciences and this focuses on the study of the Biology of Human Health and disease so developing understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

There is a dedicated area where participants can undertake physical activity utilising a treadmill and exercise bikes.



This enables the monitoring of physical and biochemical parameters during activity.
Undergraduate projects have included "The effect of exercise intensity on cholestrerol and measurement of levels of testosterone during a competitive event". The Cardiovasucalar component comprises impedance cardiographic equipment, ambulatory monitoring for heart and vascular function and portable blood pressure monitoring units.

There are several emerging foci of research utilising the Human Sciences Facilities and these include:

• Work on analysis of protein aggregation using IR (Infrared Spectroscopy).
• Research into the psychoneuroimmunolgical effects of heat stress on competing athletes by measuring immunoglobulins and cortisol in blood and saliva samples.
• Use of DNA profiling and genotyping to investigate disease phenotypes, for example the investigation of genotypic markers which are risk factors for diabetes and their correlation with psychological profiles.
• Development and in-vitro evaluation of potential anti-cancer compounds using human tumour cell lines with the North Staffordshire University Hospital.
  
  
  There are also a number of courses planned for the near future utlising the HSL and these include :

Other resources include our cutting-edge genomic facility including equipment such as

the Genetic Analyser (ABI 310)



and Real Time-PCR (MJ research)



which supplements our existing molecular facilities including, DNA concentrator, Electophoresis equipment, Gel imaging analysis systems, and PCR machines. The ability to profile DNA swiftly not only has a variety of medical applications but is also of immense value to those students on awards with forensic aspects, DNA profiling being one of the main techniques available in Forensic biological work. If you are a student on these awards you will also benefit from the ability to use the Crime Scene House, this is a fully refurbished detached house, complete with CCTV and observation room. Virtual Tours of Crime Scene House. There is also an attached large garden allowing realistic open air forensic investigations.

From within our Molecular lab we have access to our Tropical insect rearing facility used for the study of insect-borne diseases and general Animal Biology. Here research topics such as ‘An investigation between the genome of Ades aegypti and the cuticular hydrocarbons’ and third year undergraduate projects involving Forensic decompostition and specific projects involving Calliphora sp of flies are facilitated. Virtual Tour of Molecular Research Laboratory.

Cell Culture Laboratory

Facilities are available for the routine culture of human and other mammalian cell lines including Class II laminar airflow containment, inverted phase contrast microscopes, CO2 incubators and cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen. Cell lines routinely grown include human small cell lung cancer and murine fibrosarcomas with differing sensitivities to the anticancer drug cisdiamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin). Virtual Tour of Tissue Culture Facility.

These facilities are used routinely for undergraduate and postgraduate student projects and to support student practical classes. Recent research collaborations have been with Andrew Platt (Forensic Science, Staffordshire University) concerning the development of novel anticancer drugs and with Paul Van Veldhoven (Departement Moleculaire Celbiologie, Kathollieke Universiteit Leuven) concerning mechanisms of resistance to anticancer drugs.

Immunoassays

Facilities are available for enzyme immunoassays in both 96-well plate format and in situ on microscope slides. Available equipment includes 96-well plate spectrophotometers with computerised data capture and analysis and a fluorescence microscope with both visible and uv excitation and photographic image capture. ELISA and immunofluorescence assays are regularly performed with secretory IgA, testosterone and actin as target molecules.

These facilities are used routinely to support postgraduate student projects and practical classes. Recent research collaborations have been with David Sheffield (Psychology, Staffordshire University) concerning the immunological effects of stress and Marc Jones (Sport & Exercise, Staffordshire University) concerning hormonal changes associated with winning or loosing at sport.

A category II microbiological facility, including a comprehensive microbiolgical culture collection for those interested in Microbial Biology, is used for undergraduate teaching, research and consultancy, (such consultancy has included pipe sewage work for the Faculty of Engineering and investigative work on water purification systems). This, linked with our accreditation by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, develops an understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Facilities include pathological cabinets, orbital shakers, high speed centrifuges, etc. Undergraduate projects within this area have included "Microbiological Resitance to Various Hand Creams" and "Effectiveness of Essential oils as Anti-microbial Agents". Virtual Tour of Microbiology and Genetics Laboratory.

A large modern Analytical Suite encompassing a whole range of detection equipment gives us a diverse and modern facility, equally at home analysing drugs in the body or pollutants in the environment, equipment includes UV-vis Spectrophotometers, Gas Chromatographs,

Scanning Electron Microscope

and Capillary Electrophoresis equipment, just to name a few. Virtual Tour of Analytical Suite.

Ecology

Facilities include an air pollution suite, and a number of greenhouses and constant temperature rooms for plant and insect growth.

On the edge of the campus we have our own nature reserve.

Useful for Forensic decomposition studies but also an innovative and desirable facility fully embedded into our more ecological and conservation orientated courses.

Further equipment includes Differential GPS

which we use in conjunction with ArcGIS software to produce maps of study areas and density plots of study animals as in the example below.

We also have radio-tracking equipment

(photo credit Matsuko Kubota)

and a Mobile Comunications Technology Platform (MCTP)

- or minibus - which can be equipped with solar panels for completely independent fieldwork (photo credit Doug Peters/Earthwatch).

Further information about research projects can be found at the IESR(Institute for Environment and Sustainability Research website.