Outreach
What is Pharmacology?
The use of medicines is one of the principal ways of combating disease. Examples of important medicines are antibacterials, anti-cancer drugs, anti-migraine agents, and drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease and asthma, to name just a few.
The growth of pharmacology research during the mid-20th century saw a huge rise in the number of diseases that could be tackled effectively with drug therapy. The development of new and successful drugs requires advances and insights generated by scientific research.
Pharmacology is all about 'finding out how drugs work'. It is concerned with the effects of drugs on living organisms and their components, such as cells, membranes, organelles, enzymes and DNA.
Pharmacology affects us all, almost every day.
The Department aims to:
- Promote further study and careers in Pharmacology
- Help support learning and enrich the curriculum in local schools
- Provide a regular programme of Research Seminars in Pharmacology
- Provide members of the public with resources and information about our teaching and research via our website and other media
Public Engagement
The Department participates in several public outreach activities, the largest of which is the interdisciplinary Cambridge Festival.
In addition, there are hundreds of events at the University that are open to the general public. Many of these events are free of charge - you can find out more about them here.
One event that several researchers within the Department have taken part in over the last few years is Café Scientifique, where researchers give a talk in a local bar to provide insight into their everyday research, such as Dr Ewan St. John Smith's work with naked mole rats. These events are free to the public, sponsored by the Medical Research Council and a podcast accompanying each event is produced by the Naked Scientist.
Cambridge Festival
The Department of Pharmacology runs an event called Medicines Under the Microscope, which examines the effects of common drugs on the heart rate of the water flea Daphnia magna (e.g. caffeine from Red Bull, nicotine from nicotine patches and ethanol from alcohol-containing beverages).
Children of all ages are welcome to attend and have the opportunity to catch their own pet, look at its heart, eye and legs etc. under the microscope and even take it home (with instructions for care, of course!)
Using a microscope linked to a television, researchers from the Department then assist in helping everyone present to count the heart rate of the water flea and how drugs such as nicotine and ethanol affect the rate: real pharmacology for all to see!
Aspiring Scientist Training Programme
The Department regularly takes part in the Asipiring Scientist Training Programme, where we host a small cohort of ASTP students. This is an exciting widening participation work experience scheme, designed to give A-level biology students a chance to experience what a career as a biologist entails, from bespoke workshops with experts in the sector, to networking opportunities with scientists and the chance to explore life at a world-renowned research university.
The programme is targeted at students in state (non-fee paying) schools, ages 16+ who are currently pursuing A-level/IB/Higher level (or equivalent) qualifications in biology, maths and either chemistry, physics or further maths, and who are interested in higher education or a career in science. The programme is extremely competitive, with hundreds of applications for a limited number of spaces.
This scheme is managed by the Gurdon Institute, which collaborates with Colleges and institutes to host student placements. This year, students were housed in St. Catherine's and Pembroke Colleges where they rested, socialised and ate every day. For the work placement aspect, students were assigned to the following locations:
- Gurdon Institute
- Sainsbury Lab
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research
- Institute for Metabolic Science
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit
- Dept. of Biochemistry
- Dept. of Pharmacology
- MRC Toxicology Unit
For one week, students
- spent afternoons in a lab each day, learning and practising research techniques
- attended four bespoke, interactive workshops with experts
- researched a scientific topic or technique and created and delivered a presentation to peers and researchers
- met and network with PhD students and other scientists to talk to them about their jobs and get advice about careers and educational opportunities
- explored Cambridge University, with the opportunity to ask questions and get advice from staff and students
Work Experience
We are happy to consider applications from suitably qualified applicants from universities in the UK or abroad for research studentships, usually for 4 – 6 weeks over the Summer.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to the Principal Investigators in the Department. More information can be found below.
Young Pharmas
Young Pharmas is an exciting annual work placement headed by Dr Paul Miller in which several hands-on practical sessions give students currently studying biology and chemistry the opportunity to experience what a career in science might be like. Highlighting the importance of making accurate scientific measurements and introducing modern techniques such as fluorescence microscopy.
As well as aiding in the understanding of current A-level subjects, Young Pharmas aim to get students thinking about science in a wider context beyond the classroom and give a taster of what life as a University of Cambridge student might be like.