Profile

My work involves genetically modifying genes in plants. By changing the gene we can change the number of pores on the plants. The pores on the plant are called stomata and they let carbon dioxide in, so the plant can grown, but at the same time lose water. This is a balancing act as the plant wants lot of carbon dioxide but not to lose water. The plants can change the number of stomata and can also open and close to try and gain carbon dioxide and save water.

In the world we have a lot of problems with drought and crops dying. We can change the number of stomata and try to help the plant conserve more water for conditions where there is a lot of drought.

I normally get to work for around 10am. Everyone else is normally there, I am not a morning person! I do a variety of  jobs in the lab these can range from PCR ( a way of increasing DNA fragments), making gels to run DNA on, sowing seeds (sometimes on agar!)    a few breaks on the computer to go through data I have collected (/use facebook and check my emails ten times a day)

And best of all I spend a good amount of time on a microscope taking some cool photos.

Occasionally I get to venture out and do cool things like go to Parliament and discuss science!