Question: what new experiments have you done?

Vicky Forster answered on 12 Nov 2013:

Hey Rani,

I’ve done quite a few new experiments throughout my short scientific career. One is using a machine called a flow cytometer to look for problems with a cell’s DNA called mutations. We know that if a cell has a certain mutation, this mutation will change the mixture of proteins on the surface of the cell. Using the flow cytometer and some tools called antibodies, we can then look to see which cells have these proteins on their cell surface, and which don’t. The machine is vital, because the cells are so small, and we want to test loads of them for the mutation – it would take ages to do using just a microscope. Using the flow cytometer, we can collect data on up to 1000 cells every second!