UCL Eastman researcher Dr Adam Roberts and a group of aspiring scientists have spent an unusual day swabbing the ss Great Britain for useful bacteria.
The Future Brunels programme aims to inspire and enthuse young people with science and engineering throughout their time at secondary school.
The group were taking part in Dr Roberts’ Swab & Send project which enlists the public’s help in the search for new antibiotics.
Dr Rachel Roberts, Head of Education at the SS Great Britain Trust, said: “Our Year 11 Future Brunels are taking part in activities with the theme of “The Human-being,” looking at the impact of science and engineering on our lives and our world today.
“They relished the opportunity to contribute to the award-winning Swab & Send project and explore the global concern of antimicrobial resistance with Dr Roberts.”
Samples collected from the historic ship were quickly analysed by the Swab & Send team and the results published on the project’s Facebook page.
The Future Brunels were successful in finding bacteria producing antimicrobial compounds - even managing to find some interesting isolates from inside the cigar case of Brunel himself.
Read more about the Swab & Send project and the Future Brunels.
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