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Last week, budding scientists from the Beaconsfield 606 Air Cadets got a fascinating insight into the work being done to conceive a pharmaceutical or surgical “cure” for cancer.

 In total, twelve cadets visited the department of Oncology, belonging to the University of Oxford, and received an incredible understanding of the issues faced from Dr. Martin Christlieb, who is the public engagement manager at the department.

Along with two scientists working at the laboratories, Dr. Christlieb introduced the fundamentals behind treating cancer; detailing both the issues, such as cancer cells’ differentiations from human cells, and successes that they have had, coming along way from when we first knew about the disease.

Furthermore, we had the unique opportunity to explore the work undertaken by PhD students and senior scientists inside the labs, including talking to them about the sections of oncology they have worked on, as well as why they pursued a career in Science. We also picked up on many amusing aspects, such as the names of scientific instruments- one was called the belly dancer- and some unusual facts, such as that the study of Oncology is the study of lumps!

Another perk of touring the labs was looking at some of Europe’s most expensive, and modern, microscopes, which showed amazing images.

Overall, the day was an extremely enjoyable one, in which all the cadets were encouraged to think much more widely about possible opportunities in Science, and the benefits it has brought us.

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