THE ground breaking development of the controversial ‘three parent baby’ technique was the hot topic as three notable professors from the North East inspired the next generation of scientists at Dame Allan’s Schools.
Professor Robert McFarland’s pioneering studies into Mitochondrial Donation, an IVF technique using genetic materials from three people to give families affected by mitochondrial disease the chance of having healthy children, was discussed as part of the Schools’ first Science Lecture Evening, ‘Saving Lives One Cell at a Time’.
To coincide with British Science Week, Prof. McFarland, based at Newcastle University, was invited to join fellow professors Liz Sockett and Ruth Plummer to talk to pupils and parents at the Senior School.
He is currently leading a major study on the outcome of Mitochondrial Donation following the 2016 parliamentary changes to the law to permit the procedure, nicknamed ‘three parent baby’ in the UK.
Hailed as the inspiration behind the creation of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, Prof. Plummer shared her story of the success of the anti-cancer drug rucaparib which was discovered by her and her team at Newcastle University and the Northern Institute for Cancer Research.
Sharing the stage, Prof. Sockett returned to the school she left in 1980 to talk about her exciting work at the University of Nottingham to establish the predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio as a way of fighting against superbugs.
Jason Downie, Head of Science at Dame Allan’s, said: “It was such an honour to welcome three esteemed scientists to the school, and everybody was inspired by what they all had to say.
“The pupils were amazed to hear first hand how far science has taken the speakers in their careers, and also how big an impact they have all had on the world.
“We would like to thank all three for taking time out of their busy schedule to pass on their inspiration to our scientists in the making.”
Dame Allan’s Principal, Dr John Hind, said: “Newcastle has become a real city of science in recent years, so how fitting that these three exceptional scientists treat us to such an interesting talk in the town.
“It is a great inspiration to our pupils that they all started in school labs similar to ours and have gone on to carry out such important work.”