Liverpool School Embraces Life Science Leaders of Tomorrow  

Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, the first school in the UK to specialise in science and healthcare, has collaborated with some of the country’s leading life sciences experts to create an unrivalled learning environment for its students. 
Based in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, this specialist school has been supported since its inception by local and national partners, including Redx Pharma, The University of Liverpool and Actavis, in the formation of a project-based learning syllabus. 
By bridging the gap between academia and hands-on experience, students aged between 14 – 19 are prepared for the life sciences roles of tomorrow by incorporating traditional learning with a contemporary hands-on approach. 

Students Become Scientists with Life Sciences Leaders
Redx, located in Liverpool and Alderley Edge, Cheshire, has played a key role in the development of the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC and as a major sponsor provides students with extended work placements. This March, life sciences students spent four weeks working on a project set and supported by their own Redx mentors, which allowed them to build their technical abilities in an environment engineered around life sciences. 

Anastasia Roberts, a Year 13 student said: “My experience with Redx Pharma has confirmed my enthusiasm for working in the pharmaceutical industry as a medical chemist. My time here has shown me the importance of patience and flexibility, areas that can be applied to my studies at school. I’ve also grown to understand the importance of learning from research and my mistakes – these attributes are vital if you wish to succeed!”

During her placement with Redx, Anastasia assisted the Anti-Infectives team by performing supervised chemical reactions and gained hands-on experience conducting experimental procedures. 

Neil Murray, CEO of Redx Pharma, commented: “The exposure to a range of inspiring working environments is one of the many fantastic elements of the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC curriculum. Ensuring that the next generation of young scientists has the requisite practical skills to thrive in the dynamic world of Life Science is a critical part of equipping them for future careers in the sector.

“Our team is working to develop novel solutions to some of the most pressing global healthcare issues facing our generation and we’re delighted to be partnering with the UTC to provide their students with real-world insights and experiences.”

Similarly, student’s ambitions are being realised through a partnership with world-class microbiology expert, Mast Group Ltd, a supplier of diagnostic products, for clinical, industrial and veterinary testing, with offices in Bootle and across the world in locations including South Africa and Europe. 

In February, the company invited student Rachel Winrow, 17, to embark on a work-placement programme to benefit her knowledge of microbiology: “My school arranged for me to spend four weeks working with Mast and its microbiology team after hearing that I’d like to study tropical medicine at The University of Liverpool. I was looking to spend a month overseas examining the prevention of malaria following my placement, so this opportunity with Mast was perfect for me!

“I spent my four weeks at Mast shadowing microbiologists, investigating the effectiveness of antibiotics and helping to design new antibiotics that could combat modern infections,” Rachel added.

As well as contributing to the school’s placement scheme, Mast has also donated  state-of-the-art equipment to the school’s laboratories, allowing life sciences students to explore DNA construction. 

Phil Lloyd, principal at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, said: “It’s a delight to be working with Mast, this partnership will provide our young people with an opportunity to gain invaluable work placement experiences that contributes to a well-rounded learning experience.”

Transmitting Virus Breakthroughs
As well as engaging with local businesses, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC has also collaborated with a number of renowned UK institutions and academics to present scientific break-through.

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