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Prince William visits the Francis Crick Institute and tries lab techniques
Summary
Prince William made a surprise visit to the Francis Crick Institute in London, met neuroscience researchers and tried handling microscopic tissue samples in the electron microscopy lab.
Content
Prince William made a surprise visit to the Francis Crick Institute in central London where staff gathered to greet him. He met researchers working on brain function and approaches to restore speech. In the electron microscopy department he donned a white lab coat and practised moving tiny tissue slices using an eyelash on a fine stick. He also viewed tuberculosis cell studies, joined A-level biology students for a workshop, and signed the visitors' book.
Key details:
- Staff came out of their labs and applauded when the Prince arrived.
- Neuroscientists Andreas Schaefer and Katharina Schmack described work on how neural circuits compute and efforts to understand psychosis and speech recovery; psychosis was reported as affecting about one in 100 people.
- In the basement electron microscopy lab he handled a minute slice of mouse tissue and tried to position sections at an electronic microtome using an eyelash attached to a fine stick.
- The Crick's CEO noted the institute is hiring, and staff highlighted ongoing tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance research connected to The Fleming Centre appeal.
- He took part in a genetic engineering workshop with A-level students, used a pipette under their direction, and received small mementos before departing.
Summary:
The visit highlighted ongoing biomedical research and public engagement at the Crick, including work on brain disorders and antibiotic resistance. Undetermined at this time.
