A blog on the borders of the Medical, Chemical and Biological sciences.
arsmedendi In a recent blog post, I discussed the essentials of the Formulation Science discipline, using a long explanation involving cake. I am not a Formulation Chemist, but I quite liked writing this post. For my own enjoyment, and to be more technical, here’s a follow up! The Role of Formulation Science So, Formulation is an essential … Read more
Formulation Science? I’m currently studying for a PhD in Chemistry, and yet never during my Chemistry Undergraduate or Postgraduate career have I come across any modules or even seminars touching on formulation science. This is largely because formulation science is seen as an industry staple, something that doesn’t have a place in more blue-sky, academic research … Read more
Clinical trials are the bane of doctors and researchers alike. They are expensive, they rarely pay off, and they take a long time. But of course no one wants a situation where we simply don’t test drugs before we give them to vulnerable patients. The consequences of under-testing are dire, and it still happens that … Read more
This post is inspired by my recent visit to Hiroshima in Japan. Whilst there, I had the chance to visit the Peace Park and Peace Museum. Unfortunately, the latter was under refurbishment at the time, and therefore only half of it was open. The museum did, however, provide incredibly valuable and poignant insight into the … Read more
I recently (well, fairly recently) gave a presentation in my research group on this topic. Both microscopy and polymer synthesis are sciences close to my heart, so I thought it was worth attempting to explain the science to a wider audience. Please do have a look at the paper or Science Mag. article if you’re … Read more
The UK is a worrying place to live at the moment, with soothsayers preaching about economic, social and environmental collapse at every street corner (or posting about it on Facebook, at least). This makes it a perfect time to post a few stories about factors leading to political persuasion! In science we trust. Research … Read more
This blog exists as a canvas on which I paint my various musings on science and medicine (and some other things). Years of training does more than just make you able to interpret scientific findings – it makes you acutely aware of how much else there is out there to learn! But sometimes I don’t have … Read more
What is Citizen Science and why should I care? Citizen science is a brand new area of scientific research that has only received proper acknowledgement in the last few decades, and it is an area in which everyone can get involved. In particular, areas such as bird-watching (ornithology) or astronomy lend themselves to this … Read more
Our Friendly Gut Bacteria The recent discovery of the importance of our Microbiome (our “friendly” gut bacteria) has served as a critical reminder to medical researchers that the body does not exist as a series of disconnected notes or phrases, but as a wondrous song with many interconnected melodies and harmonies that each play an … Read more
The Book Do No Harm – Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery Henry Marsh Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2014 What it’s about: A Summary I don’t want to spoil the book by giving too much away in this summary. I would simply say that, if you are looking into a career in the medical profession, this … Read more