Workshops

Holiday workshops: Bacterial Evolution (ages 15–18)

Step into the role of a clinical bacteriologist and use research-grade laboratory equipment to investigate DNA samples from new outbreaks of bacterial disease.

Image credit: URENCO

Participants use restriction enzyme digests and gel electrophoresis to analyse and learn about DNA, restriction enzymes and evolution. At the end of the workshop participants look at the DNA evidence and decide what medical advice they would give to the patients of the outbreak.
This workshop takes place in the Urenco Young Scientist Centre’s teaching laboratory, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience working in a real lab environment. For safety reasons, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes, and anyone with long hair is required to tie it back.


Warning: this workshop contains discussion of a fictional disease outbreak and some graphical medical images.

This workshop is strictly for ages 15–18 only. We reserve the right to refund or deny entry to those who are not in this age range.

This workshop will include a 30 minute unsupervised lunch break. Students should bring their own lunch and a drink.

Refunds can only be issued for tickets cancelled at least two weeks (14 calendar days) in advance of the event date. Please note that this supersedes our normal event terms and conditions. Please also note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

About the Urenco Young Scientist Centre

The Urenco Young Scientist Centre (UYSC) is an imaginative science laboratory in the Ri, where young people can experience and explore science outside of the classroom. 

In a UYSC workshop, students become a scientist for the day, exploring science through hands-on experiments. They are encouraged to engage in scientific discovery through curiosity-driven learning. 

In our workshops, students are encouraged to use a range of scientific skills including: making observations, collecting data, analysing results, in addition to teamwork and communication skills. 

Just as in the best research laboratories, students have access to advanced technology and techniques outside the normal school curriculum, making this a science trip to remember. 

For any queries regarding this workshop please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

Event terms and conditions