Ashrifa talks of her experience in the UK
It is with immense pleasure and heartfelt gratitude that I thank Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology for the Scholarship to undergo training in Proteomics at the Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research which is an affiliate of the University College London. Today I am part of some astounding research programmes in developing rapid diagnostic tools for infectious diseases.
The recent developments in science and technology have enabled doctors to perform ground breaking surgery to save patient’s life. Yet it does not end there. Post operative care is critical and at the mercy of many infectious disease which pose considerable amount of threat to the recovery of the patient.
Lives saved by surgery could be lost to a multitude of bacteria that can invade operative wounds or the suppressed immune system of the patient. A microbial swab usually takes 2 -3 days to be processed through conventional methods and hence Microbial Proteomics is a novel concept that is being experimented to seekrapid diagnostic tools for many potent infections.
I am currently working on Clostridium difficile andMethicillin Resistant Stapphylococusaureus. Both of these are hospital infections and seen to infect children and the elderly. They are both potent infection that if treated with the incorrect antibiotic can lead to mortality of a patient.As part of my research I am involved in studying the protein patterns of the bacteria using MALDI – TOF which is a Mass Spectrometer. We work extensively on studying various strains and comparison of their pathogenicity. We would be working towards a methodology that could be put to clinical use for diagnosing the disease and enhancing patient care.
Having completed my BSc. Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology from University of Mysore through Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology, the Outreach Centre in Colombo I was given this opportunity as part of the collaboration between SIST and NPIMR. Both institutes are dedicated towards creating scientists with a vision and the fortifying them with the tools to seek answers to global problems.
The years of study at Spectrum nurtured my skills and my thinking which inspired me to reach greater heights and pursue further studies in an all important field like ‘Medical Research’. At Spectrum I not only learnt my curriculum subjects but also time management, teamwork, leadership skills, confidence to test my ideas and was given unstinted support at all times.
I wish Spectrum Institute of Science and Technology the best very best for years to come !!!!!
Ashrifa Ali
Centre for Investigational Proteomics
Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research
London
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