Tag: Science

Providing Effective Feedback to Lab Trainees and Students

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There’s something that underpins not just excellent training but excellent laboratories too; it’s the staff. But understanding how we take a trainee from their early days at university or initial days as a qualified Biomedical Scientist through to becoming a confident and competent Biomedical Scientist is a complex process.

At the heart of that process lies feedback. How we give it, when we give it, and the culture that surrounds it. Training isn’t just about ticking boxes or signing off competencies it’s about creating an environment where people grow. Feedback is the fuel for that growth.

So whether you’re a training officer, a laboratory manager, or a BMS in training yourself, I want this article to serve as a reflection on how we can do feedback better.

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The Science Behind Sickle Cell: From SNP to Sickling

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Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most well researched and understood genetic blood disorders. Despite this, its impact is profound both clinically and socially. At its core lies a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), just one nucleotide change is all that’s required for such significant downstream effects ranging from red cell morphological changes to global health schemes. This post takes a walk through that journey from the SNP through to the sickling and how such a small change can lead to such a big problem.

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Interpreting IG flags on the Sysmex XN: A Biomedical Scientist’s Practical Guide

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Immature Granulocyte (IG) flags are more than just a numerical threshold they’re an insight into a patient’s underlying immune response. Whether you’re new to blood film review or an experienced BMS refreshing your practice, this guide will walk you through how to approach samples flagged for IG review, how to decide if a manual differential white cell count (DWCC) is needed, and how to interpret what you see on the slide.

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COVID-19: The Perfect Time For a New Job?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought surprises and difficulties for many of us. Adjusting to the new rules and regulations which guide our daily routines has taken some getting used to. Dealing with all of this has thrown a spanner in the works that nobody imagined we would be contending with at all, never mind still wrestling with as we progress through the beginning months of 2021. It has for me however, also provided a new job and with it a unique opportunity to train and grow as a scientist amid the pandemic.

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The COVID Herd Immunity Strategy

For almost everyone currently not in hibernation, COVID-19 is without a doubt the most discussed and apparently controversial topic on the go. From social media to the political discussions of Westminster, everyone is having their say. Regardless of position, what it is, is prime opportunity to witness science in action. I’d like to spend some time picking apart the idea that herd immunity is the best strategy moving ahead.

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The Update!

I’ve had some free time recently away from everything. Specifically I spent a couple of weeks on holiday in the obviously sunny and ever prospering midlands of England. That being said I have now arrived slap bang into my final year of university. I use the phrase “slap bang” for a reason. It’s only day four and already I’ve been busy. But with what?

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The Haematology Laboratory

In my previous post I provided an overview of my time on placement. What I’d like to do with this post, is give a little more insight into the on goings of the haematology laboratory, the sections within it that a biomedical scientist can work in and what goes on in these sections.

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The Placement Year

As I mentioned in previous posts, there are a number of criteria that must be met in order to attain registration as a biomedical scientist. Today I will be discussing the placement year. Details of what went on during my placement year, how I coped and what I felt like throughout the year.

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Bacteria Turning Type A/B blood into Type O

So, I had other plans for what my first scientific based post was going to be. However, as you may have noticed. The scientific community has rather obsessively purported this story around the globe. As a scientific blogger and specifically as the “Blood Geek” I really think I should make comment on this article and explain to you all what the fuss is all about and whether it is, everything it’s cracked up to be.

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Where’s all the science?

Eh, Blood Geek? I came here for some high quality science and I’ve seen none yet. What are you doing?

So you’re still here so far. Perhaps you’ve only just stumbled here and you’re wondering to yourself. Where is all the science? Well I’m here to answer that question for you and I’m writing a whole post about it because I want to leave my readers without a doubt in their minds as to the direction of this blog.

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