Gareth Robinson, a young microbiologist working at the University of the West of England at Frenchay, visited Westminster yesterday to discuss his work with parliamentarians.  Gareth was taking part in a competition and reception which involved presentations by over 100 young scientists and technologists from all parts of the UK.  The occasion was supported by the Medical Research Council, the Biological Sciences Research Council and the British Pharmaceutical Industry.  There was a prize of £5,000 for the best poster, a prize of £2,500 for the runner up and 11 commendations, each with a prize of £500.

Gareth’s poster described his work with a bioluminescent strain of the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis used to monitor blood-brain barrier penetration.  The passage of molecules and microbes between the blood and the brain is a feature of a number of human disease conditions – not least meningitis –and Gareth’s model will be useful in studying some of these conditions.

Doug Naysmith, the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West (which includes both UWE and Patchway, where Gareth lives) visited the reception and viewed Gareth’s poster.

Doug Naysmith, who was himself a medical scientist before he became an MP, said “I am very impressed with Gareth’s work and recognise its potential usefulness for further studies.  It is another example of the high quality science which is taking place at UWE.”

Although Gareth did not win the £5,000 prize, he very much enjoyed his visit and recognized the importance of being able to communicate his work to others.