Humfrey Malins

Institute for Animal Health teams up with local Woking MP Humfrey Malins for a look behind the scenes

Scientists and MPs discovered more about each other’s professions when Woking MP Humfrey Malins CBE visited Dr David Schley at the Institute for Animal Health in Pirbright on Wednesday20th February as part of a unique ‘pairing’ scheme run by the Royal Society – the UK’s national academy of science.
During his visit Mr Malins was able to witness scientific research in action, as well as experiencing the Institute’s strict biosecurity procedures first hand.  This involved a training brief, a complete change of special clothing and having to ‘shower out’ when leaving the restricted area in which exotic animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth, bluetongue and rinderpest are handled.
Mr Malins was given the opportunity to use the latest laser microdissection microscopy (LMD) equipment to assist in removing specific cell types from tissue samples.  This work is important for understanding how viruses replicate and sometimes persist in animals long after all symptoms have disappeared.  Collaboration between experimental and theoretical scientists at the IAH has recently resulted in the application of mathematical modelling to help understand this process.  Dr Schley was also able to show the MP other applications of mathematics for disease control, including risk prediction and the development of control strategies.
Mr Malins MP said: “I have had a fascinating day at the Institute and been enthralled by the important scientific work that goes on here.  I have been very impressed by the absolute commitment to biosecurity and safety.  I intend to continue to do all I can to persuade the Government to commit to the long term future of Pirbright.”
“I am very pleased that our MP has had the opportunity to see how scientists go about obtaining the results we do”: said Dr Schley.  “I think it is incredibly important that politicians appreciate the value of evidence-based conclusions, and can contrast credible research against dogma or unproven opinion.”
In November Dr Schley spent a week at the House of Commons getting a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into how science policy is formed as well as an understanding of the working life of an MP, and recently accompanied Mr Malins around Woking on his constituency work.
Dr Schley said: “My respect for MPs and the work they do has definitely increased.  Above all they have to juggle a massive amount of information and make important decisions quickly.  There is clearly a role for scientists to ensure that decision makers receive the most accurate and reliable information available at all times.”