Yonas+Dinkneh

[|] ﻿﻿﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿toc =**Understanding How Proteins are Used in Medicine Creation**= May 4, 2011

__ **Title:** __
I observed several scientists in the Biogen Idec lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This lab focuses on the creation of drugs using proteins and I was able to work in the Analytical Development sector and observe several procedures done to gain information on certain proteins.

__ **Goals:** __
I went into this shadowing process hoping to understand how proteins can be used to create drugs. My interest in the creation of drugs began with my aunt, the one who put the shadowing process together at her company, Biogen Idec. For years, she has brought me to science fairs held by the company and even signed me up for a summer program where students spend a week learning about the main processes of drug creation. The opportunity to take the next step of my journey into the world of drug creation arose when I was able to shadow the actual labs while they were being worked in. Seeing the machinery they used and the fun environment that the scientists were in made me consider this as a serious career choic e.

__ **Discoveries:** ﻿ __
Being in the professional lab setting was intimidating at first but it allowed me to realize how much work is put into the drugs we use everyday. I was surprised to learn that working in a lab can actually be entertaining, depending on who you work with. The lab environment is professional yet can be social and that is something I would love to have in my future place of work. The scientists were kind and helpful and I understood why in class it is important to learn the basics of biology to build an intrest in this important field.

__ **Challenges:** __
The only challenge I faced when trying to complete my project was the planning of the shadow times. Many companies are not accustomed to having teens in their expensive labs and filling out paperwork was necessary to ensure the company was not liable for anything that may happen to me. There was also a rule which disallowed the use of cameras in the lab without certain permission which kept me from being able to take pictures. You must make sure you have all permission filled out before beginning a work experience to ensure maximum productivity.



__ **Looking back:** __
Honestly, the hardest part about the Biology Project is managing time wisely so that you do not rush the paper the days before it is due. By keeping myself on a schedule, I was able to manage my time appropriately and was able to spend enough time on each section of the project. Doing thorough research on your subject is also key because it shows how much you have learned on the topic. The one regret I have from this project is not spending enough time shadowing the scientists that I was with. Because of a miscommunication, I was only allowed to shadow for one day (approx. 9 hours) which limited my amount of information but I made up for that with supplementary research I did on my own.



__ **Project Resources:** __
[|Using videos like this in your presentation help the class understand more about the topic] [|Diagrams also help visually explain things to class]