A level biologists explore the frontiers of ophthalmology

Our A level biology students swapped the classroom for a world-class laboratory when they visited the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

The group was hosted by Professor Marcus Fruttiger, a leading neuroscientist whose pioneering research focuses on the blood vessels of the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). Professor Fruttiger’s work is critical in understanding how vascular changes contribute to vision loss and diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

The day began with an engaging lecture from Professor Fruttiger, bridging the gap between textbook theory and real-world science. Students explored advanced eye biology and evolution, tracing how complex optical structures developed over millions of years.

Following the lecture, the students went behind the scenes for an exclusive tour of the Institute’s state-of-the-art facilities, getting hands-on experience with techniques most scientists do not encounter until university:

• Electron Microscopy in Action: Students saw both TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) at work. They marvelled at the difference between seeing through ultra-thin cell structures via TEM versus viewing the highly detailed, 3D surface textures of eye tissues via SEM.

• Tissue Culture Passaging: The group observed the delicate process of passaging (splitting and transferring) living cells in vitro, learning how researchers maintain cell lines to study eye diseases without testing on living subjects.

• The Microtome Challenge: In a true highlight of the trip, students were given the opportunity to prepare real human eye samples using a microtome—a precision instrument that slices tissue into sections thinner than a single hair so they can be viewed under a microscope.

This immersive experience offered our students an invaluable glimpse into clinical research and the diverse career paths available in biomedical science.  A huge thank you to Professor Fruttiger and the UCL team for inspiring the next generation of scientists, and for their incredibly generous donation of a powerful fluorescence light microscope to our school. This exceptional piece of laboratory equipment will undoubtedly bring the A-Level Biology curriculum to life for years to come!