Bend+Research+Review-+Merissa


 * Bend Research Review- Merissa**

The field trip that my Organic chemistry class took to Bend Research Inc. was very interesting and informative. We were able to view all the immensely expensive lab equipment and learn about how the intricate machines work. The NMR machine was very large and the explanation of how it worked regarding adding very cold liquid nitrogen and the constant magnetic field within it was very interesting.

I had never realized that such ingredients as wax and other things that are not the actual drug are in pills but are still necessary. Another interesting part of the trip was learning how the researchers test the pills and drugs by simulating a stomach in either a large tub or small capsule. I was able to see and understand the workings of the larger tubs that contained the characteristics of a stomach and all of the acids inside it, but the small capsules that were no more 1 1/2 inches tall that performed the same function fascinated me to the point where it was hard to fathom both of these things performing the same functions. The information of how the capsules ‘swell’ when they release the medicine was interesting. It was also fascinating to think that it is possible to give a dosage in one day that normally takes up to 7 days to administer, and how BRI participated in creating drugs and dosages like this for sick and suffering people in another country.

The fact that the researchers are required to put so much time into experimenting with how various drugs will react in different parts of the body and how the pills containing the drugs need to be modified so that they will reach and break down in one area of the body instead of another was also interesting. It was amazing to find out that in order to make and test a drug so that it is safe for public use takes years of work and research. This fact seemed a bit saddening because it is a painstaking and time consuming process to make new drugs but also at the same time this time frame shows that a particular drug has been tested and hopefully experimented with enough so that it is not harmful to the public. I did notice that most of the researchers working there came across as people who enjoyed their work and were very enthusiastic to teach and convey what they do at BRI to my class. They conveyed that working in a lab is full of uncertainty and exploration. To me, that aspect was the most appealing; by only having predictions and a hypothesis behind their work, it makes it all the more interesting and addicting to study in a research lab.

I was most impressed with the fact that most of the employees that work at BRI are familiar with much of the chemistry that we have been learning in the classroom. They were able to take most of the topics that we have learned over the time frame of a few months (such as the different types of NMR) and discussed how they use them daily to aid with different experiments. It was interesting to begin to see that with enough lab experience, it is possible to gain a great understanding of the various topics and techniques used in chemistry and apply it to research.

It's great to hear that you had such a good time. Among the things I hear the most about from students are several things you mention: the impressive instruments, the real-life picture of how problem solving enters into their business, and the positive energy among the staff at the lab. They ARE happy to see you, and they DO work with the ideas we talk about in class.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments!