Trip to GSK

We were herded into a seminar room and attended a brief but engaging introductory presentation, during which we were exposed to many of GSK's products, including some innovative and interesting ones like Ribena and Horlicks. Additionally, we were given a more comprehensive understanding of GSK as a whole and its significance in many major fields today. 

During the trip, I managed to learn about how certain chemicals are mass-produced, with the help of highly-automated, large-scale, extremely sophisticated equipment, like dryers and reaction vessels. The process involves production starting from small-scale research in the laboratory. Successfully synthesised molecules with desirable physical properties are then mass-produced in the manufacturing plants. In this way, there is a gradual scaling-up of production depending on the success of the product. 

I also managed to learn about how design and procedures are used to optimise the manufacturing process. In order to maintain maximum efficiency, the equipment runs 24 hours a day, with workers coming in on shifts to supervise. To maintain a controlled environment, there are also several precautions in place, such as insulated piping, a device to mix the products to ensure uniform drying within the dryer. Also, the inside of the reaction chamber is coated with glass to prevent acids from reacting with the metal. However, this glass coat is in turn vulnerable to reaction with bases, so that is another precaution to be noted.

For my part, I found the trip quite enjoyable as well, and I enjoyed the plant tour as I had opportunities to learn more about the manufacturing process. 

I found this trip to be extremely enlightening, and I look forward to similar experiences in the future. 

Trip to LifeTech

The day started off with an interesting introductory presentation, during which we were exposed to many of Life Tech's products, including some innovative and interesting ones like laboratory equipment involved in DNA sequencing and analysis. Additionally, we were given a more comprehensive understanding of Life Tech as a whole and its significance in many major fields today. 

During the trip, I managed to learn about how DNA is sequenced and analysed, namely by the processes of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis respectively. I learnt that PCR involves using DNA polymerase and primers to replicate strands of DNA and mass-produce the specific gene of interest. Subsequently, it is analysed with gel electrophoresis, which works like a chromatography and can separate DNA strands by mass, allowing for easy identification of the gene and also to confirm that the gene of interest has successfully been amplified. I also learnt about the applications of DNA sequencing, such as in targeted drug therapies

I also managed to learn about how the above is done in a laboratory, and several of the lab processes involved in DNA sequencing. For example, I was made aware of the distinction between the conventional PCR (cPCR) machine and the real-time PCR (RT-PCR) machine. The cPCR machine is smaller, cheaper and more portable, while the RT-PCR gives the added function of being able to provide instantaneous feedback regarding the amplification of the gene. I also learnt how to do a PCR and subsequent gel electrophoresis by myself, as well as the safety precautions in doing so. 

For my part, I found the trip quite enjoyable as well, and I enjoyed discovering that Life Tech had its own Youtube channel. I even memorised one of the songs there before the trip - "Ph. Diva and the Mystery Band" - and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was relevant to the content I learnt that day. In fact, I was singing the song under my breath for almost the whole duration of the trip, such was my fascination. 

This trip was very informative, and I look forward to similar experiences in the future. 

Trip to 3M

The day started early for us. We were herded into a seminar room and attended a brief but engaging introductory presentation, during which we were exposed to many of 3M's products, including some innovative and interesting ones like waterproof bandages. Additionally, we were given a more comprehensive understanding of 3M as a whole and its significance in 46 major fields today. 

During the trip, I managed to learn about how innovative design can be applied even in a factory setting. For example, I noticed the use of a sloped roof on top of the lockers in the factory, which would prevent accumulation of dirt and rubbish on top of the lockers that is often seen in other places. I felt this was quite interesting and it was a novelty to me, a simple example of innovation to solve a simple problem. The solution was not overly complicated, but effective nonetheless, and I feel that this is a valuable lesson indeed. 

I also managed to learn about how design, procedure and maintenance combine in creating a high-standard operating environment, namely the clean room. All of the structural and procedural features related to the "clean room" were targeted at maintaining an optimal air quality to ensure the best possible environment in which to develop the products. Maintenance is done as a back-up, to ensure that nothing is amiss. I felt that this multi-pronged approach to achieving a goal, which involves applying several strategies at the same time, is also worth learning from. 

For my part, I found the trip quite enjoyable as well, and I enjoyed the plant tour as it was very illuminating and gave me an idea of a standard factory setting in large global firms like 3M. 

I found this trip to be extremely enlightening, and I look forward to similar experiences in the future.