Ore Fakeye
PIPS Host Organisation: Metrion Biosciences
Project Title: Validating an Internal Cell Line Using Manual Patch Clamp, Automated Patch Clamp, and a Fluorescence-Based System

During Ore Fakeye’s placement at Metrion Biosciences, a company specialising in ion channel biology, he had the opportunity to join the preclinical, business development, and science communication teams. Metrion Biosciences generates cell lines that express ion channels and tests client compounds on them, which can involve testing for unwanted interactions with cardiac ion channels or evaluating the efficacy of potential drugs on ion channels implicated in disease.

Before Ore’s placement, the company generated a new cell line expressing an ion channel that may be implicated in neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. His project confirmed that this cell line behaved as predicted in the literature and identified some compounds that could interact with it. Initially, Ore used manual whole-cell patch clamp, a technique familiar from his PhD, applying it to a completely different system. He then used two different systems designed for high throughput screening, the FLIPR and the Qube. This experience highlighted how technology can facilitate high throughput experiments crucial in pharmaceutical drug discovery, while also revealing the limitations of these technologies, such as less precise readouts compared to manual experiments and the high cost of running these machines.

During the placement, Ore had the opportunity to talk to the senior management of the company, including the CEO, CSO, and the heads of neuroscience and operations. This allowed him to gain insights into their roles and receive advice about a career as a scientist in the industry. He was exposed to scientists performing various roles within the company, from lab work to other business functions. Ore also attended company meetings, gaining insight into the thinking and priorities of a company of their stature.

Ore is most proud of generating a dataset that the company could present to potential clients, showcasing his contribution to the company’s projects.