Lessons from the Flock
Third-year TWU science major, Johannes Dworzak, looks like an old pro as he works in the Neova Technologies Inc. R&D Bioprotection Laboratory in Abbotsford, BC. Wearing a white lab coat and safety glasses, he blends in easily with the rest of the scientists, except for the red “co-op” lettering on his coat. Filling bottles with a liquid medium, the German born Dworzak has been interning one day a week at the lab for the last couple of months.
Dworzak is one of many students in TWU’s biotechnology department who is able to combine real-world experience with classroom work.
“We currently partner with professionals at Canadian life sciences companies, government organizations, hospitals, and universities to provide intern and co-op placements for TWU students,” says Assistant Professor of Biology and Director of Biotechnology, Julia Mills, Ph.D. “We are committed to advancing our students’ professional development by enabling them to gain practical skills in a work setting of their choice.”
At Neova, Dworzak has an opportunity to work on significant research. Senior Scientist at Neova, John Zhang, has been leading a team of researchers and conducting field trials to see if a naturally occurring protein called lysozyme found in egg whites can be a natural substitute to chemical antibiotics often fed to chickens. If the trials prove successful, Neova’s findings may change the way chicken farming is done.
Chickens are often susceptible to a disease called necrotic enteritis, a bacterial infection that targets their intestinal track. Says Zhang, “Raising chickens today is a very intense production - unlike 50 years ago, when it was a free range setting. The chickens are under a lot of stress and get sick easily. And without antibiotics in the feed, the mortality rate from disease can be as high as 35 per cent.”
For farmers and consumers, finding a way to produce healthy chickens and still make the end product affordable is important.
Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) states they are, “Actively supporting research into alternatives and the judicious use of antibiotics, with a goal to reducing overall antibiotic use. We are also supporting the efforts of researchers who are requesting the ability to import alternative products for research purposes, so that we can examine new methods to reduce antimicrobial usage.”
When asked how it feels to have exposure to important research like the lysozyme project, Dworzak says, “It creates a lot of meaning to think that my work could help improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Zhang says, “It’s very important to have a co-op student in the process. Students are creative and always offer ideas, and in turn, we help a student immensely by preparing them with hands-on lab experience and real work experience.” Zhang shares that Neova has also taken co-op students from UBC, SFU, and UVIC.
As his co-op placement comes to an end, Dworzak comments on his experience. “I have learned that I don’t have to be afraid of working in a ‘real’ lab. By that I mean, I don’t have to have everything figured out down to a dot in my field of study. You actually learn most things better hands-on while working in the lab instead of in the classroom.”
More information on the Biotechnology major can be found at twu.ca/biotechnology
by Erin Mussolum '95
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