Newsletter

Spring 2000: Au Sable Internships

Plant Biochemistry at Kew
By Amy Carlile

From July 5 to Aug. 20, 1999, I represented Au Sable as an intern at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. I worked in the Jodrell Laboratory, which houses Kew's research labs in the areas of molecular systematics, plant anatomy, cytogenetics and biological interactions.

The lab where I interned, biological interactions, deals with the biochemistry of plants. Here, biologically active compounds in plants are identified, isolated and applied in such areas as chemotaxonomy and insect control. The project I was involved with looked at the bioactive compounds present in bulbs of the Amaryllidaceae family. A group of chemicals known as alkaloids was of particular interest due to alkaloids' inherent insecticide properties.

I performed a sequential extraction of several bulb samples, the idea being that different chemical compounds will be soluble in different solvents, thereby allowing the isolation of a specific group of compounds. I then analyzed the fractions on an instrument which produces a scan composed of a series of peaks which indicate the compounds present in the sample. By determining which Amaryllidaceae bulb variety has the most active compounds, one can deduce which will be the most successful in future cultivation.

I also attended the phytochemistry conference, listened to lectures given by the candidates for a new mycology chair position at the gardens and previewed talks that scientists in my lab were giving at conferences in Holland and Ireland.

I participated in tours of the horticultural section of Kew-the gardens and glass houses, the herbarium and Wakehurst place, Kew's satellite garden in Sussex. I enjoyed meeting other interns from all over the world.

My time at Kew was both exciting and a great learning experience. The scientists in my lab were helpful and willing to teach me new concepts and techniques. I enjoyed working in a lab that overlooked the beautiful lily pond and grass garden of Kew. Walking through the gardens after the tourists had gone home was a relaxing way to end the day, taking in the amazing splendor of cultivated creation.

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