Poems by Roslin scientists about our research on viruses, chickens, bees, genome sequencing and more for World Poetry Day. To celebrate World Poetry Day, scientists at The Roslin Institute have written a series of poems about research conducted at the Institute. For further information about this work, please refer to the “Related links” section at the bottom of this page. A mega virus Image In our lab there is quite a bias, Against cytomegalovirus. “Cyto” means cell, And “mega,” big as hell, This massive disease does inspire us! Image It hurts kids by foetal infection, And causes organ rejection. With disease in spades, Like sight loss in AIDS, You will understand our objection! - By Alex Brown The genetics of bird flu Image There was a young chicken named Stu Who really did not want the flu So I study his genes To see what it means When compared to his ducky friend, Hugh - By Dr Jacqueline Smith One side female and one side male Image There once was a chicken named Sam, Who appeared half-cock and half-hen! This gynandromorphy Is certainly worthy, Of in depth study at Roslin! The determination of sex, In chickens, is rather complex! Not just hormonal, Nor chromosomal, It seems there’s some local effects! - By Alex Brown Genome sequencing Image It’s a metaphor, you see. A pig or a chicken or a human is a sequence, is a code-script, is a four-dimensional unfolding thing, is itself and no-one else. It’s complicated, we say, (apologetical) and keep turning, new page, new cipher. - By Dr Martin Johnsson Bee health Image There was infectious disease Adding to the death of bees! With Institute hives, And work 9-to-5, We might put the Queen at ease! - By Alex Brown Related links New study identifies key molecule for virus replication Gene study set to investigate how flu jumps species Dr Jacqueline Smith on the genetics of birds A new high quality reference genome for water buffalo Gene study boosts bid to keep British bees safe from disease
