The four budding scientists, and one teacher, were among 60 year 10 and 11 students from regional Victoria to explore parts of the university and learn more about the Access Melbourne scheme which provides assistance to rural students to gain entry to undergraduate courses at the university.

Melbourne University Department of Physiology head Professor Matthew Watt asked the group to think about the science behind what creates, sustains and threatens people's lives in Australia and beyond.

The School of Biomedical Sciences, Gene Technology Access Centre, Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, and the Virtual Reality Learning Studio were all open for the students to experience how technology is used to study the human body.

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Students worked alongside researchers in the GTAC laboratories to photograph specimens using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes.

Biological processes, 3D printing to replace bones, new tools for cancer treatments and new vaccines all came under the microscope.

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