Working at FCL: a visiting student's perspective

Working at FCL: a visiting student's perspective
Visiting student Talitha and our founder Michael in the lab!

Just before the winter break at Full Circle Labs, we had Talitha Van Beek shadow our team for a few days.

Talitha is a keen undergraduate student studying Biochemistry at the University of Warwick who is particularly interested in studying how to use Synthetic Biology to combat antibacterial resistance. She first encountered Full Circle Labs through our sponsorship of her iGEM team (Team BEACON), which worked on designing bacteria able to scavenge for lanthanide ions for electronic waste recycling.

Here are Talitha's thoughts on her experience:

Work Shadowing at Full Circle Labs: A Behind-the-Scenes Experience

Collaborating with Full Circle Labs was a positive experience for my iGEM team at the University of Warwick (Team BEACON). Full Circle Labs generously sponsored us by providing free sequencing, which played a pivotal role in our success. Their contribution allowed us to confirm the success of our plasmid engineering, which helped us in the following experiments, securing a gold medal at the iGEM Grand Jamboree.

A Seamless Sequencing Experience

Being based in the Midlands, we were surprised by how quickly we received our sequencing results after redeeming our free sequencing voucher with Full Circle Labs. The efficiency of their services, combined with fast, personalised and friendly email responses, made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. The positive experience left a strong impression on us, but I wanted to learn more about the company behind the outstanding support.

Diving Deeper: Work Shadowing at Full Circle Labs

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to do work shadowing at Full Circle Labs, getting a closer look at their operations. What stood out immediately was their strong commitment to sustainability. From recycling lab waste like Falcon tubes to fostering an eco-conscious mindset, the company takes meaningful steps to minimise its environmental impact.
Their workplace culture is equally commendable. The environment is not only flexible and collaborative, but also focused on continuous learning—a space where employees can thrive. It was inspiring to see how this ethos translates into their daily practices.

Witnessing Nanopore Sequencing in Action

One of the highlights of my time at Full Circle Labs was seeing nanopore sequencing in action. This technology is both efficient and revolutionary and has the potential to drive innovation across the life sciences. Watching it firsthand was a reminder of how cutting-edge technology can make a real-world impact.

Final Thoughts

My experience at Full Circle Labs reinforced my appreciation for their role not only as a sequencing service provider but also as a forward-thinking, sustainable, and people-focused business. From supporting our iGEM project to welcoming me into their workplace, Full Circle Labs has truly made a lasting impression.
For anyone considering work shadowing or looking to partner with an innovative biotech company, I can’t recommend Full Circle Labs enough.

If you're interested in sequencing, science or synthetic biology, get in touch at contact@fullcirclelabs.bio.