A workshop that introduces biotechnology to young students. The program involves a series of hand-on activities, students participation, demonstrations, and discussions.
Discovering Biotechnology demonstrates how much biotechnology young students can learn if they simply open their mouths and explore; genes, proteins, enzymes, and microorganisms; the key components of biotechnology.
The key biotechnology molecule that has probably had the most media coverage is DNA (also referred to as genes and genomes) that supplies the blueprint for each individual. To grip your students imagination and introduce them to DNA have them see their very own genome. This exercise allows students to comprehend previously mysterious DNA and its function as the blueprint of life.
The workshop is designed to give each student experience on how DNA is isolated by scientists from tiny amounts of samples, such as cheek cells. Students collect their own cheek cells, which are first broken open in a solution to release proteins and cellular components. Proteins and cellular materials are then removed by the action of a protease, which essentially eats the proteins and releases the genetic material (DNA). The DNA is precipitated with alcohol and visualized as a suspension of long, white strands. For those who are having their first lesson in the molecular framework of life seeing their genes is an exciting experience,
The workshop allows students to study their own proteins, enzymes and bacteria from their mouths. The building blocks of life, the proteins, are identified with a clear, colorful assay. A simple colorimetric assay demonstrates the high activity of protein enzymes present in saliva. Finally, bacterial colonies can be grown on solid agar plates to show the vast numbers of bacteria present in the mouth.
This workshop also demonstrates how a simple inactive piece of DNA springs to life in cellular environment and expresses itself with profound consequences. Finally, the workshop unlocks the mysteries of genetic material. Molecular biology and genetic engineering are important skills used in the scientific world that allow for the modification and manipulation of DNA to generate proteins that have been used as drugs or novel food sources.
The techniques of molecular biology and genetic engineering are crucial tools used in many of today's biotechnology fields, including forensic science and scientific research. This experiment unlocks the mysteries of genetic materials by introducing students to the concepts of genes, transferable DNA (plasmids) and bacteria as living factories for the production of important proteins. Students will understand the relationship between genes and proteins, by transforming a gene, encoding a light emitting protein, into bacteria to produce glowing green bacteria (see figure). In addition to expressing the light emitting protein, the trait for drug resistance is also conferred on the bacteria, allowing students to learn about antibiotic selection.