GET INTO GENES– DNA, GENES and CHROMOSOMES

Years 9 and 10, General Science

Available: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: Free

Maximum: 30 students

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

This workshop highlights the application of biotechnology to selective breeding in the agricultural industry.

Rotating through four hands-on workstations, students extract DNA and gain experience of techniques such as restriction enzyme analysis and gel electrophoresis. They understand how these modern genetic engineering tools are being used by Australian scientists and researchers to breed farm animals and crops better suited to the changing environment. Students work through examples of selective breeding, using phenotype and genotype data for both plants and animals.

The four stations are

• How Now Dairy Cow
• Get it Out ( DNA extraction)
• Using Molecular Scissors ( simulated Restriction Enzyme Activity)
• Gel Electrophoresis

The session concludes with a discussion of genetic engineering technologies, giving practical and relevant examples of current research being undertaken by DairyBio, DEDJTR and the Centre of Excellence for Plant Cell Walls.