GET INTO GENES (BIOTECHNOLOGY) –   DNA MANIPULATION

Year 12, VCE Biology Unit 4

Available: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: Free

Maximum: 30 students

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

This workshop highlights the application of biotechnology in facilitating improvements to dairy cattle and crop production in the Australian environment. Rotating through four hands-on workstations, students get an overview of how technology has evolved from selective breeding through to genetic modification and genomic selection. They gain comprehensive knowledge of DNA manipulation techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis through modelling, setting up reactions and loading real DNA samples for analysis. A simulated experiment where students screen for transgenic plants provides the enriching context to understand the application of these techniques.

Get into Genes – Biotechnology, has been developed to align with Unit 4 Biology, Area of Study 2. This workshop will help students gain the knowledge and data required for ‘A report of a laboratory investigation’ given as one of the  Assessment tasks for Outcome 2. Additional student notes and teacher guide for School Assessed Coursework (SAC) are provided on request.

Please contact the Education Officer for additional resources and SAC activities.