Gene Journey
Michelle O'Brien
Teacher - Biology
Year 12 Biology students enjoyed an informative and interactive excursion to the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) this term.
Taking science out of the classroom and into a 'real world' environment is exciting. Visiting destinations such as GTAC helps students to understand the role that science plays in industries within our local and international community, and to see the far-reaching impacts that scientific research brings to the world.
This excursion was directly related to VCE Biology Unit 3 studies, specifically
- the use of enzymes to manipulate DNA, including polymerase to synthesise DNA, ligase to join DNA and endonucleases to cut DNA
- the use of gel electrophoresis in sorting DNA fragments
- the use of recombinant plasmids as vectors to transform bacterial cells as demonstrated by the production of human insulin
Prior to visiting GTAC, the students completed a pre-course program in preparation. This included learning how endonucleases and plasmid maps are used to construct recombinant plasmids, and how therapeutic insulin is produced using gene manipulation techniques.
Once on site at GTAC, the students put their theoretical knowledge into action. Gel electrophoreses was conducted to differentiate between recombinant plasmids and non-recombinant plasmids. Bacteria were transformed into generically modified organisms (GMOs) and plated out onto growth media. These experimental samples were then observed over the following days to identify whether or not the experiments had been successful.
The experiments did work!
Enlarge this picture and you will see that the plate on the left has no bacterial growth on it because it contains the antibiotic ampicillin. The plate on the right shows transformed bacteria which contain genes for ampicillin resistance - this has allowed the bacteria to grow in the presence of ampicillin.
As the GTAC program is led by practising scientists, our students were also able to engage with directly with them. Many students seized on this opportunity to ask questions about the scientists' learning and career pathways, their motivations for pursuing a career in science, and their level of job engagement and satisfaction. For students considering a career in science, speaking to an expert in the field provides first-hand feedback and information that they can 'put in the bank'. Going forward, students can draw on this experience to inform their own career choices.
Abbi Kelly
Year 11
The GTAC excursion allowed us to apply the concepts we had learnt in class to a lab context with the help of scientists who are involved in interesting medical research. We were able to explore part of the process of human insulin production by transforming E. coli bacteria with recombinant plasmids containing desired genes. It was a really beneficial activity to improve my understanding of these microbiological processes.
Tristan Buot
Year 11
It was really cool to do actual science things we learnt in class, and was able to work with real scientists dealing with real world problems. We worked with really tiny things like inserting 20 MICRO litres, recombinant plasmid.
Sean McK
Sean McK
Sean McKenzie
Year 12
It was nice to work in a real lab environment and put renominate plasmids into bacteria.
Tameka B
Tameka B
Tameka Brown
Year 11
The GTAC excursion was a great way to better develop my understanding of the content we have been learning in class and it was really cool to see how the concepts we have learnt in class can be applied to a proper lab setting.
Alex R
Alex R
Alexander Rawlinson
Year 11
A riveting and interactive educational experience.