Biology Excursion

Unit 3 and 4 Biology students went on an excursion to Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) in Parkville, Victoria, as part of the biotechnology curriculum. They explored how gene cloning techniques are applied to produce human insulin to treat diabetes.

STEM coaches, PhD students from University of Melbourne, guided students to performed gel electrophoresis and then transformed bacteria. They also identified cultures which have taken up the recombinant plasmids.

Our students were also given the opportunity to use fluorescence microscopy to look at bacteria that have been transformed with the recombinant plasmids.

-Shamila Rajartne

Tarneit Senior College Teacher