Year 12 Biology 

Have you ever looked at those pictures of glow in the dark rats and wondered how they managed to do that? The answer is gene editing! Our Year 12 Biology Students had the opportunity to visit Knox Innovation Opportunity & Sustainability Centre (KIOSC) at Swinburne University, where they participated in a number of Laboratory procedures to cut genes out of bacterial plasmids, and insert different types of genes such as fluorescence, ampicillin and insulin genes into bacteria. The end result? Insulin producing and antibiotic resisting superbacteria that are fluorescent! You may ask yourself, what is the purpose of making these and how does it point to a redemptive purpose? The experience was enriching and deepened student understanding of gene editing technology and how it can be used to bring healing and restoration to human lives. In actual fact, these are the same types of bacterial plasmids that are involved in the commercial production of human insulin, a life saving medication for diabetics all around the world. 

Duc Tran​​​​ ​

Secondary Teacher