BIOLOGY

YEAR 12

Year 12 Biology students immersed themselves into the world of biotechnology at Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) last week investigating gene cloning techniques used in protein production. Students had the opportunity to do some practical learning to supplement the Year 12 Biology Curriculum.

They performed restriction digests and gel electrophoresis to determine if two genes have been successfully inserted into a plasmid vector. They transform E.coli cells with the recombinant plasmid vector so that they will produce a new protein.