Lighting it up

Year 12 Biology

This term Year 12 Biology students have been learning about how genetic information can be changed. In Week 5, students created transgenic bacteria that can glow in the dark through the Amgen Biotechnology Experience and The University of Sydney. Students have used technology and techniques rarely available in schools, generously provided by Amgen. 

We are pleased to say it has sparked an interest in genetics and biotechnology in many students as a possible career.

Earlier this term, Year 12 Biology took part in the AMGEN Biotech Experience run thanks to the University of Sydney. We were given the opportunity to apply genetic engineering at school and apply micro-pipetting, gel electrophoresis, and PCR to create fluorescent bacteria containing a gene from a sea anemone.

Throughout the incursion, we were able to explore the practical use of biotechnology and the reconfiguring of recombinant DNA in everyday life, particularly in creating vital pharmaceuticals such as insulin.

This was a great opportunity to practically apply the content learnt in class and link our learning to real-world applications of genetic engineering and its impact on society. 

Being able to use such advanced equipment was an exciting chance to immerse ourselves in our studies as well as expose us to tertiary-level biology and biotechnology careers.

This term Year 12 Biology students have been learning about how genetic information can be changed. In Week 5 students created transgenic bacteria that can glow in the dark through the Amgen Biotechnology Experience and The University of Sydney. Students have used technology and techniques rarely available in schools, generously provided by Amgen. We are pleased to say it has sparked an interest in genetics and biotechnology in many students as a possible career.

Matt Clough, James Chandler & Kim Hoang

Science Teachers

Thank you!

A massive thank you to our biology teachers Mr Clough, Ms Hoang, and Mr Chandler for making this incursion possible .

Special thanks to Ms Anne Akeed and Ms Rosetta Arena who helped prepare the equipment and reagents each day at Cecil Hills High School, and Debra Phillips and the team at The University of Sydney for organising equipment and reagents for this experience.

Tiana Tepsa

Vice Captain