All the students studying biology in fifth year and some sixth years got to participate before the Easter break in a very exciting initiative organised by DCU! It was the Amgen Biotech Experience! This wonderful experience was run by Systems Biology Ireland (University College Dublin) and Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (Dublin City University) and is funded by Amgen, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. As a result of the biology teachers attending an engaging and informative training workshop, they were able to access professional grade, high-tech scientific equipment that they borrowed from DCU.
Students got to experience two main cutting-edge research methods/skills in the classroom that have real life applications.
1. Micro-pipetting Dye onto Filter Paper: Students carried out the technique of micro-pipetting. The students practiced using micropipettes to deliver different volumes of either a red dye or blue dye onto a filter-paper exercise.
2. DNA Profiling and DNA Gel Electrophoresis: For this exercise, the students were required to work in big groups of eight to undertake a forensic analysis investigation where they analysed samples of DNA taken from a fictional crime scene of a burglary to determine who had carried out the illegal act! The students loaded their DNA samples onto an electrophoresis gel in order to compare the DNA samples of all the suspects of the crime with the DNA sample collected from the crime scene.
The aforementioned experience was absolutely fantastic for the students as it coincided with the genetics theory that was being taught to them. Value was added to the class as students were excited to learn the new techniques and to use very expensive laboratory equipment! They got the opportunity to have hands-on experience of the techniques which they study as part of their Leaving Cert course.
