Biotechnology in the Classroom
As part of the Year 12 ATAR Human Biology course, students study a unit on biotechnology. The girls have just completing DNA profiling using gel electrophoresis kits. This is usually done in specialised forensic labs.Â
In a mock investigation, the girls were provided with a situation where fish meat has been seized from a boat found fishing illegally in Australian waters. The Department for Parks and Wildlife wanted to see if the meat seized contained minke whale, which is a protected species.Â
The girls carried out a DNA profiling technique on the samples seized. Students used micropipettes to dispense a very small sample into the gel, requiring excellent fine motor skills, a skill that needed practise.Â
By looking for matches in the banding patterns of the DNA, they were able to determine that there was evidence of minke meat.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
