2010 Thermocycler DNA Biotechnology Lab Initiative
Park Center has won a District 279 Foundation grant thanks to Colin Kemmis. The award for this grant was $2945. The prize money will be used towards new biology equipment to be used in a Thermocycler DNA Lab next year and to also help keep up to date with technological advances in order for biology students to learn the new and most modern methods.
What:
In the Lab, students will collect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a DNA that doesn't control any genes, then amplify mtDNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a way to copy DNA (seen to the left). The students will then test for successful mtDNA extraction by using gel electrophoresis (seen below) by separating the DNA, then they will submit successful target mtDNA extractions for sequencing. Then students will analyze class sequencing data, compare evolutionary history of mtDNA within humans and other homo and primate species, and analyze the use of molecular clocks and human origin theories.The DNA will be extracted from the mitochondria, which generates a majority of the cell's energy. There is no need to worry though because the mitochondria is from a non-coding region (no genes) and it is common to all humans therefore there are no ethical or legal issues because no genes are involved in this mtDNA region and the procedure is bloodless. Interestingly, most humans have 7-8 mutations in the mitochondrial region.
Why:
The International Baccalaureate (IB) has a very intense lab regimen, similar to or exceeding an AP or other college prep course. This lab sequence requires higher technology than a regular biology class so additional expenses are needed, even greater than other IB funding sources initially contemplated. After teaching the IB Biology courses for a year or two and meeting with other IB teachers in Minnesota, PC biology teachers further understand the need for additional biotechnology in the coursework. This technology can also be shared with all the 10th grade Biology classes to increase the lab performance throughout the school.Since the biology industry is continually developing, PCHS needs to update itself to keep the Biology lab program rela.vent. One part of keeping up with this growth is adding new biotechnology equipment, procedures, and labs. Paper and pencil “labs” are not enough to keep up with the top schools and students. To be successful in the Biology world of 2010 Park Center needs to generate high-quality DNA and PCR instruction and lab techniques. The stakes are higher and the technology ever increasing. Without the new PCR machine our students will be left in the dark about the strong DNA technological advances in the past 20 years.
