Year 12 Biologists manipulate DNA as part of Biology Week!

Year 12 Biologists use Amgen DNA equipment to learn how to manipulate and visualise plasmid DNA.

On Tuesday 11th October, as part of Biology week, we spent the morning learning lots of new techniques for manipulating plasmid DNA using equipment from Amgen and the University of Hertfordshire. We opened up plasmid DNA, which is normally circular, using a restriction digest. We then ligated the red fluorescent protein gene into the plasmid. We placed our ligated DNA in agarose gels to visualise the results. It was very technical but great fun. We were able to use micropipettes, microcentrifuges and electrophoresis apparatus, developing our practical skills and our understanding of genetic engineering. Thank you to the Amgen Biotech experience and the University of Hertfordshire for making this possible. http://www.amgenbiotechexperience.com.

Mahi Jani