The Future is in Our Genes
Using Bio-Rad to set up a
Biotechnology Program
Inspire your students – tomorrow’s researchers
STAM Winnipeg October 25, 2013
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Bio-Rad (Canada) Life Science
Education – Biotechnology
Explorer Consultant
Bob Malyk BSc. MEd.
Senior Biology Teacher (retired)
Ridley College
St. Catharines, Ontario
biobob4@hotmail.com
The Future is
in Our
Genes
“不闻不若闻之
闻之不若见之
见之不若知之
知之不若行之
学至于行之而止矣”
I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand
A world of discovery and research
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Curriculum Objectives
The Future is
in Our
Genes
• Biology is truly relevant and ALIVE!!
• Biology is ever changing, up-to-date,
and research oriented
• Experience Biology on the cutting
edge giving students the competitive
edge
• Place Biology in a real world scenario
• Impart to students your enthusiasm for
new ideas and procedures
• Realize that after a few or many years
of teaching, YOUR passion is ever
alive and fertile.
• Learning is an ongoing process that is
constantly being updated.
An opportunity to teach science in a way that
results in
The Future is
in Our
Genes
• Science literacy
• Technological skills
• Career awareness
• Critical thinking
• Student engagement
Students see the direct application of
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physical science
• Math
Students learn
• Work ethics
• Team work and collaboration skills
• Communication skills
• Technical writing
• Laboratory techniques
What type of program are you
interested in?
Things to consider
before starting a
Biotechnology
Program
1. Add activities to present curriculum
2. Start a new course in the science
department
• Semester
• Year
3. Academy/Pathway
• CTE Program
• Project/Problem based
• 1 – 4 years
What kind of course/program are you
looking to start?
Things to consider
before starting a
Biotechnology
Program
• Technical
• Basic science
• Manufacturing/career based/skills based (CTE)
Who is your target student population?
• High School
• Tech Prep
• College/Entry level training
Duration?
• One semester
• one year
• two years
• Pathway
• Program
Partnerships
Create an advisory board to help develop your program:
Who can I ask for advice?
…you are
not alone
Partner with other educators and schools and programs:
Who is in my region?
•
•
•
•
Fellow Biology instructors (NABT, Provincial
science organizations)
Community College
Universities
Local industry
Partner with local industry and potential internship sites
•
•
•
•
•
Pharmaceutical R&D
Manufacturing R&D
Government Funded Agencies
Academic labs/Medical Facilities
MaRS, OGI, Forensic Science Center
What curriculum will you use?
Developing
curriculum
Existing curriculum?
Modeled after another program?
• AP Biology
• IB Biology
• Kirk Brown website (www.jkirkbrown.com)
• George Cachianes
www.lincolnhigh.net/academy/biotech/overvieww)
Build your own Combo
Focus of the Course
Developing
curriculum
• Textbook based course
• Lab based course
• Independent projects
• Combination
Possible tools to implement to help your
students
• Specific skills
• Independent research
• Internships (summer or school-year)
• Job shadowing opportunities
Developing
curriculum
What knowledge and skills do I want my
students to have?
Examples
• Learn to use equipment safely and
appropriately
• Learn sterile technique
• Know how to make solutions
• Keep a lab notebook
• Know structure and function of DNA
• Know how to manipulate DNA
• Understand enzyme structure and function
Can I give my students the skills and
knowledge to apply for a lab technical job in
university while doing their undergraduate
studies?
The Future is
in Our
Genes
DNA Barcoding
Equipment
The Future is
in Our
Genes
• What equipment do I have
• What equipment do I need?
• What is my budget?
Year to Year Growth Plan:
What equipment will allow
you to grow your program with time?
Think long-term
Year 1, 2, 3 …
Why Bio-Rad?
The Future is
in Our
Genes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Links classroom to real-world science
Inquiry-based
Tangible striking results!!
Aligned with standards
- Reinforce the structures of the cell
- DNA structure and function
- Enzyme function
Bio-Rad’s world-class technical support
Cost effective
Raise $$ for science programs
Comprehensive curricula for inquiry-based
investigations
Compatible with 50 minute class periods
Serves entire class of 32 students
Success in student’s hands
Safe
Real research orient
What can you do with your students?
The Future is
in Our
Genes
DNA Self Extraction
pGlo Gene Transformation
pGlo Protein Purification
STEM / IDEA
Forensics (DNA Fingerprinting)
GMO
Genotype Determinations and Allelic
Frequencies
PCR
Proteomics
Bioinformatics
Enzymology
DNA Barcoding
C. elegans Behaviour Study
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Genes in
a Bottle
The Future is
in Our
Genes
pGLO / Ampicillin Resistant
Transformation of E. coli
Localization and regulation of gene
expression using the lac operon
Study of biological processes (example:
synthesis of proteins)
The Future is
in Our
Genes
pGLO™ Bacterial
Transformation and
GFP Purification
The Future is
in Our
Genes
STEM / IDEA
Inquiry dye Electrophoresis Activity
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Independent inquiry opportunities for what dyes are present in
food items, what is the charge of the dyes, can they be
separated based on charge/size?
Buffer with
charged ions
•
Guaranteed to work
•
Easy to prep
•
Cost Effective per student group
•
Easy, inexpensive first exposure to electrophoresis
Molecular
sieve
Electricity
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Forensic DNA Fingerprinting:
Using Restriction Enzymes
GMO
Investigator
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Comparative Proteomics
Protein Profiler Module
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Biofuel Enzyme Kit:
From Grass to Gas – A study of enzymes
The Future is
in Our
Genes
C. Elegans Behaviour Study
The Future is
in Our
Genes
Generate a DNA Barcode and Identify Species
The Future is
in Our
Genes
How do I
lobby for
the $$$?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Obtain 2 Genes in A bottle kits;
Do the protocol with your students;
Generate excitement and interest;
Choose a Friday evening and invite parents and
school board officials;
Run the Genes in a Bottle lab - choose your best
student to do the power point and lead the activity –
have other students as mentors;
After the activity when excitement is at its highest,
have a conversation with your school board official,
do this in front of the parents – point out how cool it
is to have a role reversal (students are the teachers
and the adults are the students) - express the need
for money to start a biotech program in your school
district – the need to put your school region on the
map for exciting research in biotechnology
Ask for $10,000 – break it down: 10 schools + 100
students + 10 years = $1.00 per student!!! How
could they refuse to pay so little of your parent’s tax
dollars for such a powerful educational experience?
This works!!! I have done it and others who have
taken my lead have also succeeded.
Research Quality Equipment
DNA
Electrophoresis
Instructional Lab
Set 2
• 166-0706EDU - $2,946.40
– 120/220 V, lab equipment package, includes
PowerPac Basic power supply, 4 Mini-Sub cell GT
systems, 8 classroom 2–20 µl digital micropipets
Protein Electrophoresis Instructional Lab
Set 2
• 166-0826EDU - $3,302.40
– 120/220 V, lab equipment package, includes
PowerPac Basic power supply, 4 Mini-PROTEAN
Tetra cells, 8 classroom 2–20 µl digital
micropipets
T100
Thermal
cycler
• 186-1096EDU - $2,995.00
– Thermal cycler system, includes 96-well
thermal cycler, power cord, tube support ring
PCR
Instructional
Lab Package
• PCR Instructional Lab Package 166-0765EDU - $10,152.00
– Includes T100™ thermal cycler, PowerPac™ Basic power
supply, 4 Mini-Sub® cell GT electrophoresis cells, 1 water
bath, 9 classroom 2–20 µl digital micropipets, 1
classroom 20–200 µl digital micropipet, 1 classroom 100–
1000 µl digital micropipet, 2 mini centrifuges
The Future is
in Our Genes
As an educator
I am compelled to expose
my students to the highest
M
y
mission
has
always
level of scientific
been
to sparktechniques,
their
knowledge,
and
interest,
a passion,
researchcreate
with the
hope that
and
and
theythen
will step
carryaside
the torch
watch
with
theour
greatest
forward
from
satisfaction
as
they
soar.
generation into theirs.