STEM Club - Biotechnology Workshop
This year, our School joined the Biotechnology Partnership Programme organized by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). This programme aims to introduce students to the importance of scientific discovery through the hands-on molecular biology learning experience. It also enables students to experience the excitement of participating in cutting-edge science with significant real-world applications. The STEM Club took this opportunity to co-organize a two-month Biotech Experience Programme with CUHK for its members and Biology students.
From March to April 2019, participating students attended the after-school biotechnology workshop once every week. Our students were introduced to the principles behind biotechnology, and various basic biotechnology laboratory skills, including the use of the micropipette and the micro-centrifuge, and serial dilution. In addition, our students also got the opportunity to learn some advanced biotechnology skills including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA gel electrophoresis and construction of recombinant plasmid. PCR is a technique widely used in biotechnology to produce many copies of a specific DNA segment. With PCR, a single copy of DNA can be exponentially amplified to produce thousands to millions of copies of that particular DNA segment. DNA gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate a mixed population of macromolecular DNA fragments by length and charge. Its application includes genetic diagnosis, forensic science, parentage tests and more.
During the Biotech Experience Programme, our students developed very specific biotechnology skills and received certificates in recognition of the effort and time spent in the two-month training. The knowledge was certainly valuable to their studies and careers.
