Year 12 human biology students from St Mary MacKillop College spent a day at the Lotterywest Biodiscovery Centre at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth to work with DNA.
Research scientists at the new QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands provided the students with opportunity to work with real DNA to better understand methods of identifying DNA mutations. The students engaged in a practical laboratory session that explored how to amplify the potentially mutated gene of melanoma patients, which could lead to improved treatment options.
They ran a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify the gene of interest, then used gel electrophoresis to verify their results and examine the gene in respect to a nucleotide ladder. Students also toured the facility. Human Biology teacher Miss Holly Morrow said the sessions at the institute provided hands on access to valuable content.
“They got a real world look at causes of mutations, real biotechnology techniques and the new developments that are providing greater access to genetic information.”
