By Miss Dawson, Biology Teacher

Over the last fortnight the Upper Sixth Biology students were lucky enough to experience some biotechnology practical techniques to support their A Level and IB studies. 

The equipment required to carry out gel electrophoresis was loaned to BGS by the University of Hertfordshire, who hope that it will provide students with lab based skill practice in order to contextualise the theory, and to help prepare students going on to further study. 

While initially nervous about using the specialist equipment, the girls quickly picked up how to use a micropipette, before loading their samples into a gel for electrophoresis, a process which separates molecules dependent on size and charge, which is used in forensics and paternity tests, as well as medical diagnosis and immigration disputes.