Miss Dawson (Biology Teacher)

This term, our Sixth Form biologists were able to experience biotechnology in our labs. The A Level specification requires them to learn about the process of gel electrophoresis and its uses in biotechnology, such as paternity tests, forensics and the study of evolutionary relationships.

The department was fortunate to be able to borrow the lab equipment from the University of Hertfordshire, which enabled the students to carry out the digestion of DNA using restriction endonucleases and then run these samples on a gel to analyse the results. 

The first skill to master was micropipetting, with Mrs Jenkin (Biology Teacher) playing soothing classical music to calm her class’ shaking hands! All of the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and found it has helped their understanding of the processes involved as well as give them a small insight into a career as a lab based scientist.