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Year 12 Biology Enrichment Programme

Course Information

This is a three-week long course hosted on consecutive Saturdays (20 Jan, 27 Jan and 3 Feb).

The course is open to students from any maintained school. The target audience is students wanting to stretch themselves beyond the school syllabus, it is not designed to support standard syllabus learning. Due to the practical nature of the course, students will need to attend the course in person at St Paul’s School, SW13 9JT. 

The aim of this course is to provide keen and talented scientists with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of working with molecular biology equipment normally found in a research lab. This is a great chance for students to learn about sophisticated molecular biology techniques, and will be invaluable experience for those considering biology, biochemistry and related degrees.

With the teaching expertise and laboratory facilities available at St Paul’s, participants will cover:

SESSION 1: SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 2024

Use of Gilson micropipettes – ‘the tools of the trade’
Genetic Transformation of bacteria with the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene
Expression of GPP in bacteria
Agarose gel electrophoresis to examine plasmid DNA

SESSION 2: SATURDAY 27 JANUARY 2024

Analysis of the results of the expression of GFP in bacteria
SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to examine protein content of bacterial cells
Set up of bacterial cultures for over expression of GFP protein for the next week.

SESSION 3: SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2024

Purification of GFP protein from bacterial cells extracts

Timings

Please arrive at 9.15am to register for a prompt start.

All sessions run from 9.30am – 12.30pm with a short break halfway through the morning.

By registering for a place on the course, you agree that the student will attend all of the consecutive Saturday sessions.