Molecular Biology Workshops

"Excellent. The handouts on procedures help you break it down into class-size pieces. Going through the entire procedure is very helpful in that you have better knowledge of time commitments and prep-time required."

workshop participant, Minnetonka High School
Minnetonka, Minnesota

"The workshop was outstanding. In fact, probably the best I've attended. The instructors demonstrated all the elements of an effective lesson: organized & prepared, direct instruction and guided group practice. I now feel well prepared to introduce the lab in my program."

workshop participant
California Science Teachers Association

We Come To You ...

To help you introduce your students to the concepts and technologies that they hear and read about in their daily news sources, FOTODYNE has developed two Molecular Biology Workshops for high school and college biology teachers. These workshops are designed to provide teachers with "hands-on" experience in molecular biology and recombinant DNA procedures.

For the high school teacher, FOTODYNE offers a workshop especially designed for Advanced Placement Molecular Biology laboratory work. For the instructor with some experience in these techniques, FOTODYNE offers a more advanced DNA microarray workshop which focuses on Lung Cancer and Smoking.

FOTODYNE provides the professional staff, equipment, materials, and supplies for each workshop.

Workshops

Exploring Bioluminescence: Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques

The biological production of light, or bioluminescence, has fascinated humans for thousands of years. This intensive 2-day hands-on workshop uses bioluminesent bacteria to give you a working knowledge of molecular biology laboratory techniques and will help you bring these techniques into your classroom.

Techniques covered include:

Isolating bioluminescent bacteria from natural sources
Restriction enzyme digestion of DNA samples
Ligation of cleaved DNA samples
Transformation of E. coli
Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA samples
Staining and visualization of agarose gels
Photodocumentation and analysis of results

DNA Fingerprinting Techniques: Preservation of Endangered Crane Species

A fresh approach to teaching DNA fingerprinting techniques that emphasizes biology rather than crime.

FOTODYNE Incorporated, in cooperation with the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, offers an intermediate-level, hands-on laboratory workshop in DNA fingerprinting techniques.

In this advanced 2-day workshop, high school and college life science teachers will use DNA fingerprinting techniques as they apply to conservation biology. Participants will test for paternity in crane species by developing genetic profiles of several birds. This application of DNA fingerprinting is now used not only in the preservation of cranes, but also in the preservation of many other endangered animals.

In this workshop, teachers will work in groups of two to gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques that include:

Restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA
Gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA
Southern blotting
PCR
Hybridization
Vertical gel electrophoresis of short tandem repeats (STRs)
Non-radioactive detection
Photodocumentation and analysis of results

Identification of Genetically Modified Foods - PCR

This 2-day hands-on workshop is intended to give you a working knowledge of molecular biology laboratory techniques and will help you bring these techniques into your classroom. You will participate in laboratory exercises and discussions highlighting current issues in biotechnology including DNA Fingerprinting and Genetically Modified Foods.

You will gain experience in:

Preparation of Agarose Gels
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Photodocumentation or Results Learn how molecular biology techniques are used in:
- Creating genetically modified (GM) plants
- Detecting genetic modification in foods

Genomics and Microarrays

Bring the excitement of microarray technology to your classroom! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn theory and applications of microarray technology and the field of Genomics. Participants will be given a package which contains microarray and genomics background information, laboratory protocols and a list of references. Each participant will also receive an electronic file of their chips after they have been scanned.Workshop activities include:

Make a DNA chip with genes related to smoking & lung cancer or plants & photosynthesis.
Hybridize and wash a DNA chip.
Learn principles behind this powerful technology.
Learn about bioinformatics and analyze DNA chip results.
A group paper activity descigned to make DNA chips easy to understand & fun!