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Program Guidelines
Workshops
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Educational Services
Molecular Biology Workshops
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"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
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"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
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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 precollege and college biology teachers. These workshops are designed to provide teachers with "hands-on" experience in molecular biology and recombinant DNA procedures.
For the precollege 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 Fingerprinting Workshop which focuses on conservation biology.
FOTODYNE provides the professional staff, equipment, materials, and supplies for each workshop.
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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:
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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 Internatonal Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, offers an intermediate-level, hands-on laboratory workshop in DNA fingerprinting techniques.
In this advanced 2-day workshop, precollege 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:
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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:
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!
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FOTODYNE'S Educational Products Division has established a program for the loan of equipment to workshops or instructional programs dedicated to training teachers in recombinant DNA and/or molecular biology concepts and techniques or precollege AP Biology laboratory programs. These programs must include "hands-on" laboratory training using FOTODYNE equipment. Under special circumstances equipment may be loaned to qualified instructors who are planning programs that may lead to the development of workshops or training programs that would result in the purchase of FOTODYNE equipment and supplies.
Only major equipment (e.g., power supplies, gel chambers, microcentrifuges, FCR-10 cameras, transilluminators, etc.) will be loaned. Expendable supplies, reagents, and low cost equipment are not available for this program. The cost of package shipping and insuring loaned equipment to and from the workshop or training program will be assumed by the course organizer.
Individuals interested in borrowing FOTODYNE equipment will be sent a set of guidelines (see sidebar) which outline the conditions for the loan of such equipment and the supporting information which must be supplied to qualify for the loan.
The Equipment Loan Program has become very popular, especially during the summer months. Since there are limitations on availability of equipment, we recommend that you reserve equipment early.
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