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South Cheshire College students visit Keele
A group of 60 biology students from South Cheshire College recently spent a day with the Life Sciences department at Keele University to learn more about molecular biological techniques related to their A-level studies.
The day involved practical training in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis. These common techniques are key topics on the A-level syllabus of most exam boards.
Students worked with samples of their own mitochondrial DNA, extracted from cheek cells. They then prepared their samples for amplification by PCR, and loaded the subsequent DNA onto agarose gels for electrophoretic analysis.
The visitors appreciated the chance to spend a day in a modern molecular biology laboratory, using equipment previously unavailable to them, in addition to having a taster of university life – useful for those who are interested in higher education in the life sciences.
If you are school or college biology teacher who would like more information about this training day, please contact David Hulse, Teaching fellow in Biology, at d.r.hulse@biol.keele.ac.uk .
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