What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the manipulation of biological processes, living organisms and/or their components to produce useful products for industrial or other purposes. Most often the manipulation involves genetic materials such as DNA, RNA and proteins.

Microorganisms, such as bacteria, are commonly
manipulated for numerous products such as:

antibiotics hormones

pest resistant crops new bacterial strains

novel pharmaceuticals novel materials

This is what we hope to do with the Intro to Biotechnology classes this year:

Test various enzymes including your own saliva and enzymes used for cheese making
Collect your own DNA to take home in a tube
Make copies of a section of your own DNA (this is called PCR, polymerase chain reaction)
Run a gel (gel electrophoresis) to see the DNA fingerprint of that section of your own DNA
Do PCR and gel electrophoresis with foods you bring in from home to determine if they are genetically modified organisms (GMO) or not
Work with a variety of species of bacteria, baker's yeast, fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), nematodes (C. elegans), plants and seeds of various species
Induce bacteria to take up a gene that will allow them to be fluorescent and resistant to an antibiotic
Purify the green fluorescent protein (GRP) from live bacteria and conduct protein chromatography to determine its purity
Plant and compare a variety of species with GMO and non GMO seeds
Conduct a simulated AIDS detection. This is a technique called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), or enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Observe and test oil "eating" bacteria
And hopefully much more!

This course exists at Torrey Pines High School thanks to the TPHS Foundation’s generous monetary support.

They fund the supplies and technical equipment necessary for learning modern lab skills in biotechnology. Donations are always needed and appreciated! http://www.torreypinesfoundation.org/

C. Kohn