Flagstaff Biotechnology Club
Flagstaff Biotechnology Club is an exciting opportunity for Flagstaff area Junior and Senior High School students and teachers to participate in scientific research in a well-equipped research laboratory at Northern Arizona University. Though the name implies meeting as a group, there are no plans to convene as a traditional club. Instead, participants will commit to individual research projects and plan to complete their reserach goals individually during available research times or other times agreed upon by the participants and the Biotech Club coordinator.
Though initiation of Club activities were unexpectedly delayed throughout the fall 2010 semester, opportunities are now available for interested students and teachers to participate in biotechnology projects during the spring 2011 semester.
Biotechnology can be defined in several ways. The two main forms of biotechnology are (1) observational and (2) functional. Observational biotechnologies are tools we can use to observe biological processes. One of the oldest and most well-known of these is the microscope, invented in the late 1500s and used extensively by Robert Hooke in his landmark publication, Micrographia (1665). More recent developments in observational biotechnology have led to our ability to sequence DNA and protein molecules, medical imaging techniques (e.g. MRI, PET, ultrasound), and cellular staining.
Functional biotechnologies represent tools we have assimilated from nature. One of the most important of these is polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR which was developed by Kary Mullis in the 1980s. This technique allows researchers to amplify specific pieces of DNA they wish to examine. PCR is fundamental to techniques such as DNA sequencing, or creation of transgenic organisms. Another example of functional biotechnology is the use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 led to development of a spectrum of antibiotics to treat various ailments. Thanks to PCR and DNA cloning techniques, penicillin and other drugs (such as insulin) can be efficiently mass produced in transgenic bacteria carrying artificially inserted genes required for production of the drug.
The core idea of Flagstaff Biotechnology Club is that it allows participation in ongoing research projects. Since these projects are already funded, it allows us to keep costs down while maintaining opportunities for Club participants. However, we would like each Club participant to feel some responsibility and ownership of the research being conducted so discussion of research questions and ideas is encouraged and valued. Our intent is that through this process, Club members can generate results for a question they are interested in. We then hope to disseminate Club experiences through posters describing various research projects that will be placed at public venues such as the university, the publiclibrary, and/or a local school.
- Club participants can expect to have exposure to some of the following techniques:
- DNA extraction from plant, bacterial and/or fungal tissue
- Quantification of DNA by spectrophotometry
- Amplification of DNA by PCR
- Separation of DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis
- DNA sequencing
- Cloning of DNA fragments
- Restriction digestion
- Culturing of bacterial and/or fungal species
Use of the above techniques will be used to address questions involving the genetics of pine trees or other local plant species, and the assessment of soil microbial populations.
Specific projects available for immediate involvement by Club members include :
- Improvement of DNA extraction from pinyon pine needles using silica gel columns
- Improvement of high-throughput DNA extraction from pinyon pine needles using silica gel columns
- Improvement of high-throughput DNA extraction from pinyon pine needles for PCR by chemical methods
- Improvement of bacterial and fungal DNA extraction from soils using silica gel columns
- Improvement of high-throughput bacterial and fungal DNA extraction from soils using silica gel columns
- Improvement of high-throughput PCR amplification from plant and soil sources
Another opportunity for the club that has recently come up is performing prep work for local high school classes. Some of the techniques we might use would be:
- DNA extraction
- PCR
- Cloning of DNA fragments
- Preparation of competent cells
- Large-scale preparation of plasmid DNA
Students with experience in any of the above procedures and exceptional academic records will be well-positioned to apply for the TGen Helios Scholars summer internship program with a high probability of success.
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A culture of various bacteria and fungi growing on a hand. |
A pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) at Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ. |
DNA extractions from Pinus edulis electrophoretically separated on an agarose gel. |
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A "DNA library" from Pinus edulis for development of genetic markers. |
Capillary electrophoresis results. Unlike gel electrophoresis, DNA is fluorescently tagged and detected by laser excitation. The peaks represent fluorescence intensity following excitation. |
A gel showing PCR results of DNA cloning where individual fragments from a DNA library were inserted into a plasmid vector and transformed into an E. coli host. |
