Students will get hands-on experience in modern molecular biology techniques.

They will work with a plasmid containing the heterologous gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the arabinose operon.

The students will investigate the process of bacterial transformation as they introduce the GFP containing plasmid into E.coli and select for its presence using an antibiotic.

They will also investigate gene regulation in bacteria as they induce expression of GFP by way of the inclusion of arabinose in the growth medium and fluorescence by excitation under UV light.

Students will set up and run a controlled scientific experiment that clearly demonstrates the relationship between independent and dependent variables.

Students will also learn how to process and analyse their data. The students take their samples back to school and analyse them after an incubation period.