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News And Views - Biotek Babble

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:55:58 +0000

Autism Linked To Maternal Grandmother's Age

A new study into autism has found that maternal grandmothers were nearly twice as likely to have an autistic grandchild if they were over 30 when they had the child's mother, and three times as likely if they were over 35. This may point to factors operating at the time when the mother was in the womb, which may influence her developing ovaries and thus the genomes of her future children.

Brain Cells Created Directly From Skin Cells

Researchers have transformed adult mouse skin cells directly into fully functional nerve cells, skipping the stem cell stage! The technique could eventually be used to treat any condition where neurons need to be replaced, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, or spinal cord injuries.

Day-Glow Dogs for Genetic Research

Researchers at Seoul National University in South Korea have used a virus to deliver the gene for the red fluorescent protein (RFP) into the skin cells of four healthy puppies that now glow bright red under UV light. The red fluorescent protein was so strongly expressed that even in daylight, the puppy's skin and nails have a reddish hue. The researchers claim that making a transgenic dog is a useful tool for studying human genetic disease as many genetic diseases are shared between man and dog (224 in total).

Green-Glow Embryos

A research team at Cornell University in New York has created a genetically engineered human embryo using the same green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene that students use in classroom transformations. The scientists used a modified virus, commonly used in gene therapy treatments, to deliver the GFP gene to the embryo. In this study, because all the cells of the embryo were fluorescent, the gametes that would develop from the embryo would also be fluorescent, and in theory would be passed on in the germ line. The embryo was destroyed after five days.

Mosquitoes: Flying Vaccinators of the Future?

Japanese researchers are genetically modifying mosquitoes so that they are carriers of vaccines that could inoculate millions for free. The researchers have already genetically modified a mosquito species so that its saliva contains a protein that acts as a vaccine against leishmaniasis, a sandflyborne disease that triggers terrible skin sores and can be fatal.

British Scientists Discover 'criminal' Gene

Researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry in London say they have discovered a gene which is strongly linked to criminal and anti-social behaviour. They say children with a variation of a particular gene, when living in deprived social circumstances are nine times more likely to behave badly compared to others living in similar circumstances.

The Creation of Synthetic Life

Researchers at the J Craig Venter Institute (US) have successfully constructed the first selfreplicating, synthetic bacterial cell. This research - an example of a growing area of research called synthetic biology - has the potential for some amazing technologically relevant functions.

Neanderthal Genes Found in Some Modern Humans

According to an international eam of scientists, as humans migrated out of Africa 100,000 to 50,000 years ago, some individuals in the Middle East interbred with Neanderthals and as a result some genetic sequences can be found in all non-African humans.

Woolly Mammoth Blood ‘brought back to life’

Scientists have taken "a blood sample from a real mammoth" - by using ancient fragmented DNA from bones 25,000 to 43,000 years old they reconstructed the blood protein haemoglobin and found special adaptations to the harsh, arctic weather.

The ‘Benefits’ of Older Motherhood

Advances in reproductive technologies have now enabled women in their seventies to become mothers and has created the anomalous situation of a woman simultaneously qualifying for an old age pension and child benefit...

IVF More Efficient Than Sex in the Over-30's

Scientists predict that IVF (in vitro fertilisation) could become the routine method of conception for 30-40 year olds within a decade. The likelihood of natural conception in humans falls to less than 10 per cent once a woman is over 35. However, IVF success rates for healthy over 35's are near to 50 per cent.

Whole Genome Scans

Whole genome analysis can now be used to tailor medicine and lifestyle choices and to gather clinically- useful information about the risk of developing diseases later in life. A significant 74 per cent of Australians surveyed said that they are ready to have their genomes sequenced and analysed and are not afraid of potentially bad news.

'Junk' DNA Makes Us Unique

'Junk DNA' may be anything but junk! Only two per cent of the human genome is made up of protein-coding genes that shape attributes like our hair colour. These 23,000 genes vary by only 0.025 per cent across all humans. Until recently, scientists termed the remaining 98 per cent of our DNA that didn't produce proteins - 'junk DNA'. But, now researchers have shown that this noncoding DNA, which can vary by as much as one to four per cent between individuals, plays a crucial role in determining which genes are active and how much of a particular protein those genes produce. This has led many to theorise that the key to our individuality may not be our genes, but in these 'junk' sequences that surround and control the genes!

NuSep Precast Gels

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:58:15 +0000

Control and Flexibility. That is what is offered by this exciting relationship. It is now possible to purchase individual NuSep PreCast Gels through Bio-Tek Services! This gives YOU greater control and flexibility when it comes to scheduling your protein separations.

NuSep (ASX: NSP) is a publicly listed Australian life sciences company that sells products into the global BioSeparations market. With a 30 year heritage in biological separations, NuSep has forged a world class reputation for its innovative yet simple biological separation techniques.

Precast Gels
NuSep manufactures and sells precast gels including the innovative nUView Gels, which can be visualised in under 2 minutes using a 250- 320 nm UV transilluminator, such as is available from Bio-Tek Services.

NuSep has incorporated nUView into their Tris-Glycine gels which allows you to quickly visualise your proteins without exposure to potentially toxic and costly stains or compromising on sensitivity. The beauty of nUView is that as well as being able to visualise your proteins within 2 minutes of completing a run, this visualisation does not change or interfere with any other downstream process. Using nUView you can photograph your gel post the gel run to create a permanent record. After this visualisation you can blot, probe or stain in the full knowledge of your samples location and concentration.

NuSep’s patented gel products undergo rigorous quality control to ensure superior performance and reproducibility in a variety of electrophoresis systems.

Great for practical classes!

Nu-Sep precast gels offer some unique features that make them particularly suited to practical classes.

Ability to visualise protein bands in under 2 minutes under UV
Short run times: with run times as little as 30 minutes you can easily prepare samples and run gels in under 60 minutes.
Easy for students to use
- Solid well dividers so gel will not be damaged when loading samples
- "Plug and Play": just take the gel out of the pouch and load it into the electrophoresis apparatus
- No special tools required
- Numbered wells
Exceptional resolution
18 month shelf life so you do not have to worry about wasting gels.

To order NuSep Precast Gels:

For boxes of 10 gels or for smaller gel quantities (1-9), contact Bio-Tek Services (07) 5602 8002 to discuss your needs so that we can recommend the most appropriate solution.

Feature Articles

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:22:20 +0000

While you may recognise that the laboratory ‘hands-on’ aspects of Biotechnology are engaging for students, where do you go for more information and support? This was the purpose of the Australian biotechnology education newsletter Biotech Babble, originally published by Steve Garrett during 2006 and 2007.

This newsletter was designed to inform, enthuse and support teachers and laboratory technical staff in their commitment in ensuring the provision of quality biotechnology and microbiology learning experiences for their students.

An aspect of Biotech Babble which was well received was its helpful Feature Articles which contained excellent background notes as well as hints, tips and trouble-shooting suggestions. These past articles are being made available in the Education Resources section on the Bio-Tek Services website. Past Feature Articles have included:

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Bacterial Transformation
Liquid Column Chromatography
Microbiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Protein Electrophoresis
Part 1- Background

Part 2– Techniques
Part 3– Cost Considerations

It is the intention of Bio-Tek Services to continue publishing feature articles in Bio-Tek Babble – this will commence in Issue 2. As there have been some significant (and exciting) developments in most areas of biotechnology education classroom practice over the past few years, the initial feature articles will focus on updating the most popular past articles. Electrophoresis will be the first topic to be updated.

How Would Your Students Define ‘Science’?

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:30:00 +0000

At a presentation during a national conference, a student’s classroom comment was cited which defined science as ‘A field of study based on memorisation of boring facts that have little relevance to my life’… It is scary to think of the number of students
who have had the same opinion of science as a result of the science education that they have had to endure over the years!

An important consideration in making science relevant to the lives of students is the provision of student-centred inquiry-based learning experiences, within relevant contexts which support students in their active construction of meaning. This is where we come in... Our role at Bio-Tek Services is to assist you in bringing contemporary biology learning experiences to your students in order to help them understand how science is a way of knowing, not just a body of boring facts to be learned that have no relevance to their lives!

At Bio-Tek Services, we concentrate our efforts on Biotechnology and Microbiology education, with products to inspire young scientists of the future.

We are the sole Australian agents for EDVOTEK, the American Biotechnology Education Company, which gives our customers access to a vast range of equipment, experiment kits and consumables.

We are also the sole Australian agents for VIRTMac Cell Biology Manipulatives - ‘If You Build It They Will Learn’

In addition, we have our own range of biotechnology and microbiology kits and consumables. We look forward to being of service!

The Ascendency of the Biological Sciences

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:34:01 +0000

These are exciting times in which to be teaching biology! However, the very nature of science has undergone drastic changes in recent times, demanding a new perspective on science education in schools. There is a necessity and desire for substantial reforms of science education to reflect the changing nature of science as well as the changing notion of what is desirable science education (enter the National Curriculum).

Preparing Students

Students need to be prepared to think their way out of a brown paper bag! Merely memorizing information does not adequately prepare students to decipher, interpret or reason. ‘True learning’ is based on discovery, guided by mentoring, rather than on an oppressive model based on the transmission of knowledge. Research has shown that the use of problem-based learning focussed on scientific problems, engages students, provides them with the chance to apply their concept knowledge to a relevant issue in science, work cooperatively in teams, enhance communication skills, and think critically in analysing complex problems. In addition, students display a deeper understanding of the subject matter and increased selfdirection and motivation.

Teachers who provide real-life scenarios focusing on biological concepts afford the opportunity for greater understanding in their students. These scenarios allow students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of concepts in a practical, thoughtful manner.

Obviously, the reforms that are required to enable science teachers to mentor students on their journey of learning with contemporary contexts, cannot be accomplished without significant ongoing professional development. This requires carefully
designed, comprehensive programs of sustained, integrated PD opportunities that actively involve teachers in the design process; give teachers an opportunity to practice what they learn, with access to follow-up support and which lead to the
development of partnerships in professional communities of learners who communicate on a regular basis.

Professional Development

This is where I can help. In 2009 I completed my Master of Education (Research) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove Campus. My supervisors were Dr Gillian Kidman and Associate Professor Jim Watters. I was fortunate enough to secure a QUT Master’s Scholarship to research the factors impacting on the design and implementation of effective biotechnology professional development for teachers and laboratory technical staff. Since then, I have been able to integrate my Master’s research with my scientific laboratory research experience, teaching experiences and previous PD development experiences to enable me to develop an evidence-based comprehensive biotechnology professional development
model that includes the content, skills, pedagogy and socio-scientific dimensions. This model will form the basis of all Professional Development programs that will be conducted by myself either as a private consultant or through Bio-Tek Services.

My role as a Biotechnology & Microbiology Education Consultant means that I can assist you to achieve your goals. In particular, with hands-on experiential learning and curriculum development. I can assist with the following: • Curriculum Development

Suggested Learning Experiences
Equipment Purchases
Staff Training
Workshops
Classroom Modeling
Technical Advice
Technical Support
Funding Applications
Developing Experimental Investigations

I am always available for a ‘chat’ and would encourage you to contact me at any time to discuss how I may be of assistance.

In the next issue I will outline an exciting opportunity which exists for identified schools across Australia to form partnerships with Bio-Tek Services to bring cutting edge bioscience education to their region...

STEVE GARRETT

Biotechnology & Microbiology Education Consultant

ABN: 13 900 571 335

biotechnolgy@ozemail.com.au

Ph: 0410 576 482