Explore the diverse and growing field of biotechnology.
Biotechnology is a field of study that uses living organisms or their parts to create products or processes. Biotechnology has applications in many fields, including agriculture and medicine. This course is designed to introduce students to some of the basic techniques used in the field of biotechnology.
Over the course of the week, we will be working with green fluorescent protein. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was discovered in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and developed for use in research by a team of scientists who won the Nobel Prize for their work with GFP in 2008.
We will be working with the protein GFP and its DNA over the course of the week as we modify the DNA sequence to change the color of the protein, genetically modify bacteria to produce the protein and isolate the protein from bacteria for observation.
2025 Pre-College SummerDATES PROGRAM FEE APPLICATION DEADLINE |
Experiential Learning
During this week-long program, you will be introduced to a variety of biotechnology laboratory techniques through both lectures and hands-on laboratory activities. During the course of the week you will:
- Isolate DNA and modify the DNA sequence for green fluorescent protein using Polymerase Chain Reaction.
- Perform common biotechnology techniques including bacterial transformation and agarose gel electrophoresis.
- Genetically modify bacteria to produce green fluorescent protein.
- Purify green fluorescent protein using various techniques including chromatography and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.
Prerequisites:
- Students must have completed Regents Living Environment (NY students) or an equivalent biology course.
- Students are required to wear pants, closed-toe shoes, and a midriff-covering top to all course meetings (lab safety requirement).
Instructor
Kristen Vadasz, MAT
Kristen is a Lecturer and Co-Director of the Biotechnology Teaching Laboratories (BTL) at the Institute for STEM Education at Stony Brook University. She earned her Bachelor’s in Biology and her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Biology at Stony Brook University. At the University, Kristen teaches two courses in biotechnology, one targeted to non-science, undergraduate students and the other for graduate students in the MAT Biology program. As Co-Director of the BTL, Kristen teaches hundreds of visiting middle and high school students over the academic year, while also training and mentoring students from the MAT program and coaching them through their first teaching experiences. Kristen is involved in various science workshops and camps for students in grades 5-12. In 2015, Kristen started the Holiday Science Camp, one-day science workshops for students in grades 5, 6 & 7, to give students hands-on science experience in a fun, educational environment.
