GENE-TECHNOLOGY Demonstration Lab

Learning in the lab

The “Demonstrationslabor Bio-/Gentechnik” is an outreach laboratory at the University of Bayreuth with a specific focus on teaching issues of gene technology. Under the direction of the Biology Education Department at the University of Bayreuth, it is a part of the Centre of Math & Science Education (Z-MNU). In the beginning, the Bavarian Ministries of Environment and Education and the Oberfrankenstiftung have funded the lab. Actually, the German Science Foundation gives its fourth grant to the lab (procect BO 944/4-5, from 2011 to 2013).

The lab offers experimental workshops to students (primarily participating on specific seminar courses in biology and/or chemistry at secondary schools), to in-service teachers of high schools, to university students in science education (biology and chemistry), and, last but not least, multiplicators in general. Students can participate (together with their teacher) in day-long teaching units during the spring break (February to April). Within minds-on-hands-on units, they learn about typical questions and techniques in molecular biology. Thereby, instructional efficiency of the learning environment is evaluated.

Actually, two experimental modules are offered:
1. Genetic Finger Printing:
(i) isolation of human DNA out of students' oral mucosa cells;
(ii) polymerase chain reaction with a human microsatellite system;
(iii) agarose gel electrophoresis for visualization of all DNA probes.
2. Gene Technology and Foods:
(i) isolation of plant DNA out of soy-containing foods;
(ii) polymerase chain reaction with the isolated probes in order to prove for soybean DNA;
(iii) agarose gel electrophoresis for visualization of all DNA probes.
All hands-on teaching units refer to the current Bavarian syllabus of the subject biology. They include an ethical refection phase  regarding to the issues being taught.

List of publications of this Project

• Genlabor Flyer
• Poster (Biotechnology educational lab)