SHS Anatomy Class given project on DNA transformation

The Stockton High School Anatomy class was fortunate to be able to work with Mike Lawson on a DNA transformation project.

Mike travelled from Missouri a few weeks ago and presented Catherine Jones’ students about the use of DNA transformation to make insulin and growth hormones.

After his presentation, he took the students through the steps of creating their own transformed DNA. They were able to combine the glowing gene from a jellyfish with E.Coli bacteria to make bateria which glowed under a black light.

During the process the group used mechanical and chemical processes to open the cell membrane, which allowed the jellyfish gene to diffuse into the bacteria. Following, they plated the bacteria on a growth medium which had been supplemented with different things. The students then had to make predictions about which plates would have bacteria growth and which plates would have growth and would glow.

“Overall the class was very impressed with their results;’ stated Jones.

The class had the opportunity to present them to Mrs. Kesler’s second-grade class, Mrs. Moffett’s seventh-grade class and to an outside visitation group from Northern Valley.

Jones concluded, “We have invited Mike Lawson back to do more bacteria labs with us in the future:’