Twenty-two ninth-graders attending a four-day Biotechnology Basics Camp at Randolph Community College this week participated in a wide variety of activities designed to illustrate the all-encompassing nature of biotechnology, according to Donna Perry, biology instructor and coordinator of Math, Science, Health and PE for the Arts & Sciences Division at RCC.
The students were introduced to DNA (the genetic material in living things) and proteins, and they learned about environmental monitoring. Hands-on activities included using a green fluorescent protein from jellyfish to detect bacteria with a specific DNA sequence, said Perry, a technique for which developers received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The students also isolated the DNA from a banana and took plant tissue cultures from Venus's-flytrap plants.
Assistance was provided this year by David Neely, RCC lab facilitator, and several former BTC-181 (Basic Lab Techniques) students at RCC. Students attending the Biotech Camp are rising ninth-graders from Randolph Early College High School. This is the third year for the event, which introduces students to biotechnology as a career choice. The camp was held from 9 a.m.-noon, June 22-25. Malt-O-Meal of Asheboro has provided funding to operate this year's Biotech Camp.
RCC offers an associate in applied science degree in Biotechnology in collaboration with Alamance Community College. The program is designed to prepare graduates to serve in three distinct capacities: research assistant to a biologist or a chemist, laboratory technician/instrumentation technician, and quality control/quality assurance technician. All first-year classes may be taken at RCC, then students transfer to ACC for all second-year courses and completion of the program.
For more information or to apply for entry into the Biotechnology program, contact RCC's Information Center at 336-633-0200.
See photos of the Camp