Published: November 20, 2008 09:48 am      

EICCD offers workshop on genetic engineering to area students

DAVENPORT — Area high school and community college students have an opportunity to play with jellyfish genes to literally make bacteria glow.

It’s part of a free workshop, Introduction to Genetic Engineering, offered by Eastern Iowa Community College District with funding provided by the National Science Foundation.

“The students will perform basic genetic engineering techniques while participating in an authentic research experience,” said Angela Ghrist, Scott Community College biology instructor. “The jellyfish genes transform the bacteria, producing a green fluorescent protein.”

The use of the resulting protein has revolutionized the field of biology, allowing scientists to see structures and processes that were previously invisible. Scientists who pioneered the use of GFP were recently awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

“In a second project, students will clone and sequence a novel plant gene,” Ghrist said. “Students will also have an opportunity, if they choose, to share their data with scientists worldwide by submitting their sequence data to the National Center for Biotechnology Information databases.”

The experience allows students to develop the knowledge and technical skills used in entry-level lab positions in research and industry, and to strengthen their critical thinking skills — important for success in college undergraduate work and especially important for those planning to enter medical or graduate school.

The five-day workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on consecutive Saturday mornings — Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7.

An additional session will be scheduled at a later date for those participants wishing to submit their data to the NCBI.

The workshop will be held at Scott Community College, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf. To be eligible to participate, a student must submit a completed application form by Dec. 17 and show that they have successfully completed or are in the process of completing at least one advanced biology course. Those chosen to participate will be notified by Jan. 9.

Applications are available on the EICCD Web site, www.eicc.edu/genetic. Contact Ghrist for more information at (563) 441-4327 or aghrist@eicc.edu. This program is funded by the National Science Foundation under the STEM Talent Expansion Program.