Students benefit from DNA fingerprinting workshops

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SOME 10,000 secondary school students in Penang will have the chance to discover the wonders of genetics through a series of DNA fingerprinting workshops – thanks to the collaboration between B. Braun and Penang Science Cluster (PSC).

 

The PSC’s ‘Science Kits to Schools’ initiative is aimed at inspiring students to choose Life Sciences and Medical Health as their career path.

 

The DNA fingerprinting workshops are the first track under the ‘Science Kits to Schools’ initiative.

 

PSC chief executive officer Ooi Peng Ee said the three-year workshops involved a statewide training for teachers who would then administer the experiments and conduct the same workshops in their own schools using the DNA learning kits sponsored by B. Braun.

 

“Students will be able to learn the basics and theories of genetics and understand the concepts of DNA extractions, DNA replications, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis through hands-on experiments,” he said in his speech.

 

Chow (centre) using a micropipette to extract a sample from the microtube. With him are Dr Ramasamy (left), Syerleena (far back, fourth from left), Ooi (far back, third from left) and Lam (far back, second from left).

 

It is learnt that the workshops are currently ongoing since July 26 this year and had impacted some 1,500 students.

 

B. Braun Asia-Pacific president Lam Chee Hong said the workshops provide opportunities for students to move beyond classroom learning.

 

“Genetics is one of the most important scientific fields of study that can safeguard the future of the human race. The study of genetics yields answers on how can we cure diseases, improve human health, manage environmental challenges and develop innovative agricultural solutions to continue feeding the world’s population,” he said.

 

(seated from left) Dr Ramasamy, Chow, Syerleena and Lam taking a group photo with the participants after the launching ceremony.

 

Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also the PSC board chairman said the workshops would make the learning of Molecular Biology ‘come alive’.

 

“Students will be able to use industry tools such as micropipettes and gels, and learn real analysis techniques used by scientists at the workshops,” he said.

 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that Penang needs to nurture students of today into talents of tomorrow.

 

Chow delivering his speech at the launching ceremony.

 

“That is why the state initiated the PSC with the industry in 2009 and PSC began operating in 2010. PSC has impacted about 100,000 students each year for the past nine years, through its many initiatives and programmes.

 

“Penang is a very industrialised state and home to many high-technology companies from all over the world. The biggest need for existing and new companies in Penang is skilled people or talent,” Chow said in his speech during the launching ceremony at PSC in Bangunan UAB, China Street Ghaut today.

 

Also present were Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid and PSC director Datuk Yoon Chon Leong.

 

There was also a DNA fingerprinting demonstration after the ceremony.

 

 

Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad