On Thursday 7 March, the Year 12 Biology students visited the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. After a short lecture (and a fun game) on the processes involved, students had the opportunity to conduct a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Gel Electrophoresis. PCR is used in medical research to amplify small quantities of DNA while Gel Electrophoresis is used to analyse and compare this DNA to other samples. These methods are used regularly at the Institute to help in the diagnosis of diseases such as skin cancer.
Krystal Skelin, Science Co-Ordinator
Student Reflections
“The trip to Harry Perkins was a very beneficial excursion. It was very enjoyable to be able to tour and learn in a premier science lab in Perth. My favourite part was being able to carry out our own Gel Electrophoresis experiment using all of the facility’s expensive equipment. I’d like to thank Ms Skelin and the Science Department for organising this excursion for us.”
“I really enjoyed being able to work in a lab first-hand and get an idea of what it would be like to work there. This was a really valuable experience as all of us are going to be applying for university soon. The people there were really easy to talk to and provided lots of useful information and it really helped me figure out what I would like to do with my future!”
