Today (4-4), students in Mrs. Gartley's Healthcare Career Exploration class spent a few hours at the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute with scientist Barbara Bielec. They worked in the lab simulating the protocol Promega scientists use to genetically transform E. Coli strain JM109 (non-pathogenic) with a plasmid containing click beetle luciferase gene. The luciferase gene is the DNA code that gives the click beetle the ability to glow. This product is used by research labs around the world as a visible tag to organisms not seen by the naked eye. Students interested in laboratory careers in Biotechnology are able to take advanced classes at BTCI during their junior and senior years for Belleville High School credit. See Mrs. Gartley if you are interested in either Biotechnology in the World of Medicine or the Biotechnology Youth Apprenticeship.
