Study of Life Sciences should always be practiced HANDS ON. It definitely was for the Biology student of standards X, XI and XII at Manava  Bharati- when students set eyes on strands of DNA swimming around in test tubes held in their hands.

At part of the in campus activities – Escherichia Genomic Pvt. Ltd. was invited to conduct an ‘ADVANCED HANDS ON DNA WORKSHOP’ on 2 August, 2018. The objective was to instill confidence and ignite the interest of students so that they could explore with the help of some simple series of activities to learn the most difficult concepts of biotechnology, thus bring in a change in mindset of the students and rekindle the waning interest in sciences, especially the life sciences. 

From 8 to 11 o’clock students conducted experiments that helped them to extract DNA from various samples provide– like plant material, animal blood, saliva, hair and bacteria. The prepared DNA samples were spooled out of the test tubes further prepared and separated using AGAROSE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS technique. The post lunch session saw students loading the prepared and stained DNA fragment samples for electrophoresis and then visualizing them under   UV radiation as orange coloured bands. Students also learnt of the protocol followed while conducting PCR Techniques. Lastly was the session on the DNA fingerprinting.

Study of Sciences should be based on developing the skills of independent critical thinking abilities and built up with a scientific approach to problem solving. Therefore it is necessary to prepare students by identifying their strengths and talents and by giving them a greater exposure to the practical aspects of science.