RiAus PDplus: Synthetic Biology – creating life in the lab

Event date: Wednesday 6 April 2011 - 03:45pm to 04:30pm
Program: PDplus.

RiAus PD<em>plus</em>: Synthetic Biology – creating life in the lab

Special Event for Teachers

Featuring Desmond Lun, from the Centre for Computational and Integrative Biology at Rutgers University, and Claudia Vickers, from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland.

What is synthetic biology? Visiting scientist Desmond Lun explained it as “sort of the next stage of genetic engineering. Instead of making small changes to specific genes, we’re really modifying large sections of genome. We’re putting in entirely new traits rather than modifying existing traits.” In this session we explored synthetic biology with two scientists aiming to modify bacteria to make biofuels.

Themes:

What is synthetic biology? Covers aspects of genetics and genetic engineering.
Sustainability – applications of synthetic biology e.g. creating cells that produce biofuels or even cells that can break down environmental pollution, creating more sustainable materials

DOWNLOAD Teacher notes for PDplus Synthetic Biology (pdf file 12 MB)

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/22056821">http://www.vimeo.com/22056821</a>

RiAus PDplus: Food Security – how will we feed a growing global population?

PDplus is a new initiative of the RiAus focusing on providing professional development opportunities for teachers, delivered online. The sessions draw on the varied and exciting public program of science engagement activities at RiAus and provide a unique opportunity for teachers to have access and put questions to scientists about their research and careers. These sessions are aimed at middle school (year 7-9) teachers, and will be complemented by extensive resources for further classroom activity.