KUALA LUMPUR: As part of the STEM initiative by Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St.
Mary, Laboratory Ind Resources (LIR) and Malaysia Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) were invited on July 4th, 2018, to educate the students on DNA science and its relation to, genetically modified organisms (GMO).
With the theme “Democratising DNA Science”, the workshop was attended by 100 delighted form two students.
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director of Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (Mabic) shared how crops are genetically modified and how genetic engineering can help relieve problems in the field of agriculture, medicine, and other industries.
The students were then introduced to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technology
which is commonly used for a wide variety of applications such as molecular biology, cloning, mutation detection, sequencing, forensics, and paternity testing
Robin Liew, business development manager of LIR demonstrated the PCR process
in order to detect products containing genetically modified organism (GMO).
The demonstration was done by using a mini PCR kit in the school lab.
They were excited to load the sample of products such as fish feed, soybean milk, dried bean curd, and rice flour in the wells of gel electrophoresis by using a micropipette, carried out DNA amplification and visualised the results.
Johana Jamaluddin; a science teacher at SMK St. Mary’s believes exposing the students to workshops such as this is of great importance and is a suitable method of manifesting science and technology interest and basic knowledge in students.
The students were receptive and appreciated the activities. Hekesha a form two said “ I think this workshop is really enlightening and should be conducted in other schools
