Upper School students in Ms. Theresa Bouchard’s Advanced Placement biology class conducted a transformation lab last week attempting to harvest DNA from a jellyfish into E. coli bacteria.

The students took a gene from a jellyfish that allows the marine animal to produce a protein that glows. They then attempted to get that DNA into E. coli bacteria. During the lab, students transferred solutions from stock containers to small vials then heat shocked the bacteria using ice and hot water baths, and transferred the DNA solution to four separate petri dishes.

“The AP biology students spent time during the first term studying genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. This lab is great because it allows the students to utilize what they have learned regarding DNA function and genetic codes to transform bacteria. They get “real life” lab experience and have the ability to see what they have learned unfold over the week. This particular lab bridges our first semester with the second, and it provides links to the students exploration of different types of biotechnology,” said Ms. Bouchard.

This week, the students observed the petri dishes to see if their lab was successful. There were 15 experiments that were run, and all were successful in transforming the E. coli bacteria. Thus, students were able to use DNA that was harvested from a jellyfish, manipulate it and integrate it into normal E. coli in order to transform it into E. coli that also glows under ultraviolet light. Some plates had more growth than others, but all groups were able to view glowing bacteria.

“This experiment was fascinating because it was so real. I felt like a real scientist, wearing gloves and goggles and handling E. coli and growing bacteria cultures. It was amazing. If a group of students from St. Margret’s can take a gene originally from bioluminescent jellyfish, put it in E. coli cultures and cause the cultures to glow within a week, then scientists doing cancer research can find out so much about this that it has the real possibility to change thousands of lives. It’s just staggering to know that we are all living in a world where technology and biology and medicine are all coming together,” said Rebekah Olsen, grade 11.