Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium

This advanced workshop is designed to familiarize teachers with genetic modification of organisms (GMO) and provide a classroom lab activity illustrating the prevalence of GMOs in our food supply.

During the workshop, participants will:

• learn the basics of plant genetic engineering
• extract DNA from a variety of plant sources, including packaged foods such as corn chips
• use PCR to detect genetically engineered elements in these foods
• participate in online guided research about GMOs
• discuss the pros and cons of this new technology.

Continental breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. The workshop will be held at Amador Valley High School, 1155 Santa Rita Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Click to download the workshop flyer, map of Amador Valley High School (with room location), and the tentative schedule.

Registration deadline is Friday, January 15, 2010.  Registration is open to all BABEC teachers, however, all registrants must have prior training and experience with PCR. Notification of acceptance will be emailed on January 20, 2010. Please register only if you are able to attend the entire workshop. Registrants must mail in a reservation check for $50 to guarantee space in the workshop. It will be held and returned at the workshop, but will be forfeited for no-shows. Mail checks to: BABEC c/o Dr. Katy Korsmeyer, Dept of Chemistry, SJSU, San Jose, CA 95192-0101. You will not be considered for attendance if we do not receive your check.

Remember, you are a BABEC teacher if your school participates in the biotechnology activities of any of the partnership organizations: CISBE, EBBEP, Gene Connection, PROBE, SCCBEP, or SF BASE. Workshop sponsored by BABEC, EBBEP, Life Technologies, SCCBEP, and Amgen.