Forensic Chemistry - Dr. Robert Klepper

• Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry to forensic studies.  It deals with the chemical processing of crime scene evidence for criminal evidence.

• A forensic chemistry course was developed at Iowa Lakes Community College in the Spring of 2006.  The basic outline of the course, including labs performed, will be discussed. This course covers identification of common chemicals that can lead to identification of a criminal or be used in the progression of a case against a criminal.  Common chemical tools from chromatography to PCR are used in the course to identify evidence.

Using Bacteria to Study a Eukaryotic System - Tasida Fisher 

• In the summer of 2007, Tasida Fisher participated in the program, Research Experience in Molecular Biotechnology and Genomics, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (www.reu.iastate.edu).

• Her research explored the function of Interleukin-2 kinase, a protein involved in a signal transduction in T-cells.  This seminar is a summary of the principles underlying this research, the methods used, and the information that this research uncovered.  It includes several examples of techniques commonly used in biotechnology, such as using prokaryotes to study eukaryotic systems, site directed mutagenesis, and western blots.

Genetic Engineering in Iowa - Mike Zeller

• Do you care if corn and soybeans contain DNA from bacteria? Did you know that food can be engineered to manufacture proteins including vaccines? From pharming to cloning to feeding the world, fascinating new advances in genetic engineering are quickly turning fiction into fact. In Iowa, these advances have special significance for farmers, researchers, our economy, and YOU.

• This presentation highlights how biotechnology has become a part of our everyday lives (whether we know it or not).  Included is an overview of some of the developments in this technology that are changing Iowa. This is a great opportunity to help introduce your students to the basic science of genetic engineering, as well as issues surrounding the social, economic and ethical impact Iowans regularly confront.

Cool Things About DNA - Mike Zeller

• Tremendous amounts of genetic information are now available to anyone who owns a computer and can run an Internet browser.  It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the new developments.  But out of this knowledge has come some interesting, intriguing, and even “cool” information about the blueprint of life.  This presentation takes a few minutes to reflect on the facts that make DNA fun, “cool”, and always interesting to study. 

•  Careers in Biotechnology

•  Examine high wage Biotech careers ($10-15,000/ year more than average)

•  Develop a strategy to prepare students for Biotech jobs

•  Explore the VARIETY of Biotech and related career possibilities that Iowa universities, colleges, community colleges, and businesses have to offer

Biotechnology Bio104 DMACC - Kacia Cain

• This presentation will explain the basic outline of my dual college credit high school “Biotechnology” course. We will see my students exploring the basics of Biotechnology, the study of DNA and its genes, including the science behind how DNA is used in:

• forensics

• genes expression (protein formation and use), and

• mutation and transformation from one organism to another

• This session will cover laboratory techniques in DNA extraction, purification, visualization (electrophoresis), transformation, and amplification (PCR).  Microbiology in both lab and lecture are covered.  Students learn the science behind current stem cell research, cancer, genetically modified crops (GMO), and the bioethics of stem cells and GMOs.