CSIRO Double Helix Science Club
Sixteen teenagers visited ECU recently to genetically transform bacteria with a gene from green and glowing jellyfish. The two-day visit was part of the school holiday activities organised by CSIRO’s Double Helix Science Club for 10 to14 year olds with a keen interest in science Dr Chris Meredith, Senior Lecturer in Human Biology for the School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, led the experiment, showing the students how to put a gene from the fluorescent green jellyfish, Aequorea victoria, into E. coli bacteria. This process is known as genetic transformation. Genetic transformation involves placing a gene or genes from one living organism into another organism, to modify or improve the recipient in some way.
Dr Meredith explained to the students that the Aequorea victoria jellyfish uses its fluorescent glow to and lure small zooplankton into its hungry grasp. Dr Meredith said he was astounded at how quickly these young students grasped the concept of genetic transformation after the two-hour lab session. “I spent two hours with these students and at the end of this time they knew it all. They picked it up so quickly. They thought it was great, and I thought they were great,” he said. These budding young scientists returned to ECU the following day to observe the results of their experiment. It takes E. coli bacteria a day to grow so that they can be seen with the naked eye.
The students found their bacteria had successfully transformed from a dull, creamy colour to a brilliant fluorescent green, showing them how easy (and how much fun) genetic transformation can be. Bacteria that were genetically transformed with the jellyfish fluorescent gene can glow for months or possibly years, just like jellyfish. Much better than fluoro-necklaces! After the Green and Glowing Jellyfish activity had been completed, these students were joined by younger Double Helix members and some of their parents, and treated to one of Dr Meredith’s ‘Science of Magic’ Shows. In this show the ‘Joondalup Wizard’ hammered nails into wood with an apple, shattered squash balls and bananas, made colourful bubbling cauldrons, caused froth to shoot metres out of funnels, and magically re-lit candles. But the highlight for the students was the wizard’s breath mininova, a combusting balloon that produced so much heat and light that Dr Meredith’s beard was almost burnt off!
Dr Meredith said the feedback from students about their green and glowing experiment was very positive and the parents thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the magic show. “I introduced the parents as my first magic trick, as kids made to look like grown-ups, but who still behaved like kids. And that’s how they were!” laughed Dr Meredith. “The students loved it. They have been emailing me saying they want their bacterial plates back at school to show their teachers and friends. They also want to pour arabinose (a type of sugar) on to one of their plates and watch the fluorescent gene switch on before their eyes,” he said. “These students and their parents were greatly impressed by our Joondalup Campus and all its wonderful facilities.” “Perhaps the genetic transformation experiment, the ‘Science of Magic’ show, and our excellent facilities will inspire some of these young Double Helix members to join a future generation of ECU scientists?” reflected Dr Meredith.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr Chris Meredith on (08) 6304 5147