Back to Schools & Educators

Breaking the Bacteriophage

Breaking the Bacteriophage
Event Details

This NISF Schools event will see A-level Biology students get their gloves dirty with DNA in the lab. Students will work with the genome of the bacteria-killing virus, lambda bacteriophage, and break up its DNA using an evolved, virus-killing bacterial enzyme called an endonuclease. Participants will then load their digested DNA on an agarose gel and complete electrophoresis, a common molecular biology technique to see how successfully they’ve ground up their genome. Students will have an opportunity to visualise their results under a UV illuminator to see the individual shreds of the bacteriophage’s DNA.

Theoretical concepts of DNA digests, gel electrophoresis and UV illumination will be discussed throughout the practical session. This is a hands-on workshop where students will be taken through the process of of enzymatically digesting DNA, running a DNA gel, and examining the result. Therefore students will need to be present throughout the event.

Event Partners

You might like these too…

Want to see more?

View all events

Exploring Carbon

Mon 17 - Fri 21 February, 10-11:30am each day

Key Stage 1 , Key Stage 2 , Key Stage 3 , Key Stage 4 , Key Stage 5

Brook Hall, Derry~Londonderry

Learn more
Exploring Carbon

Dream Space Field Trip

Ongoing throughout the festival

W5 Life

Learn more
Dream Space Field Trip

Engineering Futures

Wed 19 Feb

Key Stage 1 , Key Stage 2

Ulster University, Belfast Campus

Learn more
Engineering Futures

Want to know what's happening?

Sign up to our mailing list for NISF updates!

A pixel-art dinosaur holding a scientific beaker filled with pink liquid A pixel-art tree Back to top north