Our Year 13 students have already had the opportunity to get to grips with the new kits, with some very successful results! In a recent practical session, students undertook the fascinating process of digesting Lambda virus DNA using three different types of endonucleases. These remarkable enzymes act like highly specific 'molecular scissors', cutting DNA at precise locations along the strand.

Following this careful 'digestion', the students then used the gel electrophoresis tanks to separate the resulting DNA fragments based on their electrical charge and size. By carefully applying an electric current across a gel matrix, the DNA fragments migrate at different rates, creating a unique banding pattern. Finally, the students flooded the gels with a staining dye, allowing them to visualise the distinct bands of DNA – a tangible and exciting result of their experiment!

This practical work provides our students with a deeper understanding of key biological concepts and develops essential laboratory skills. Being able to physically manipulate and analyse DNA in this way offers a far more engaging and memorable learning experience than simply reading about it in a textbook.