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| Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science |
171212 - we went to Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science in UPM for a field trip. This faculty had been operated for decades and had been awarded 5-star rank last year for their great achievements in researches and products. There we were exposed to more details in biotechnology field. We were divided into four groups and have to go through all four stations of different activities.
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| The Facilitator for Station A- Animal Cell Culture |
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| breast cancer cell- MCF7 structure |
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| Laminar Airflow- where all the chemical process is done |
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| Inverted microscope- to see cells inside the flask |
In
STATION A -Animal Cell Culture; the facilitators showed us a breast cancer cell- MCF7. There are two types of cell: 1)
adherent where the cells attached to the bottom of the flask and; 2)
suspension where the cells floats and can move. The MCF7 is in the adherent state when it is still in the old media. Then after it is transferred into a new media it became a suspension. It is then stored in CO2 Incubator for it to stay alive.
Cell culture is important and used for; 1) model system, 2) toxicity testing, 3) cancer research, 4) virology, 5) cell based manufacturing, 6) genetic engineering, 7) gene therapy and; 8) drug screening and development.
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| Cultured tobacco plant |
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| The facilitator is showing how callus is produced from the wounding of leaf |
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| Station B- Plant Tissue Culture facilitator |
While in
STATION B- Plant Tissue Culture; we were exposed to how plants is cultured or in other word; cloned. The plant that the facilitator showed us is tobacco plant. The cloning process of the plant started with the cutting of the healthiest leaf of the plant. The leaf which has been cut into pieces were then put into a petri dish which contains suitable media. After 2-4 weeks, the callus will started to appear and it has to be transferred into a media that contains cytokinin and oksin. These two hormones function are to stimulate the growth of shoot and root of the callus. These process will enhance the production of trees (eg. banana and tobacco plants) and also help to clone endangered plants like orchids.
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| Station C- DNA Fingerprinting |
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| Gel Electrophoresis Machine |
STATION C- DNA Fingerprinting; In this section, we learnt about crime scene investigating. We learnt how to search for the real murderer just from a tiny little hair or just a drop of blood. First we have to understand about DNA and genome. DNA is soluble in water but not in alcohol. Some ethanol were added to the suspect's blood to break the cell membrane and to obtain the DNA. The DNA was then cut by restriction enzymes. Then, we were shown a gel electrophoresis machine. The machine is used to see the size of the DNA fragments. By using the machine, the DNA which is negatively charged will attracted and flow to the anode when the electricity flows through it. To see DNA, it has to be attached to a membrane and can only be seen through a film.
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| 50 litre- Stirred Tank Bioreactor machine |
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| A lab-sized Bioreactor machine |
The last station we went to is STATION D- Bioreactor; it is important because it is used to duplicates or replicates the studied cell. For example it is used in big factory to duplicates yeast or probiotics. The bioreactor provides the cells with suitable and optimum temperature, humidity, nutrients, hormones and etc. This can ensure a good condition for the cells. Without this machine, we can only use the cells that we have for laboratory use.
After being there for about half a day, we went back with more knowledge about biotechnology.
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