Students participated in a biotechnology preview day at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center to decide if this program is something they are interested in attending.  The lab work they participated in involved DNA.

Using real DNA as evidence student’s acted out a crime scene investigation and used specialized lab equipment to cut, separate and view DNA fragments to solve the crime. DNA evidence helps in criminal, missing person, mass disaster and paternity cases. 

They also isolated their own DNA from their saliva and cheek cells (no blood or pain involved) then bottled it in a cool necklace to take home and wear.  Seeing their own DNA makes the concepts of DNA structure and function more real.

The Biotech program will begin classes and accept students in the spring semester. For more information contact Dr. Fiona McAlister, Biotechnology Instructor at SOTC at 580-223-2070.

Ardmore High School students get a taste of Biotechnology as they use DNA fingerprinting to solve the case of "who done it?"  Pictured from left to right are Britt Ritter, Chase Pletcher, Sean Harris and the Ardmore Chemistry Instructor, Barbara Sumner.