Beaver College is integrating molecular biology and biotechnology across the curriculum so that every student will have adequate background to understand developments in modern biology, medicine, and biotechnology. Electrophoresis and high speed centrifugation equipment enable students to gain experience in molecular biology in the introductory biology and in the interdisciplinary science courses taken by every student. The equipment is also being incorporated into teaching methods courses taken by elementary and secondary school teachers. Students use electrophoresis to explore the relationship between genes and gene products, and to understand how it can be used to demonstrate relationships among organisms. Students in upper level biology courses also use the equipment, along with more sophisticated electrophoretic and blotting techniques, protein purification and characterization, gene cloning, amplification, and screening, to extend their knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology. The college will contribute an amount equal to the award.
