The future of science begins in the classroom, and products that facilitate hands-on lab experiences for students are key to making that future brighter. At a time when schools are seeking to prepare students for an increasingly technical and research-driven world, the right tools can make all the difference.
This article explores how Biotium’s GelRed® and other innovative, safer reagents are transforming molecular biology education in middle and high schools. Through real-world insights from a high school science educator and a recent middle school science fair success, we’ll examine how Biotium’s products are empowering students, teachers, and the next generation of scientists.
The Need for Safe, Effective Tools in School Labs
Educators working in middle and high school science classrooms often juggle limited budgets, outdated equipment, and serious safety considerations. Traditional DNA stains like ethidium bromide pose mutagenic risks and require UV transilluminators for visualization, equipment that is costly and potentially hazardous.
In the classroom, particularly at the secondary level, educators must strike a delicate balance: maintaining scientific rigor while ensuring student safety and engagement. Hands-on learning is powerful, but only when it’s feasible and safe to implement.
Biotium’s nucleic acid gel stains offer a classroom-friendly alternative to traditional dyes. Both GelRed® Nucleic Acid Gel Stain and GelGreen® Nucleic Acid Gel Stain are:
- Non-mutagenic and environmentally safer than ethidium bromide.
- Highly sensitive, allowing for clear visualization of DNA bands.
- GelGreen® is compatible with blue light imaging systems, which are safer and more affordable than UV light equipment.
Educators value these products for their simple protocols, minimal preparation, and reliable performance. The accessibility of these reagents allows teachers to focus more on facilitating meaningful lab experiences and less on troubleshooting safety or technical issues.
In the Classroom: Insights from a High School Educator
Dr. Heather York, a biology teacher at Watkinson School, integrates Biotium’s products into her curriculum with great success. With a Ph.D. in zoology and a deep interest in field biology, she brings her enthusiasm for science into her classroom lab every day with engaging projects.
Dr. York incorporates GelRed® Prestain Plus 6X DNA Loading Dye into her course’s studies of the ecology of Wolbachia, in which the students learn core molecular biology techniques through hands-on electrophoresis labs. For many, it’s their first time using equipment like micropipettes and gel boxes. Drawing on her field biology expertise and resources provided by the Wolbachia Project at Penn State University, Dr. York designed the project to include the collection of arthropods in the field, which students then screen for the presence of Wolbachia DNA.
“Wolbachia is a bacterium capable of infecting a broad range of arthropods,” she explained, “and it’s responsible for some very interesting evolution because it affects individuals’ fertility. I’m very interested in doing fieldwork with students to capture and identify arthropods and then use PCR to see if Wolbachia sequences are present. In fact, I’ve even gotten into tardigrade biology because tardigrades are arthropod-like and can also host Wolbachia.”
The students first isolated DNA from the samples they collected and then performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify segments of the extracted DNA, targeting two specific genes: mitochondrial CO1 from the arthropod and 16S rRNA from Wolbachia. They then determined the presence or absence of amplified DNA in their samples via visualization on an agarose gel using GelRed®. Arthropod and Wolbachia DNA, if present, were distinguished based on the size or base pair (bp) length of the DNA molecule.
This integration of lab and field work allows students to engage with the full scientific process, from specimen collection to DNA analysis, and the student response has been overwhelmingly positive. Dr. York emphasizes how these tools help students connect textbook concepts to real-world applications, transforming science from something they study to something they do. Even setbacks, like gels that don’t run properly, become learning opportunities in troubleshooting and persistence.
“I’m sort of self-taught on how to run PCR,” she says. “When it doesn’t work, I tell them, ‘let’s figure out where we can tweak it.’ They see that even teachers are learning, and that’s powerful.”
Science Fair Success: Biotium in Middle School Education
In 2023, Biotium was proud to support Ruhani Singh, Jiya Kohar, and Prisha Patel, a local middle school team that placed first at the California Science and Engineering Fair.
They used GelGreen® Nucleic Acid Gel Stain to investigate the relationship between gene SLC6A4, serotonin secretion, and general mood. SLC6A4 is a gene that codes for the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) in humans, and previous medical studies have implicated changes in SERT metabolism with many different conditions, including alcoholism, clinical depression, and generalized social phobia.¹ DNA gel electrophoresis and GelGreen® were used to confirm the SLC6A4 genotype of each volunteer in their study. They found that the SLC6A4 genotype did not correlate with mental health in teenagers.
“Our project just wasn’t about some science fair we wanted to compete in; we wanted to truly help make a positive change within our own schools and community through our research,” said Prisha Patel. “Throughout our study, I learned skills that I will continue using all throughout my career as well. Our first time in a lab, our first time analyzing DNA samples, and our first time conducting a full study with human samples was an experience that taught me so much and has developed something that could help so many students when dealing with their complicated emotions.”
This victory showcases how accessible and safe reagents can empower young scientists to explore complex topics and laboratory techniques. It’s one thing to read about DNA extraction—it’s another to run your own gel electrophoresis and analyze your own results.
Early successes like these not only inspire confidence, they set the stage for lifelong engagement in science and research. For more information on their project, check out our press release.
The Bigger Picture: Cultivating the Next Generation of Scientists
Access to safe, hands-on lab tools increases student engagement and builds crucial science literacy. Students who gain early exposure to real lab techniques are better prepared for college-level coursework and future STEM careers.
Biotium is committed to supporting educators like Dr. York by offering safer, innovative, and reliable reagents that work in real classrooms. We understand that educators don’t just need high-performance products; they need ones that are accessible, affordable, and easy to integrate into their curriculum.
From responsive technical support to a growing library of resources and kits, Biotium aims to make molecular biology more approachable for teachers and students alike.
The Future is Bright!
From the buzz of a high school classroom hunting for tardigrades to a middle school team taking home science fair gold, Biotium’s products are making advanced science more accessible than ever.
If you’re an educator looking to bring more hands-on molecular biology to your classroom, Biotium is here to help. Learn more about our classroom-friendly reagents.
References
- Murphy, D. L., & Moya, P. R. (2011). Human serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) variants: their contributions to understanding pharmacogenomic and other functional G× G and G× E differences in health and disease. Current opinion in pharmacology, 11(1), 3-10.
