SALISBURY, N.C. — Gina Sloan, a Rowan-Cabarrus Community College biotechnology instructor, is helping local K-12 students see first-hand some of the laboratory techniques used in biotechnology. In fact, she is taking the lab to the students.

            Sloan is visiting local schools, giving hands-on demonstrations in extracting DNA, DNA fingerprinting and other biotechnology techniques.

            At Salisbury High School, Sloan showed students in a bio-medical technology class how to extract DNA from their mouths and determine their own genotype. At South Rowan High School, biology students used high-tech laboratory equipment and DNA samples to solve a typical crime scenario. Sloan worked with an honors biology class at West Rowan High School to analyze DNA fingerprints by gel electrophoresis.

            “It’s my goal to work with all schools in Rowan and Cabarrus counties,” Sloan said. “I provide all of the equipment and the instruction for the day.

            “Giving students hands-on experience helps them understand the fascinating career opportunities in biotechnology; the kinds of opportunities coming to this region with the opening of the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.”

            Sloan will visit a number of schools in the coming weeks and plans to schedule more hands-on demonstrations. Her current schedule includes:

		Oct. 24 at Salisbury High School – showing biology classes how to examine DNA fingerprinting and paternity;
		Oct. 26 at West Rowan High School – working with a biology class to extract DNA from bananas;
		Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Forest Park Elementary – showing students how to extract DNA from pumpkins;
		Nov. 2 and 16 at South Rowan High School – showing classes how to use fish proteins to learn about DNA transformation and bioluminescence; and
		Nov. 6 at South Rowan H.S. – working with students to extract DNA and determine their own genotype.

            “During our classes, students first practice using devices called micropipettes and loading an agarose gel,” Sloan explained. “Students are typically surprised at the minute amount of liquid needed to run the gel and analyze the results.

            “Once the students are comfortable with loading practice gels, I ask them to load DNA samples into an agarose gel in an electrophoresis chamber. Students are curious about how the gel electrophoresis works, and upon learning how an electrical current is used, they are amazed,” Sloan said.

            According to Sloan, students gain an understanding of the theory behind the lab techniques and their applications in biotechnology. Students enjoy learning about the different aspects of DNA and how DNA is used in forensics. “They’re often curious about other applications of DNA forensics, such as paternity testing and even species identification,” Sloan added.

            Sloan joined the RCCC faculty in July. She recently completed her doctoral degree studies in molecular genetics at Wake Forest University. Her graduate research focused on biofilms, complex aggregations of microorganisms involved in infectious diseases. Her research also included the development of novel vaccine candidates for whooping cough.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.