The BioFUNdamentals to GENEius BIOlogic Program comprises two distinct learning trajectories: the BioFUNdamentals Pathway (including Jr. BioFUNdamentals), offering introductory to intermediate concepts, and the advanced GENEius BIOlogic Pathway. These pathways are designed to cultivate bio-literacy within our community, imparting fundamental hands-on and critical thinking skills crucial for navigating the rapidly growing number of biotechnology products in our daily lives and for those who want to enter the biotech workforce.
For individuals with a deeper interest in the technological applications of biology, particularly the creation of new technologies through biological engineering, the GENEius BIOlogic Pathway offers comprehensive instruction.
Check the Memberships tab and our Calendar to join the current classes.
Our BioFUNdamentals program introduces students to biology as a technology. People have used biology as technology for centuries, from fermenting foods to producing medicines. Biotechnology products are already in our lives, and understanding the science behind them helps us make informed decisions about how we use them. This three-unit series takes students on a complete journey from learning how to use foundational lab tools to programming microorganisms as microbial factories.
Unit 1: The Toolset (Essential Lab Skills)
Before students can engage in BioMaking projects, they must master the tools of the trade. In this introductory unit, students step into the lab as working technicians:
Microscopy & Cell Analysis: Hands-on operation of compound and stereo microscopes to look at different samples.
Measurements & Pipetting: Students learn to use micropipettes and master working with volumes smaller than a drop of water
Using Devices that help us separate tiny molecules: Exploring molecular separation using gel electrophoresis, solutions, and paper chromatography.
Unit 2: Molecular Machines (DNA, Enzymes & PCR)
Students dive deep into how cells work utilizing 3D models and real molecular biology experiments:
DNA Extraction & Structural Physics: Isolate real genomic DNA and investigate double-helix mechanics using thermal-fluorescent blue light technology.
Thermal Cycling & PCR: Program real PCR thermal cyclers to copy DNA, the exact technology used in medical forensics and disease diagnostics.
Cell-Free Gene Expression: Utilize cutting-edge cell-free technology to produce glowing proteins from DNA instructions in real time.
Enzymatic Digestion & Human Genotyping: Use restriction enzymes ("molecular scissors") and high-resolution gel electrophoresis in a capstone class to analyze personal DNA samples and find out if they are supertasters.
Unit 3: Microbial Factories
In this unit, students harness the power of microorganisms to design, program, and produce biological solutions to real-world problems:
Microbial Culturing & Isolation: Learn to grow and isolate microorganisms
Genetic Transformation: Perform heat-shock transformations to program a microbe with new DNA to manufacture useful products.
Selective Pressures & Antibiotic Assays: Use bacterial resistance to antibiotics to select for successfully programmed microorganisms.
BioArt & Creative Synthesis: Merge biology with design by harvesting living bacterial color palettes to create bio-materials and living agar art.
Program Pathways & Outcomes
For Jr. BioExplorers (Ages 7–12): Builds tactile confidence, laboratory safety habits, and an intuitive grasp of how microscopic systems shape the visible world.
For High School Prep (Ages 13+): Directly complements AP Biology standards (Units 6 & 8) and provides the practical wet-lab portfolio needed to excel in science fair competitions, biotech internships, and university labs.
For individuals with a deeper interest in the technological applications of biology, particularly the creation of new technologies through biological engineering, the GENEius BIOlogic Pathway will offer comprehensive instruction. This program is currently in development.