Free research grade biotechnology kit for students use

The Amgen Biotech Experience programme (ABE) programme has its origins in the USA, thanks to its close connection with Amgen (Applied Molecular Genetics Inc.) a global pharmaceutical company established in Thousand Oaks, California, on April 8, 1980. Amgen is a worldwide pioneer in biotechnology and is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and making biological therapeutics (medicines). Through their charitable arm, the Amgen Foundation, the ABE programme has now established in 16 countries at 27 sites. ABE is a free to schools programme that provides CPD to teachers and technicians, then schools loan scientific kit and are provided with all associated consumables by local site coordinators. Molecular biology, although we don’t call it that, is an important part of the UK National Curriculum. It is central to the topic of gene cloning at GCSE and even more relevant to parts of the A-level specifications which look in more detail at genes, genomes, gene expression and forensics. The ABE curriculum in the UK and includes laboratories for key stage 3, GCSE, A level, T level and BTEC qualifications. Beyond the curriculum, the topic underpins knowledge of future developments in how we live our lives - future medicines will rely increasingly on personalised medicines based upon knowledge of our genome, future food will see gene editing enter the food chain and environmental impacts and solving crimes rely increasingly on DNA-based approaches. It is vital that young people understand these different technologies as they will impact their lives more than ever before. This aspect of scientific literacy is a high priority for the Foundation, and so is social inclusion, and when schools are delivering these labs in their classrooms, we encourage teachers to enable as many year groups as possible to be engaged. In a textbook, restriction digestion, gel electrophoresis and the polymerase chain reaction may be viewed as dull and abstract by students, however enabling students to take a hands-on approach with research grade scientific equipment to learning techniques boosts engagement and understanding.