Description

Can we edit DNA to cure disease – and should we?

Step into the world of genome editing and experience the science behind CRISPR/Cas9 firsthand. In this cutting-edge VCE Biology workshop, students simulate gene editing by programming Cas9 to target specific DNA sequences, then analyse the results using gel electrophoresis.

Students will explore how CRISPR works at a molecular level, gain hands-on experience with micropipettes, restriction enzymes, and DNA analysis techniques, and investigate real-world applications and limitations of gene editing – from curing inherited diseases to modifying crops. Ethical implications are explored through discussion and evidence-based reasoning, supporting key learning outcomes from VCE Biology Unit 2 and Unit 4.