CN News ITEM

The Joint Center for Life Sciences ("Life Center") has partnered with the Amgen Biotech Experience ("ABE"), a world-renowned science education program for middle school students, to invite middle school students into the lab and introduce them to the latest biotechnology/scientific discoveries. It aims to nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators by inviting middle school students into the lab and introducing them to the latest biotechnology/scientific discoveries. The Life Center, as the organizer of ABE in mainland China, introduced this innovative science education program to China in 2021 and conducted the third training session at Tsinghua University from August 10-12, 2022. Twenty-three high school students, two middle school students and four front-line high school biology teachers from Beijing Ninth Middle School, NPC Central School Shijingshan School, Jingshan School Sino-Ocean Branch, Beijing Jinyuan School, Beijing Thirty-Fifth Middle School and Tsinghua Affiliated High School participated in this three-day experimental experience.

On the morning of August 10, the opening ceremony was held in 306 of Modern Life Science Experimental Teaching Center of Tsinghua University. Mr. Zhang Guiyou, director of the Experimental Teaching Center, made an opening speech and elaborated on the three aspects of what is ABE project, why do ABE project and what can be felt through ABE project that life science is closely related to our study life. Through the ABE experimental experience activities, combined with their own personal feelings of doing experiments, for helping to understand the textbook knowledge, understanding the close integration of life sciences and different fields is very helpful, to help students in the future rooted in the field of life sciences, but also to improve the quality of life sciences for the whole nation in the new era to contribute.

The activity was taught by Dr. Sakurako Cui, the lecturer of ABE program, and led the students to complete experiments including plasmid extraction, nucleic acid electrophoresis detection, E. coli transformation, PCR technology, fluorescent bacteria painting, etc.; she also gave an explanation of new coronavirus and the development and application of new coronavirus vaccine in China, bringing everyone to experience the charm of cutting-edge science; the activity also arranged for the participants to visit the herbarium of Modern Life Science Experimental Teaching Center, bringing everyone to experience the charm and mystery of different biological taxa up close.

  After the experiments, Dr. Sakurako Cui reviewed and summarized the three days of lectures. At the closing ceremony, Dr. Jiang Yi, the ABE program leader, was proud and honored for the students' successful completion of the three days of molecular biology and biochemistry experiments. The three-day experience not only allowed them to learn knowledge but also techniques, and introduced the close connection between these basic experimental techniques and the cutting-edge research now being conducted in the laboratories of universities and research institutes; Amgen Vice President and General Manager of Amgen China, Xu Ailing, also sent a closing She said that Amgen has always been committed to transforming the potential of science and biotechnology into the power of innovative drugs to save lives and improve health, and the company has put this effort into science education. It is hoped that the experience will further stimulate students' interest in life science and strengthen their ambition to join biotechnology research in the future. The lead teacher of the program, Ms. Shi Baoru of Beijing Nine Middle School, also shared her experience, saying that it is a rare opportunity to enter the campus and re-learn with students, hoping that everyone can ignite the love of life sciences, and realize their dreams with this love, looking forward to the future breakthrough of 0 to 1 in China.

The three-day course passed quickly. The on-campus training was colorful, with enthusiastic participation of teachers and students and a lively and warm atmosphere. The students who completed the teaching experience were awarded certificates and had a group photo with the lecturer. The training activity ended successfully!

^{Experimental operation of trainees}

^{Selected fluorescent bacterial mapping results}

^{Results of red fluorescent protein isolation and purification experiments}

^{Herbarium Tour}

^{Speech by Vice President Xu Ailing}

^{Jiang Yi spoke at the closing ceremony}

^{Group photo of students holding certificates}