Seniors at St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman are gaining hands-on experience in biotechnology by mastering the use of micropipettes in their AP Biology class, under the guidance of instructor Connie Briehn. This essential laboratory skill is the foundation for several advanced experiments the students will be conducting throughout the academic year.

Micropipettes, precision instruments used to transfer minuscule amounts of liquid, are a cornerstone of modern scientific research. With their capacity to handle volumes between 1 and 1000 microliters, they are indispensable in fields like microbiology, chemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. In the classroom, students will be using these tools for at least eight laboratory experiments, including gel electrophoresis, a process used to separate and analyze DNA, RNA, or proteins based on size.

"One of the labs the students will perform is gel electrophoresis, where they will learn to load tiny wells with minute volumes of liquid to separate DNA fragments," said Briehn. "They'll be using restriction enzymes to cut DNA into segments, run the gel, and then analyze the results, simulating the process used in DNA fingerprinting."

Briehn, who previously retired from Wallace State and joined St. Bernard Prep in 2023, is passionate about providing her students with real-world lab experiences. She is thankful to Wallace State for loaning the micropipettes, as purchasing these specialized instruments would otherwise strain the school's budget.

"These pipettes cost approximately $200 each, and while we have a few on loan, we really need a dozen of our own," Briehn explained. Thanks to a generous grant from Cullman Electric Cooperative, she has already secured funding for six new micropipettes.

With her years of experience and the support of the local community, Briehn is ensuring St. Bernard Prep students gain valuable skills that will serve them well in college and future scientific careers.

For more information about St. Bernard Prep’s biology program or to learn how to support the school’s growing STEM initiatives, please call the school at 256.739.6682.