Explore the diverse and growing field of Biotechnology this summer! The field of biotechnology uses living organisms or their parts to create products or processes. It is used in many fields, including agriculture and medicine. During this one-week residential program, you will work with green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP was discovered in the Aequorea victoria jellyfish and developed for use in research by a team of scientists who won the 2008 Nobel Prize for their work.
The Stony Brook University Pre-College Summer — Biotechnology program is designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in learning more about the intersection between biology and technology and the uses for that research. During this experiential program, you will be working GFP and its DNA and will learn how to modify the sequence to change the color of the protein, genetically modify bacteria to produce the protein, and isolate if from bacteria for observation.
You will be introduced to a variety of biotechnology laboratory techniques through both lectures and hands-on laboratory activities. You will:
- Isolate DNA and modify the DNA sequence for green fluorescent protein using Polymerase Chain Reaction.
- Perform common biotechnology techniques including bacterial transformation and agarose gel electrophoresis.
- Genetically modify bacteria to produce green fluorescent protein.
- Purify green fluorescent protein using various techniques including chromatography and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis.
To be accepted into this program, you must be a rising junior or senior in good academic standing. For 2025, this program is open only to US residents between the ages of 15 and 17.
This course is offered during:
Session 2: July 13 - 18, 2025
Program Cost: $2,250 ($50 application fee)
A limited number of scholarships are available to offset the program costs for students with demonstrated need. The Scholarships are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Application Deadlines:
Application Opens: December 13, 2024
Early Action*: March 7, 2025
Application Closes: May 30, 2025
*Apply by the early action deadline and receive a $100 discount on the program fee.