On Monday the Year 12 ATAR Human Biology students attended the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. They were involved in their Next Gen Program that aims to engage, educate and inspire the next generation of medical researchers.

The students were searching for mutations with Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They first discussed PCR and played a competitive game to cement their understanding of the PCR process. After this the students were granted access to a wet lab where they set up a PCR reaction to amplify potentially mutated BRAF genes of three patients, followed by electrophoresis to visualise the outcome. Students learnt first-hand how advances in research can directly affect the lives of patients.