Greenwood Genetic Center int roduces mobile lab as it gears up for statewide tour. As part of Keenan High School’s Summer Engineering Program, Greenwood Genetic Center’s Gene Machine made an introductory stop recently to conduct laboratory experiments with the gifted freshmen, sophomores, and juniors selected for the program. Educators from the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) presented two of the lab activities that will also be available to students when the bus begins traveling to high school classrooms across the state next month.

The Greenwood Genetic Center was awarded a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute in 2009 that allowed the GGC to acquire the mobile science laboratory. The Gene Machine is a 41–foot custom bus equipped as a state–of– the–art genetics laboratory. Beginning with the upcoming school year, the Gene Machine will travel to high schools across the state to provide students first–hand exposure to the vast technologies used in the medical genetics arena. This opportunity is provided at no cost to schools.

“Our main campus has long been a popular destination for high school class field trips and community group tours, though travel to Greenwood is often impractical for some students across South Carolina,” said Leta Tribble, PhD, director of education at GGC. “The Gene Machine provides the opportunity for all students in our state to have hands–on laboratory experience and be exposed to various career opportunities in the biotechnology and genetics fields, and we hope to fill our tour schedule soon.”

S.C. teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and schedule a Gene Machine visit or tour of the GGC campus for their students. The grant that enabled the creation of the Gene Machine also provided funding to convert existing space at the GGC into a Genetic Education Center. This refurbished space provides a dedicated site for visiting groups to attend lectures as well as participate in laboratory and computer–based genetics activities.

Teachers who schedule a mobile laboratory visit or bring their students for a tour of the Greenwood campus will be able to select from multiple laboratory modules or cases for their students to complete.

Each module includes a real–world scenario, laboratory techniques, and genetic testing activities as well as consideration of ethical implications. The Gene Machine is also available to exhibit at educational conferences and meetings.

To schedule a visit, please contact Dr. Tribble at (864) 943-4170 or toll free at (888) 442-4363.

Additional information is also available at www.ggc.org.