Amgen biotechnology pilot program a success for FHS students
Courtesy Steven Geddes
Teacher, Amgen Biotech Summer Experience 2016

The week of June 20th Fillmore High School completed a successful Amgen biotechnology pilot program, the “Amgen Biotech Summer Experience” (ABSE). ABSE serves incoming freshman students from diverse backgrounds who are preparing for their first year at Fillmore High School. The intensive course lasts five full days, during which students are introduced to biotechnology theory, practice, and laboratory techniques.

In a safe and controlled laboratory setting, students used sophisticated procedures (including the use of micropipettes, gel electrophoresis, gene cloning, transforming bacteria with recombinant plasmids, and verifying results using column chromatography) to produce bacterial cultures that glow with a red fluorescent protein (rfp) normally found in sea anemones. Using recombinant DNA in bacteria for rfp production reflects, albeit on a smaller scale, the process used by Amgen in its production of human insulin for the treatment of illnesses, such as diabetes.

ABSE was a fun and productive learning experience for everyone involved. Our 28 students completed the program with fantastic results. Throughout the week, they received help from four well-trained and effective incoming sophomores, Ariana Schieferle, Mireya Avila, Savanna Garcia, and James Chandler. Carol Fujita, a former AP Biology teacher and current Amgen Biotech Experience site coordinator, provided instruction and distribution of equipment and materials. Karin Steinhauer provided much-needed technical and distribution support throughout the week. Leading up to the ABSE week, FHS biology teacher Nichia Huxtable was not only crucial to bringing ABSE to the high school, she also provided the classroom space for the program. Fillmore Middle School’s eighth grade science teachers, Emily DuBois and Ashley McClain, were instrumental in providing incoming freshman students an opportunity to apply for ABSE. Finally, FHS Principal Tom Ito supported the program throughout its inception and execution.

Ultimately, this experience offered students who wouldn’t otherwise have been exposed to sophisticated biotechnology an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a challenging classroom laboratory, which will directly and positively impact their ability to engage in their future college and career pathways.