Dr. Melvenia Martin, Program Manager of Ochsner's Education Outreach, recently visited Ms. Hannan's Biology II AP class. The class had just performed a lab called the pGLO transformation lab, where students learn about genetic modification. In this experiment, special bacteria are modified by adding a piece of DNA that causes the bacteria to glow green and become resistant to certain antibiotics. By adding the DNA, the bacteria's genetic makeup is changed, allowing students to see how genetic engineering works. Students observed the results of the modification when the bacteria glowed bright green under a special light. Dr. Martin discussed the lab and the results with each group. 

Dr. Martin received her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Environmental Biology from Tulane University, M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Tulane University, and B.S. in Biology from Grambling State University. 

Ms. Hannan was selected this year to be a part of Oschner's teacher advisory board for their Education Outreach program.