Year 12 students have been studying genetics in the new Biology syllabus. Part of this new
syllabus, requires students to undertake a depth study. Students travelled to a genetics
laboratory at the School of Biology, Macquarie University on Tuesday 18th February.

Students listened to lectures about how geneticists work in the area of conservation biology
focusing on shark conservation. They then completed experiments to extract DNA from
sharks, sequenced the bases, and then used this DNA in electrophoresis machines to get a
DNA profile. Students thoroughly enjoyed working in the laboratory and they are to be
congratulated for their enthusiasm and mature application.

Students will now be analysing this data back at school to compare the shark species
identified and to relate this to whether shark nets work in targeting specific species.