“Be careful, a PCR test is very sensitive.
The enzymes are worth a fortune and the dosages are measured in microliter, a thousandth of a liter, ”warns Laurent Fillion, director of the School of DNA, an association for the popularization of science founded fifteen years ago with the support of the agglomeration. and the University of Poitiers (Vienne).
This doctor in biology is not intended for health professionals, nor for future laboratory assistants, but for… pupils of the Saint-André high school in Niort (Deux-Sèvres).
These 1st year high school students, specializing in SVT, manipulate DNA and expensive equipment that morning.
Objective: to carry out "in real" a PCR test ("polymerase chain reaction", in English, or "polymerase chain reaction").
Three letters that resonate particularly with the news dominated by the Covid-19 crisis.
"Better understand what we talk about every day"
Used to detect positive cases for the coronavirus, this molecular biology method is also widely used to identify other pathologies, such as HIV or hepatitis.
The School of DNA relies on cystic fibrosis to detail the mechanics of these PCR tests as part of this educational workshop in schools.
" I think it's great!
It allows us to better understand this method that we hear about every day, ”says Astrid.
“It's a change from the usual practical work and distance learning!
If we follow the protocols, it's quite simple, ”says Louis.
SVT teacher Dominique Descomps sums up the interest of this animation: “We cannot carry out these manipulations in high school, we have neither the material nor the budget.
But, there, the students are actors, they even have the opportunity to practice speaking because they have to present their results.
"Equipped with a multitude of tubes and pipettes, the high school students in white coats recap the operation:" You have to take saliva to extract DNA by breaking its membrane with detergents and then use solvents to get rid of it. of RNA.
"
The results of their PCR tests, read under a powerful ultraviolet machine, must reveal (or not) the presence of genetic mutations within the same family.
"You are looking for an error of three nucleotides, the basic element of DNA," Laurent Fillion reminds them.
This is the equivalent of three letters lost in 160 dictionaries.
"
"I want to work in genetic research"
This workshop costs nearly a hundred euros per student, calculates the director of the School of DNA.
“The consumable, the material, the permanent staff of the association,” he lists.
Fortunately, the University of Poitiers allows us to benefit from wholesale prices and we rely in part on public subsidies.
These projects allow us to project students into the world of science, to show them the importance of research and the usefulness of scientific data in the face of false information.
"
At the back of the class, Anthony handles a micropipette and his own preparations with seriousness and thoroughness.
“I like it a lot, there is nothing better!
I registered directly for the workshop when we were told about it, loose this high school student.
Later, I want to work in genetic research.
And find vaccines!
"
