Blogs

An established partnership with the Kentucky Innovation Network has led to a new collaboration. This March, the Von Allen Center will apply to renew their University Center grant through the Economic Development Administration ( https://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunities/ ) for another 5 years. Bluegrass Community and Technical College will receive a small subaward to provide training for entry-level life-science technicians. Read more

The formal opening of the Austin Community College Bioscience Incubator occurred January 31. 2017. It was a well-attended ceremony and students from the Biotechnology Program were on hand to demo and explain equipment in the facility. Dr. Tyler Drake, Director of the facility already has several companies who would like to lease bench space. The Biotechnology Program plans to offer biomanufacturing this Summer in the facility and the AC2 Bio-Link Regional Center plans to start offering workshops in emerging biotech areas such as stem cell cultivation. Read more

I came across this article today in GEN --and to me its a sign, the tip of the iceberg, of what is going to be developed in the future, and be available to the public (and therefore, grocery stores everywhere)--- "New HIV Self-Test Wins $2.6M Gates Foundation Grant Atomo Diagnostics has won a $2.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation toward developing a rapid diagnostic test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) designed to enable people in developing countries to test themselves. By developing an affordable, reliable, and simple HIV self-test, Atomo and the Foundation reason, patient populations... Read more

Stephanie Stoelb, Instructional Specialist at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and AC2 Project Manager, along with her two research students, Monsi Serrano and Joe Basel, attended the 2016 IdeaFestival in Louisville, Kentucky. Here is her take on the experience:

“Last week, I purchased a bottle of saliva off of the internet” began one of the morning sessions last week at IdeaFestival 2016 in Louisville, KY. The audience continued to listen as Heather Dewey-Hagborg, a Chicago based artist, discussed her creative, yet sometimes controversial work as she explores the intersection between art and science. She is often referred to as... Read more

New incoming students to the biotechnology program are presented with their white laboratory coats. This signifies their commitment to ethical laboratory practices. The student's name is monogrammed into the fabric above the breast pocket on the left side of the jacket. On the right side, the biotechnology logo is attached, which bears the quintessential double helix and the statement, "Tomorrow's Careers Today." The logo was designed by a former biotechnology student, Scott Brasfield, as part of his required community service. Attached to the left sleeve is the BCTC logo.

The white coat originated in scientific laboratories and has been... Read more

I attended the ASMCUE conference in N Bethesda, MD in July. Below are some of the notes that I look at the sessions I attended. This meeting great for those wanting to learn about new teaching strategies. Though its an ASM meeting, the materials can be applied to many different science classes, not just microbiology. I got a lot of great ideas, below are just a few.

The opening keynote speaker was Eric Brown talking about FDA Food Safety

Genomics in food safety. Now use whole genome to trace food borne illness; have a library of... Read more

I don’t know how many of you remember Heroes, but all we had to do was save the cheerleader and we’d save the world. Well, I think if we become better science teachers –we could possibly save a student or students who do end up saving the world. And after attending SABER, Society for the Advancement of Educational Research, I think a lot of faculty feel the same way, and are doing something about it! Community College Biological Educational Research (CCBER) paid my way to the meeting, which is traditionally held at the University of Minnesota, the home of the... Read more

This summer two Del Mar College students are working at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), which is part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) in Berkeley, CA. John F. Ramirez and Lorie Leyva are working on projects that involve E. coli membrane protein expression, isopentenol tolerance, production, and secretion for use as a potential biofuel. Some membrane proteins improve isopentenol production and a knockout strain of E. coli also improves membrane protein expression. John and Lorie are also testing the effects of multiple plasmid transformations have on the growth dynamics of their production strains of E. coli.

John... Read more

Dr. Thomas Tubon is at Bluegrass Community and Technical College this week to present his awesome workshop, The Stem Cell Teacher Academy . This is the second day. Most all the participants are from local high schools in BCTC's service area, with a few exceptions. However, there is tremendous diversity amongst them: