Join us for Hands-on Workshops at CASE Palm Springs!

Are you heading to CASE Palm Springs this October? Come join us as we delve into two exciting workshops that cover cutting-edge lab techniques and real-world scenarios! We will discuss topics such as Cancer and Disease detection, utilzing skills such as microscopy, PCR, and electrophoresis.

1. Follow that Flush: Using Biotechnology for Early Disease Detection: Wastewater testing has become an important tool for public health, giving scientists a way to track the presence of specific diseases within a community. In this hands-on workshop, participants will get to step into the role of disease detectives, learning how biotechnology helps protect our health and safety. Participants will use gel electrophoresis to test simulated water samples for pathogens such as E. coli and Norovirus. By simulating real-world disease surveillance, participants will gain experience with essential biotech techniques while discovering how these tools are applied to monitor community health. The workshop also shows how wastewater testing can provide early warnings of outbreaks, offering valuable insights that guide public health responses. By the end, participants will not only understand the science behind this powerful approach but also see its direct impact on keeping communities safe.
2. Cancer Investigators: Cancer is responsible for nearly one in four deaths in the United States, but thanks to advances in biomedical research, scientists are uncovering more and more about how cancer differs from normal, healthy cells. This interactive workshop invites participants to step into the role of biomedical researchers, using modern laboratory tools to investigate the hallmarks of cancer. Participants will begin by constructing a genetic pedigree for a family suspected of carrying Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a hereditary condition linked to cancer risk. Using agarose gel electrophoresis, participants will analyze enzymatically digested DNA samples as a diagnostic tool. The workshop continues with an exploration of cell morphology, comparing prepared slides of normal and cancer cells under the microscope. Finally, participants will examine simulated DNA sequencing autorads of p53 “hot spot” regions, identifying mutations that play a critical role in cancer development. Through this series of engaging activities, participants will gain hands-on experience with core biotechnology techniques while deepening their understanding of how genetic mutations and cellular changes drive cancer and how research can lead the way toward improved detection and treatment.

Check out our workshop schedule below and come visit us at CASE Palm Springs!