3 ideas for biotech lab practicals based on real-world challenges

Designing engaging, relevant lab practicals is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — parts of teaching biotechnology. 

Here are three examples you can adapt for your classroom, inspired by educators who’ve shared their experiences with us.

1. Human Health: Diagnosing Infectious Disease

Inspired by: Monica Norby, University of North Dakota
From Virtual Labs to Hands-on Learning

Monica Norby and her colleagues created a hands-on molecular biology course centred around infectious disease. Instead of abstract exercises, students worked through real-life diagnostic scenarios, learning to extract DNA, perform PCR, and analyse gel electrophoresis results in the context of detecting pathogens.

By the end of the course, students could simulate testing for infectious agents — a powerful way to connect molecular techniques to public health.

• Try this: Have students investigate mock clinical samples for the presence of a pathogen using PCR. You can choose targets like viral DNA or antibiotic resistance genes.
  
• Skills covered: DNA extraction, PCR, diagnostics, gel interpretation.

2. Conservation: Detecting Disease in Bees

Inspired by: Dr. Elizabeth Duncan, University of Leeds
Protecting Desert Bees: Identifying Nosema Infections in Honey Bees

Bees are essential pollinators, and their health is a growing concern for ecosystems worldwide. Dr. Elizabeth Duncan developed a molecular biology practical where students extracted DNA from honey bees to test for the presence of Nosema — a microsporidian parasite linked to colony collapse.

This lab gave students first-hand experience with real conservation challenges and introduced them to how DNA-based diagnostics can support ecological monitoring.

• Try this: Source insect samples (or simulated DNA extracts) and test for the presence of Nosema or other environmental markers.
  
• Skills covered: Sample prep, parasite detection, PCR, data interpretation.

3. Biodiversity: DNA Barcoding of Local Species

Inspired by: BeeCode Berlin
DNA Barcoding of Honeybees

BeeCode Berlin ran an outreach project where high school students used DNA barcoding to study honeybee populations. By analysing genetic markers (such as the CO1 gene), students were able to distinguish between different bee lineages and contribute to a broader citizen science effort.

This type of project is ideal for sparking curiosity and introducing students to bioinformatics and real-world biodiversity monitoring.

• Try this: Have students barcode local insect or plant species and use online tools like BOLD or BLAST to identify them.
  
• Skills covered: DNA extraction, CO1 PCR, sequencing prep, bioinformatics.

These stories show how biotechnology teaching doesn’t have to rely on hypothetical lab scenarios. By connecting molecular techniques to real-world challenges, from disease diagnosis to conservation, students gain a deeper appreciation of the science and its impact.

Are you planning a practical PCR lab like these? We’d love to hear about it — or help you get started. Please let us know what other resources, advice, and tips and tricks for using Bento Lab that you would like us to produce in the future!