Hands-On Biotech Opens Doors for Students in Ireland
September 22, 2026
Every year, secondary school students studying biology from schools across Ireland take part in an Advanced Genetics workshop at University College Dublin (UCD) through ABE. Students explore genetic engineering and biology through hands-on experiments, including bacterial transformation, gel electrophoresis, and micropipetting. The activities give…
Have an ABE story to share?
Tell us about your classroom experiences, program updates, events, and accomplishments.
In 1989, during the early days of biotechnology, Southern California high school teacher Hugh Nelson had a summer internship at Amgen to learn more about the industry. Eager to bring what he learned back to his classroom, Nelson paired up with Amgen scientists Rick Jacobsen, Steve Elliott, and… Read More
When the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) first started in 1990, teachers like Hugh Nelson walked students through the steps for micropipetting through instructions on an overhead projector. While the technique and equipment for micropipetting has not changed much in 30 years, teachers now have new… Read More
As part of Singapore’s heightened safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, schools there shifted to full home-based learning for 1 month. Though challenging, the pandemic created an opportunity for ABE Singapore to explore new ways to bring biotechnology to its students.… Read More
It’s all about action. In the past few months, the ABE Equity, Access, and Engagement working group has been moving forward with systemic strategies to dismantle structural racism within and surrounding the ABE program. The working group has identified four key challenges to focus on immediately,… Read More
This month, we want to give a shout-out to one of our most passionate ABE and STEM ambassadors. Dr. Candice Johnson comes to our program with deep experience in genomics research, host-pathogen interactions and vaccine development, and even a stint working in the US Food and Drug Administration… Read More
Hugh Nelson, a biology teacher at Newbury Park High School in Southern California, worked with leaders at Amgen to develop the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) in 1990. Even his earliest students remember how Nelson thoughtfully engaged them in the sciences, making them excited about biotechnology.… Read More
Today, the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) kicks off a celebration of its 30th anniversary. To honor this milestone, we have created new content to reflect on the past, present, and future of this innovative program to bring hands-on biotechnology to secondary school students. In this new… Read More
In an era where a virus has upended our lives and harmed many, it’s easy to forget that viruses can also be a force for good. Researchers have recently been experimenting with harnessing several virus’s natural characteristics to treat conditions such as sickle cell disease.Sickle cell disease (SCD… Read More