Summer Springboard
Biotechnology
IN BERKELEY
STEP INTO THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE — ENGINEER MOLECULES, CONDUCT REAL EXPERIMENTS, AND UNLOCK THE POWER OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN BERKELEY
Biotechnology @ Berkeley
- Create a molecule and test its biological effects in a real university lab setting.
- Learn from UC Berkeley researchers and biotech professionals.
- Explore cutting-edge topics like CRISPR, gene editing, and synthetic biology.
- Gain hands-on experience using professional lab equipment and techniques.
- Build your own experimental design and carry it through to conclusion.
- Discover careers in biotech through guest speakers and site visits.
Summer Springboard
Biotechnology
About This Course
Students in Biotech in Berkeley will explore environmental biotechnology and the discovery of antibiotics from soil microbes.
In this course, students will learn how to isolate and test whether microbes found in soil can produce the next generation of antibiotics. They will experience this fun introduction to microbiology, the scientific process, and modern laboratory techniques while also exploring some activities to more easily discover proteins and how the use of artificial intelligence is changing scientific study.
Students will also explore the CRISPR Revolution: From Discovery to Application. They will re-trace the steps of scientists who found and developed this groundbreaking technology used to modify DNA in genomes.
Students will work to understand the fundamentals of CRISPR engineering at a molecular level and apply it with hands-on labs. They will perform sample collection, data analysis, and work with fluorescent proteins in a scientific process using sophisticated lab tools.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
In this course, students will explore the fascinating world of microbiology, modern laboratory techniques, and the scientific process. They’ll work with cutting-edge lab tools as they extract, analyze, and manipulate DNA with the revolutionary CRISPR technology, a revolutionary technology that’s changing the world. Re-trace the steps of the pioneers who unleashed the CRISPR Revolution and gain an understand of the fundamentals of CRISPR engineering at a molecular level and apply your newfound skills in hands-on labs. Work on new and cutting edge techniques for protein discovery and how the use of artificial intelligence will grow in this exciting field!
Career Exploration
Students in this program will spend a day inside Thermofisher Scientific meeting with industry professionals, exploring cutting edge technology and have the opportunity to experience hands on laboratory experimentation. They’ll also get a chance to tour the Innovative Genomics Institute where award-winning and leading research in CRISPR technology is happening. This course provides a wide range of hands-on learning and professional networking that will help set your student up for future success.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“It was a great opportunity for me to further explore a potential career path for me while also having a ton of fun. I believe wholeheartedly that this experience transformed me for the better.”
-Skye W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Biotechnology
Meet Your Instructor
Luis holds his PhD in Microbiology from UC Berkeley. He received his Bachelors in Microbiology and Chemistry from University of Puerto Rico. He is currently a microbial genomics and structural biology research fellow at Monash University in Australia where he is working with a group pioneering the exporation of CRISPR-Cas and other innovative immune systems. His role involves the strategic integration of laboratory skills and ecosystem-scale genomics to explore the untapped potential of bacteria, archaea, and mobile genetic elements.
His PhD thesis focuses on reconstructing genomes from natural ecosystems to provide insights into previously unknown and little-known bacteria, archaea, and mobile genetic elements. Luis uses a combination of structural biology and ecosystem-scale genomics to interrogate the metabolic capacities of these microbes but also harness their novel proteins for biotechnological applications such as genome editing, novel antibiotics, and new drugs.
DR. LUIS VALENTIN ALVARADO
“I enjoyed the Biotechnology class and I liked my instructor, Luis, a lot. The excursion to Thermo Fisher was fun and I learned many new things.”
– Ayaka D. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Biotechnology
Dates & Tuition
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| Session 2: June 22 – July 4, 2025 |
| Session 4: July 6 – July 18, 2025 |
| Session 6: July 20 – August 1, 2025 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
| Course Supplement: $250 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Berkeley |
| State: California |
| Campus: Berkeley |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, NYSID and UW Foster which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.