Biotechnology provides the tools and techniques for modern pharmaceutical research and drug development. Students following the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) programme explore the steps involved in creating biotechnology therapies. The programme is designed to inspire interest and develop skills in biotechnology. It provides professional learning opportunities and resources to support teachers, technicians and students in the use of ABE practical kit, resources and curriculum. It includes, free to schools:
CPD for school and college teachers and science technicians
loan of research-grade lab equipment so that students can explore methods that scientists use to create biotechnology medicines
detailed teacher and student guides
hands-on molecular biology student activities matched with key stage 4 and post-16 specifications including GCSE, A level, T level and BTec
practical activities suitable for key stage 3 students
teaching approaches that can help students to understand how biotechnology impacts on people's lives.
How does the ABE programme work and how can your school participate?
The ABE programme is international. Each year more than 90,000 students participate. The University of Hertfordshire coordinates the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) UK programme. The UK hubs for professional development and kit loan are located in Cambridge, Hatfield, Hull, Norwich and Kent.
This fully-funded initiative is designed to inspire curiosity and enhance expertise in biotechnology for students aged 14-18. By participating, your school will benefit from free equipment loans and free training. Research shows that students participating in the ABE programme demonstrate increased interest, confidence, and performance in science and biotechnology.
Every year, we deliver training (CPD) to teachers and technicians of participating schools at our hubs. To loan the kit. the participating teacher and technician attend course 1 which is two days long. Teachers attend the first day and technicians attend both day 1 and 2. Course 2 is an extension course for those who have already attended course 1 and provides instruction on performing extra labs at your school. The courses usually run at the end of the summer term but we sometimes run extra sessions at other times of year depending on demand. The CPD dates and booking links are published within the Find out about ABE CPD section on this webpage.
Keep up to date about the ABE programme through our regular newsletter or to access more information about the programme, access this ABE factsheet.
Find out what the ABE programme offers for teaching molecular biology and biotechnology, including free kit loans to participating schools.
The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) provides free to schools and colleges: CPD for biology teachers and technicians; loan of research grade lab equipment so that students can carry out practical biotechnology activities; and teaching and learning resources. It is relevant to A level, T level and key stage 4, and is used in some schools with key stage 3 students to introduce molecular biology and practical techniques.
Explore our resources
Log in to view our AMGEN Biotech Experience Resources. Details are given to attendees on training courses.
ABE is expanding to reach an additional 180,000 students across 27 Amgen communities around the world over the next two years, bringing the Amgen Foundation's commitment to the program to $50M+ to date, and the cumulative program reach to 1.2M students globally.
The UK ABE programme is part of a global initiative that provides research-grade equipment loans, curriculum frameworks and training for teachers and technicians that enable students to engage in hands-on biotech experiments that would otherwise remain beyond reach for many schools. The renewed funding commitment also supports new ABE program sites in Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.
The Amgen Biotech Experience Master Teacher Fellowship is a stipended year-long professional experience, with benefits including technical curriculum advisement from subject matter experts. Grant applications for the 2024/25 cycle, for all teachers with three or more years experience in our ABE programme, were submitted by 21 October 2024 and announcements will be made soon to those who were awarded this prestigious fellowship. Look our for next year's application window, this is a great opportunity to develop your expertise in an area of personal interest in the biosciences and contribute to the development of ABE programme and resources.
Find out about ABE CPD
Our CPD develops participants’ knowledge of biotechnology theory, technical and practical skills, including restriction enzyme digestion, ligation reactions and agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, DNA profiling and PCR (polymerase chain reaction). It is practical – offering first-hand experience of activities that students will undertake, including producing a functional protein from genetically modified bacteria.
We are pleased to share details for Summer 2025 CPD, which can be booked through Eventbrite by clicking the links in the schedule below. If you have any queries in this regard, please contact stem@herts.ac.uk.
*Please note, Course 1 at MidKent College and University of Hull will utilise MiniOne kit and offer a slightly longer Day 1 rather than a separate Day 2 for technicians.
Course 1 - Introduction to DNA manipulation (day 1 for teachers and technicians, day 2 for technicians)
Our termly online network meetings are a chance to keep updated about programme developments and share practice and are held via Zoom.
Wednesday 20 November 16.00 - 17.00
Course 2 of our training programme introduces the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to your skill set, along with the wonderful Biorad PCR song (who could forget!?). However, during this intensive CPD day, we don't get chance to show you how this can be adapted for use with MiniOne. During our next Network meeting we'll demonstrate all you need to know to have this opportunity available to you during your ABE kit loan. We'll even talk about the International Space Station and some programme news. You don't want to miss it!
Kit loan from the 5 hubs will continue in the 2024-25 academic year for schools where staff have attended ABE training in 2024.
All schools that borrow kit must complete a risk assessment in advance of the loan. Please check current CLEAPSS guidance for updates. Schools that wish to borrow kit, subject to the above, please complete the school planning form for 2024-25
A signed Health & Safety and Insurance advice form will need to be returned prior to borrowing the kit: H&S and Insurance advice form.
An important reminder that the kit comprises the equipment to run the labs with 12 pairs of students - we assume that your students will work in pairs. We can provide reagents and consumables for you to run the labs multiple times to accommodate more students, however the amount of equipment in the kit does not change.
Advisory note for Android users with regard to setting up the MiniOne PCR system: It has been brought to our attention that some Android/Fire tablet users are experiencing difficulties in accessing the MiniOne app to support set up of the MiniOne kit due to version control issues in the software. The app is in the midst of a major re-write to accommodate significant demands and changes requested by Google, with a new version anticipated to be available in the Play Store by the end of March 2025. In the meantime, two solutions have been advised:
The iOS app is working and can be downloaded from the Apple Store.
The Android app can be downloaded directly from the MiniOne website. This option seems to be the solution for most Android users, but please do get in touch if you are still experiencing difficulties by emailing stem@herts.ac.uk.
Your phone may ask that you select a program to download the app, choose one that works for you (Chrome, ES file explorer, etc).
It may also alert you that you are installing an app from an unknown source, and request that you change the security settings on your phone to allow the installation.
You may experience a pop-up warning stating that MiniOne App is Blocked by Google Play Protect. Click Install Anyway.
This app requires access to your SD card in order to store PCR protocols, and access to Bluetooth in order to connect to the PCR device.
LabXchange is a free science education platform, created at Harvard University with support from the Amgen Foundation, that provides a wealth of teaching and learning resources including information, video material, interactive content and lab simulations on topics that include genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology; evaluation; current research; scientific method; and STEM careers.
Schools implement the Amgen Biotech Experience in different ways. We are always delighted to hear about your experiences of ABE and its impact at your school or college.
If you would be willing to share a short case study (500 words and a photograph) of an ABE activity at your school for use on our website, in a future newsletter, or as a basis for discussion then we’d love to hear from you.
Please email stem@herts.ac.uk. It’s really helpful for our centre staff and other schools to hear real-life feedback.
Highlighting ABE impact - about the series, filming guidelines and requirements
What is the series?
The series comprises short films where ABE teachers/students explain their experiences of working with the ABE programme
Filming guidelines
Content should be filmed portrait, using a phone (as you would expect to see content for TikTok & Instagram Reels filmed)
Ensure you are in the middle of the frame and leave space round the edge, in case of needing to crop or zoom in later
Ensure you have good lighting (light comes from behind the camera, directly onto your face)
Ensure the background is quiet and neutral, but it does not have to be plain
Videos should answer the questions using full sentences i.e. “I’ve enjoyed my experience with the Amgen Biotech Experience program because…”
Video responses can be done in multiple takes as we can edit them together. However, please ensure that the whole answer stays under 1 minute
Do not add any graphics to the video or special effects
If language in the video is NOT English, please send an English transcript for captions
