ДНК ГЕЛ ЕЛЕКТРОФОРЕЗА - МЕТОД, СВЪРЗАН С PCR, ВКЛЮЧЕН В ОБУЧЕНИЕТО ПО БИОЛОГИЯ И ПО ХИМИЯ В ПОДГОТВИТЕЛЕН КУРС НА БЪЛГАРСКИ ЕЗИК ЗА ЧУЖДЕСТРАННИ СТУДЕНТИ

Very often, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology are part of the essence of research methods. Continuously developing technologies with applications in Medicine, Dental medicine and Pharmacy attract students' attention. The inclusion of new innovative technologies and old but well established methodologies in the educational programs in Specialized Language Courses for foreign students at Medical University is well received by the students. The intertwining of various fields of science such as Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular biology in research methods intensifies their interest. The benefits of learning new biotechnologies and research approaches during training are beyond any doubt. In this way, students gain a real understanding of the application of established technologies and methods applied in medicine and pharmacy and their enormous importance in diagnosis and treatment. Our long experience shows that an interdisciplinary approach to chemistry and biology education helps to facilitate the learning of the material and to consolidate new knowledge. The subject of this study is DNA gel electrophoresis. This is a method for separating macromolecules, the next step after the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Fragments synthesized by PCR are proven and separated by gel electrophoresis. The topic is included in the curriculum of foreign students from the Preparatory Course at the Medical University of Plovdiv. During the lesson, an interdisciplinary approach is applied with the help of chemistry and biology teachers. Students prepare individual presentations in advance. Different cases of medical practice and curious facts are discussed, which keep students' attention. The terms are introduced at an affordable level, accompanied by richly illustrated diagrams showing the steps of the method. Although the students of the Preparatory course do not have long language practice and a rich stock of words and terminology, this method of teaching helps to make the learning material easier to understand and learn. The interest in the subject is heightened. For students who are interested in experimental work, visits to the University's science laboratories and familiarization with the equipment are provided. They have the opportunity to join special courses in the Departments of Biology and Chemistry under the guidance of highly qualified specialists. More advanced students, together with their teachers, can prepare for research and participate in scientific forums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]