On April 19, the Brain+ Club of Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School successfully concluded its themed experimental program “Gene Editing: The Molecular Scissors.”  Club members visited the ATLATL Innovation R&D Laboratory, where they experienced firsthand the transformative power of Nobel Prize–level technologies and embarked on an in depth exploration of gene editing—from theoretical learning to hands on practice.

At the beginning of the activity, students toured this internationally oriented, high end research platform, gaining an intuitive and comprehensive understanding of its advanced scientific facilities and its highly collaborative research model. Guided by professional instructors, students then systematically studied CRISPR gene editing technology—widely known as the “genetic scissors.” Through clear explanations, they learned about its revolutionary principles and its broad applications in areas such as disease treatment and agricultural breeding, building a solid and integrated framework of life science knowledge.

Following the theoretical sessions, students entered the laboratory with great enthusiasm. Under the guidance of laboratory professionals, they carried out a series of core experimental procedures in a standardized manner, including micropipette operation, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis. When clear DNA bands appeared on the electrophoresis results, students were able to truly appreciate the power and precision of modern gene editing technologies. “Previously, I had only learned about PCR techniques from textbooks. After performing the experiment myself, I finally understood how much rigor and concentration every single step requires,” one student reflected. This gene editing experiment not only strengthened students’ professional laboratory skills but also ignited a deeper passion for exploration and research in the field of life sciences.

This was not the first time the Brain+ Club explore cutting edge technology beyond the classroom. Earlier, club members visited the Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for a distinctive study tour that combined advanced technology with academic depth.   

At the Engineering Research Center for Ocean Intelligent Systems (Ministry of Education), students closely observed various intelligent unmanned surface vessels that have already been applied in the tourism, education and maritime sectors. These technologically sophisticated devices transformed abstract concepts from textbooks—such as artificial intelligence and automatic control—into tangible and intelligent systems, leaving students deeply impressed. With Professor Liu’s clear and engaging explanations, complex system architectures and core technologies became accessible and easy to understand, helping students understand the underlying technical principles better.  

After the activities, Club President Li Zewei shared that the Brain+ Club remains firmly focused on the frontiers of science and technology. Within the school, the club makes full use of existing resources to advance exploration and research in areas such as brain science, EEG signals, neural networks, and artificial intelligence. Beyond campus, the club actively builds bridges to leading research institutions, guiding students into top tier innovation centers for immersive learning experiences. Through these efforts, Brain+ Club aims to help every member identify their interests, continuously challenge themselves, and grow through hands on scientific exploration.