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Biotechnology encompasses “the science behind the medicine,” the tools and techniques used in medical research in the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and more. Today's students hold the promise of tomorrow’s disease interventions and cures in their hands. Biotechnology will provide them with the tools they will need.

Career opportunities in biotechnology extend from laboratory-based research to clinical diagnostics, biomanufacturing, as well as regulatory and legal affairs. The Biotechnology Competitive Event provides HOSA members with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills required in a laboratory setting. It aims to inspire members to learn more about biotechnology careers.

Biotech Competitions 2024 - 2025

ROUND 1: Written Test: 

50 multiple choice questions (60 minutes)

• Biotechnology industry practices and careers

• Biotechnology in health

• Governmental regulation of biotechnology

• Basic laboratory skills: PPE, preparing solutions (calculations, use of balance and other equipment), and pipetting

• Microbiology and cell culture

• DNA structure and analysis

• Bacterial transformation

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

• Protein structure, function, and analysis

• Immunological applications (ELISA, western blotting)

Round 2: Hands-on Skills Assessment

• Using micropipettes and transfer pipets

• Restriction digestion

• DNA gel electrophoresis

• DNA gel interpretation

• Bradford protein quantitation assay

• Bacterial transformation

• Calculation of transformation efficiency

• Qualitative ELISA

State Competitions Resources

• Sample Scenario

• Skill I Rubric - Pipets & Balance 

• Skill II Rubric - Restriction Digestion

• Skill III Rubric - DNA Gel Electrophoresis 

• Skill IV Rubric - DNA Gel Interpretation 

• Skill V Rubric - Bradford Assay 

• Skill VI Rubric - Bacterial Transformation 

• Skill VII Rubric - Calculation of Transformation 

• Skill VIII Rubric - ELISA