A career in biotechnology can take you to university laboratories, small technology start-ups or some of the biggest pharmaceutical or energy companies in the world. At the NSLC on Biotechnology, you will go behind-the-scenes at some of our country’s most advanced research labs and discover what it takes to have a successful career on the cutting-edge of science and technology.
Program Highlights
DNA manipulation labs
Extract DNA using restriction enzymes and PCR techniques, then learn how to paste fragments back together.
Gain engineering skills
Breadboarding, CAD, and 3D modeling workshops give you the knowledge to turn your ideas into prototypes.
Design workshops
Discover alternative energy options through dye-sensitized solar cells, and learn about prosthetic limbs while creating a myoelectric arm.
Get innovative
Apply the skills you've learned to design a product for a startup company - then present it to investors.
Dates & Locations
Note: Space is limited. Please login to the online application to see up-to-date session availability.

American University
- June 17 - June 25
- June 29 - July 7

University of California, Berkeley
- July 17 - July 25
- July 29 - August 6
Hands-on Simulations
While at the NSLC, you will have the opportunity to step into the lab and learn hands-on the skills used in the field of biotechnology to manipulate DNA and create products like better medicines and cleaner fuels.
Lab experiences will include:
- Cut DNA with restriction enzymes
- Ligate or paste DNA fragments back together
- Run agarose gel electrophoresis
- Use the Nobel Prize-winning PCR technique
- Experiment with ELISA and Flow
Meet Biotechnology Professionals
While at the NSLC on Biotechnology program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the biotechnology field.
Examples of past guest speakers include:
Dr. Francis S. Collins
Director, National Institutes of Health
Dr. Ben Busby
Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information
Dr. Eric D. Green
Director, National Human Genome Research Institute (NIH)
Dean Stephen Carr
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Engineering, Northwestern University
Dr. Jon R. Lorsch
Director, National Insitute of General Medical Sciences
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci
Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH)
Mr. Terry Johnson
Associate Teaching Professor, UC Berkeley Department of Bioengineering
Dr. Hayley Lam
Lecturer, UC Berkeley Departement of Bioengineering
Mr. Ron Shigeta
Chief Science Officer, Indie Bio
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC’s Biotechnology youth leadership program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Biotechnology:
These trips may include:
American University
UMD/NIST Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology Research | National Institutes of Health (NIH) | Sanaria, Inc. | Food & Drug Administration | George Washington University Biomedical Engineering Department | Capitol Hill & The Smithsonian | Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
University of California, Berkeley
The Gladstone Institutes | The Exploratorium | Joint Bio-Energy Institute | Boehringer Ingelheim | NonFiction | Fisherman’s Wharf | Ghiradelli Square | Pier 39
Leadership Training
At the heart of each of our youth leadership programs is a curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Biotechnology program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Intrapersonal Communication
College Credit Option
American University (AU) and NSLC have a unique partnership that enables you to earn college credit by enrolling in a supplemental online course designed to correlate with your NSLC program’s area of study. By enrolling in this credit course, you will enjoy a stimulating, innovative, and personalized college-level learning experience that builds on your NSLC accomplishments. The course is for one credit and is taught in a self-paced, asynchronous format across six weeks, allowing ample time to complete assignments. The course is designed to work within the framework of NSLC; students are not expected to complete coursework while on campus. Students may register for college credit via their personal student portal (myNSLC) once they have enrolled in an NSLC session.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Tuition
Program tuition includes housing, all on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, and activities. Tuition also includes chartered, air-conditioned motor coaches for off-campus briefings and tours. Note: Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money for souvenirs, laundry, and a few off-campus meals during fields trips and tours.
Click here to view our cancellation and refund policy.
Location | Tuition |
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San Francisco and Washington, D.C. | $3,895 |