Lab offers high school students intro to biotech

The University Relations & Science Education Program will host a biotechnology summer experience for high school students age 16 and older to engage in a research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics.

In collaboration with Rutgers University, this program focuses on the isolation, characterization and DNA sequence analyses of genes from the duckweed species, Landoltia punctata. Duckweed is a fresh-water aquatic plant that is of interest to the scientific community.

This immersive 10-day experience begins on Monday, July 16, and will run weekdays, ending on Friday, July 27. It takes place at the Edward Teller Education Center at LLNL from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Students must have their own transportation to and from the workshop. Space is limited due to constraints of the laboratory setting. Applicants will be accepted based on the review of their academic background, statement of interest and letter of reference. There is a $25 fee for consumables if accepted to the program.

High school students who are accepted into the 2018 Biotechnology Summer Experience Program will:

• Work in a laboratory with instruction from master teachers.
• Isolate unique fragments of DNA by conducting laboratory experiments including plasmid DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digests and gel electrophoresis.
• Analyze gene sequences from these DNA fragments using the same bioinformatic tools used by practicing scientists worldwide.
• Submit their vetted DNA sequences for publication on GenBank, the international repository of DNA sequences maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Education (NCBI).

Eligibility:

• 16 years or older by the start of the workshop
• U.S. citizen
• Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Submission of a completed application by the posted deadline of May 21, 2018.

For more information and to obtain an application, contact albala1 [at] llnl.gov (Joanna Albala), Science Education program manager.