The State Darwin
Museum, the DNA-Technology LLC сompany, the Moscow Department of Culture (financial support) present an educational
program named “DNA-investigation”
What is DNA?
What can a scientist tell by looking at your genetic information? The answers
to these and many other questions can be found during “DNA-investigation” practical
classes. The program offers a unique opportunity to try yourself as a
professional biologist and do exciting researches in a modern molecular laboratory.
The program
helps to broaden knowledge of molecular biology, DNA functions and structure
and apply modern methods of molecular genetic testing. During classes, students
will not only learn new scientific information but also try using it in
practice. This experience can be very useful and help with their choice of future
career.
The classes
are held on weekdays (except Mondays and the last Friday in a month) by
appointments for groups of students over 14 years. The number of students should
not exceed 12 people.
Duration: 150
minutes, including a break (20 minutes).
The program
includes 3 practical classes:
·
“Extract
your own DNA”
·
“Are
you a sprinter or a marathoner?”
·
“Hidden
secrets of a sausage”
“Extract your own DNA”
The purpose
of the first “Extract your own DNA” course is to show students how to use special
equipment of molecular-biological laboratories. During the class, students
extract their own DNA from saliva cells. At the same time they start using
their own knowledge of molecular biology, learn how DNA testing is used in
science and daily life including diagnosis of hereditary and infectious
diseases, identification of individuals (DNA profiling), determination of
paternity and evolutionary relationship of different species. Students can take
their DNA extracted during the class home as a souvenir.
“Are you a sprinter or a marathoner?”
The course offers
more information about the human genome. It tells about angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) and its influence on athletic performance. Different kinds of
genes predispose young athletes to different type of physical activities. Some
people are predisposed to a short-time but extremely intense exercise and
others can remain active for a longer period of time. Students
will be offered to extract and test their own DNA. This practical class teaches
about the structure of genes and peculiar characteristics of exons and introns.
“Hidden secrets of a sausage”
During the
class, students will search for genetically modified organisms (GMO) and
DNA of a soybean in different types of sausages. The course teaches about genetically
modified organisms and their role in our daily life.
“DNA extraction”
Students
will attempt to isolate DNA of a banana using some basic laboratory utensils.
Once learnt the experience can be always repeated in the kitchen at home. The
course teaches about DNA, its location and functions as well as how DNA testing
can be used in normal human activities.
Curator of
the program is Alexander Rubtsov: alexrub@darwinmuseum.ru
Учреждение, подведомственное
