School Break Bio!: DNA Barcoding: Using DNA to Study Species Biodiversity and Ecology

Pre-registration is required.

Appropriate for ages 14–17. Participants must bring a bag lunch.

A DNA barcode is a short sequence of DNA that is used to identify living things. DNA barcoding can be used to study ecology, human impacts on the environment, food fraud, and much more. In this lab activity participants will first learn the process of extracting DNA from plants or small invertebrates. Then they will amplify the DNA barcode using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and learn how to analyze sequencing results that will be received a few days after the lesson. Participants are invited to attend a follow up session on Zoom, to discuss their results.