Oxford students get hands-on with DNA profiling
OXFORD – High school students at Oxford Academy will have a chance to participate in a high-tech experiment under the guidance of a Cornell University expert this week.
Dr. Mike Yerkey, a primate expert and Cornell University associate, visited Mark Muller’s biology classes on Tuesday in order to demonstrate DNA profiling of animals.
During the day-long demonstration, students became actively involved in the experiment, using minuscule samples of DNA to determine the paternity of the samples.
Yerkey explained that DNA profiling, or DNA fingerprinting is widely used in criminal and legal cases to “determine identity of parentage.” However, its uses also span into the agricultural industry for the purpose of genetically modifying plants or combining genes to amplify desired characteristics in dairy cattle and other animals.
According to Muller, the seminar gives students a chance to work hands on with a fairly advanced procedure, while bringing context to the experiment in an area where agricultural is a large part of the economy.
“It’s more about putting the effort into learning ... I’m excited about the real life applications, it’s like what you’d see on CSI,” said student Jon Chesebro.
Four biology classes had a chance to work with Yerkey during the week to learn about DNA profiling, each devoting a day to the in-depth lab experiment and lecture.
“We’re on track with the regents curriculum right now and the students would have done a lab covering the same principles ... this opportunity from Cornell was much more exciting for the students,” said Muller. ‘They’re just really happy that it’s more hands on, not just a pen and paper lab.”
Muller explained he learned about the opportunity during a summer institute program he attended in 2011 called the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers (CIBT). With grants from the Howard Hughes foundation, CIBT sends Yerkey to classrooms across the country.
“It’s just a fantastic opportunity for the students,” said Muller. “And I get to have some fun watching them get nervous about loading gel boxes ... it’s a fun time.”
Dr. Mike Yerkey, a primate expert and Cornell University associate, visited Mark Muller’s biology classes on Tuesday in order to demonstrate DNA profiling of animals.
During the day-long demonstration, students became actively involved in the experiment, using minuscule samples of DNA to determine the paternity of the samples.
Yerkey explained that DNA profiling, or DNA fingerprinting is widely used in criminal and legal cases to “determine identity of parentage.” However, its uses also span into the agricultural industry for the purpose of genetically modifying plants or combining genes to amplify desired characteristics in dairy cattle and other animals.
According to Muller, the seminar gives students a chance to work hands on with a fairly advanced procedure, while bringing context to the experiment in an area where agricultural is a large part of the economy.
“It’s more about putting the effort into learning ... I’m excited about the real life applications, it’s like what you’d see on CSI,” said student Jon Chesebro.
Four biology classes had a chance to work with Yerkey during the week to learn about DNA profiling, each devoting a day to the in-depth lab experiment and lecture.
“We’re on track with the regents curriculum right now and the students would have done a lab covering the same principles ... this opportunity from Cornell was much more exciting for the students,” said Muller. ‘They’re just really happy that it’s more hands on, not just a pen and paper lab.”
Muller explained he learned about the opportunity during a summer institute program he attended in 2011 called the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers (CIBT). With grants from the Howard Hughes foundation, CIBT sends Yerkey to classrooms across the country.
“It’s just a fantastic opportunity for the students,” said Muller. “And I get to have some fun watching them get nervous about loading gel boxes ... it’s a fun time.”
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