DNA Science

DNA Science

DNA Science is the essential hands-on molecular biology summer course for high school students entering grades 10–12, offered at all four DNALC locations across the New York Metro Area and New Jersey. In this intensive molecular biology workshop, students go beyond the textbook and work through real gene cloning techniques used in professional research labs across the globe.

Students begin with core techniques and advance to constructing and analyzing a complete recombinant DNA molecule. Each technique is repeated twice in the course of the week to build mastery of essential research techniques. The camp aligns with AP® Biology laboratory requirements, giving students a meaningful head start on college-level biology, and gaining experience several grade levels ahead of their peers.

Students will:

• Compare different methods for bacterial transformation.
• Perform restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis to cut and analyze DNA.
• Combine DNA fragments to create plasmids and introduce them into bacteria.
• Perform a plasmid mini-prep and analyze how the fragments recombined.

DNA Science is the gateway to DNALC's most advanced courses and the Research Prep Track: Genome Science, Synthetic Biology, BioCoding, and Sequence a Genome.

This camp is a great fit for:

Students taking or preparing for AP® Biology, anyone considering a career in science or medicine, and students ready to move from the classroom to the research bench.