By Emily Georgiades
We gathered a team of scientists from the Gloyn and McCarthy research groups, based jointly at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM) and the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, to pay a visit to Headington Prep School to share our knowledge and enthusiasm for genetics by delivering an action packed day of DNA-based activities for girls aged 7 to 9 years.
DNA Bracelets
The year 2 class were the first to get involved, kicking off the day talking about DNA and making DNA bracelets.
The session began with a discussion about DNA: What is DNA? What structure does it have? How does our DNA make us different? We identified interesting characteristics that are genetically determined; the ability to roll your tongue, whether you have a widow’s peak, or attached ear lobes, are all features controlled by your DNA.
To get a better understanding of the double-helix DNA molecule and how nucleotides pair together in a gene, we made bracelets representing our favourite gene – insulin! We used four coloured beads to represent the four nucleotides: Adenosine, Thymine, Cytosine and Guanine (or more simply A, T, C and G). The year 2s threaded the beads, pairing A-T and C-G, and carefully knotted the strings to create beautiful helical bracelets which they got to take home and show off to their friends and family.
DNA from strawberries
It was lab coats and goggles on for the year 3s who got stuck into some real laboratory science, extracting DNA from strawberries. We first discussed how DNA is organised in our cells and the amazing way in which 2 metres of DNA folds itself up to fit into each of the billions of tiny cells in our bodies. Our fact of the day was that if the DNA from all of our cells was stretched out and joined end to end it would reach the moon.
Using our strawberry DNA extraction method (a simplified version of the method we use every day in the lab) we broke open the strawberry cells using a detergent mixture to release the DNA and then allowed it to condense into a visible string. As a reward for completing a successful DNA extraction, the year 3 students were given their own beta-cell toy to take home.
Folding genome – year 4
In the last session of the day we worked with the year 4 class, looking at how all the genetic material that makes up our genome, can cleverly fold up to fit into a the tiny nucleus of a cell. There were a number of activities, ranging from origami to virtual reality to demonstrate how important and complex the folding of the genome is.