Free DNA barcoding supplies from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center
The COVID-19 pandemic has likely confounded your life as a teacher and made it difficult or impossible to offer lab experiences to your students. The DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is offering exciting opportunities for your students to participate in authentic experiments using DNA sequencing—in spite of school or lab access problems caused by the pandemic. Each includes free supplies for in-class or at-home DNA isolations, PCR and electrophoresis, and free DNA sequencing. Mini-DNA thermal cycler and electrophoresis equipment kits are also available for loan.
The following experiments can be integrated into general or elective biology courses, or used for independent or course-based student research. Each merges core biological concepts and lab skills in biochemistry and genetics with data analysis using the bioinformatics platform, DNA Subway. Free participation is open to high school, community college, and university students—and is made possible by grants from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Program and the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award.
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Experiment |
Description and Resources |
Kit Support |
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Monitor local biodiversity, food, consumer products, and microbes in the environment. |
DNA isolation supplies for students to use in class or at home (no special equipment required) PCR reagents (provide your own or use our loaner thermal cycler and electrophoresis equipment) Sanger or Illumina sequencing |
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Join a citizen science project to identify and map ants across the United States. |
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Take a look at your own DNA to see what is has to say about race and human origins. |
DNA Barcoding 101 If you are interested in having your students participate in one of these experiments, follow the link below:
I'm interested!
If you would like your students to have the full DNALC “experience” from afar, check out the in-class virtual field trips and at-home camps—each with lab kits and live or on-demand video instruction.