Universities worldwide are expanding their genetic laboratories, and a group of Year 12 and 13 students from Sancta Maria College was recently given the opportunity to experience the fruits of this effort at Massey University’s Metagenomics Day.
They were given the opportunity to work with soil samples from across the country, going through a complex scientific process in order to extract DNA. Working with third-year students, we were able to isolate the DNA of thousands of bacteria within the soil. While this may not seem interesting at first, they later found out that we were, in fact, helping a Ph.D. student collect data for her thesis. Through this, they were able to learn the process of DNA sequencing as well as listen to lecturers at Massey University on the applications of this process. They were later able to experience this for themselves, collecting DNA from soil. Students were then able to look at findings from DNA by ‘BLASTing’ it, being able to see what kind of organisms lived in samples of soil through the simple ATCG genetic code.
Experimenting with new technologies, pushing the boundaries of the modern limitations of science. This is daily life for students studying genetics. From naming microscopic organisms to mapping the genome of thousands of organisms in a matter of hours. What the students witnessed at Massey University captured their imagination. Undoubtedly, many of the students who visited the Metagenomics day are now considering futures in this field. The possibilities with this technology are limitless, and we’re looking forward to seeing how Sancta Maria College’s students can be involved in the future.
Gayle Lee and Elizabeth Leaning
