Author: Dr. David Upegui
During February break, 42 AP biology students (2 sections) showed up to do science. We ran 3 labs as part of our Barcoding of Life project with bees that were collected in the Channel Islands in CA.
The students were diligent, focused, and determined—Real Warriors doing real science (this is a citizen science project), as we are participating in the world's largest Biodiversity Genomics project: Barcoding Life’s Matrix. The Barcoding Life’s Matrix program is a science innovation project hosted by Ventura-based Coastal Marine Biolabs with funding support from the National Science Foundation. Through their participation in the program, students enrolled in the AP Biology classes joined a global community of scientists in their efforts to build a digital genetic registry of Earth’s biodiversity using a DNA barcoding system.
The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project is currently building the BOLD database by linking DNA barcodes generated from known specimens to a species name and other types of information related to the specimen, including where it was collected. In order to complete this work, CFHS students need to accurately and precisely use biotech tools (micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, thermal cyclers, etc.). The data generated and shared by these students will help scientists to better understand how human activities and natural events impact our marine ecosystems and their inhabitants.
Our students are amazing!
Our students are amazing!
DU