Saturday DNA!

Welcome to the Spring 2008 Saturday DNA! programs!
Are there rules to the game of life?
Can we understand cancer?
How is DNA like a puzzle?
Find out when you join us for the last of the Saturday DNA! sessions before the summer break.

Add some DNA to your day . . . Two sessions are offered for each Saturday in this newsletter. The early sessions are for students ages 10-13 with an accompanying chaperone. The later sessions are appropriate for ages 14 to adult, with accompanying chaperone for participants under 15. All sessions are two hours long. Chaperones fully participate in all program activities.

Sessions are $15.00 per person ($30.00 for a participating student and accompanying chaperone.)

Directions to the Dolan DNA Learning Center are available through the link above. Call (516)367-5170 to request to have them mailed to you.

What you need to do:

• Read through the descriptions of the activities BELOW, and decide which sessions you might like to attend.
• You must read and follow the instructions on the Reservation Guidelines. Applications not adhering to these guidelines will be returned.
• Download reservation forms for the Saturday DNA! sessions you are interested in. Or, call the Saturday DNA! information line: (516) 367-5168.
• Reserve your space by completing and returning a reservation form with your payment. You must include a separate check or money order for each session you plan to attend.

Mailing address:
Dolan DNA Learning Center/CSHL
One Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Mystery of Anastasia Romanov
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Audience: Ages 10-13, with chaperone

Join us for a two-hour middle school interactive session. This will include a computer-based activity and a partial exhibition tour.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
· learn the story of the Romanovs, the last royal family of Russia;
· collect evidence and use a variety of forensic science techniques for analysis;
· use a mitochonidrial DNA database for DNA comparisons; and
· solve the mystery of the missing Romanovs.

DOWNLOAD application for The Mystery of Anastasia Romanov

Inside Cancer
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ages 14-adult, chaperone for participants under the age of 15

Cancer is a serious disease that touches the lives of far too many families. Despite this, most people do not have a good understanding of what cancer really is, adding to an already intimidating diagnosis. A guided exploration of our Inside Cancer website will take us from understanding what cancer is, to learning about what is currently being done in cancer research. Most importantly, the discussion will follow an easy to understand format that makes the information accessible, taking some of the intimidation out of cancer.

Participants will:
· explore the common types of cancers and their related causes;
· understand the genetic basis for cancer;
· see how DNA codes for traits; and
· learn about current directions in cancer research.

DOWNLOAD application for Inside Cancer

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Survival of the Fittest: Rules to the Game of Life
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Audience: Ages 10-13, with chaperone

Surviving is usually tricky business. Why do some species seem to thrive while others just disappear in the blink of an eye? What does “survival of the fittest” really mean? Could the answers to these questions all lie in DNA? We will attempt to answer these questions and more as we explore the rules of survival and extinction.

In this lab session, participants will:
· learn how to interpret and create basic family trees;
· use microscopes to explore DNA at work by observing mutant organisms; and
· explore the museum exhibit and our human origins.

DOWNLOAD application for Survival of the Fittest: Rules to the Game of Life

A Billion Little Pieces
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ages 14-adult, chaperone for participants under the age of 15

The nucleotide sequence of many organisms’ genomes, including humans, has been mapped. Considering the extraordinarily large amount of information held within an organism’s genome, this is no simple task. Molecular biologists use sophisticated DNA science along with powerful digital alignment software to cut DNA sequences into fragments and fit them back together like pieces of a puzzle. Join us as we explore one method for creating physical maps of chromosomes.

In this lab session, participants will:
· discuss the goals and benefits of the Human Genome Project;
· view animations of the DNA sequencing process; and
· "map" DNA using restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis.

DOWNLOAD application for A Billion Little Pieces

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Cancer: Inside Out
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Audience: Ages 10-13, with chaperone

Cancer is a disease that affects people of many different ages and nationalities. There are over 100 types of cancer that affect different parts of the body. Cancer starts with mutations in the DNA of cells. Some mutations that lead to cancer can be inherited, but most are caused by environmental factors. Come examine the current research and knowledge that surrounds the cause, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

In this lab session, participants will:
· uncover the genetics behind how cells are controlled and how mutations can disrupt genes leading to cancer;
· simulate an experiment that analyzes DNA to test for a predisposition to certain types of cancers; and
· discover ways scientists are able to better diagnose and treat cancer.

DOWNLOAD application for Cancer: Inside Out

Human Evolution and mtDNA
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ages 14-adult, chaperone for participants under the age of 15

The mitochondrion is a very unique organelle, in that it provides 90% of cells’ daily energy. In addition to this remarkable task, the mitochondria can help us to delineate the lineage of modern humans and our relationship to early primates. Come and explore sequence diversity in mitochondrial DNA sequences.

In this lab session, participants will:
· learn about mtDNA;
· compare mtDNA sequences between modern humans; and
· compare mtDNA sequences of modern humans to earlier primates.

DOWNLOAD application for Human Evolution and mtDNA