Add some DNA to your day . . .

One session is offered for one Saturday in each month from October to June. Some sessions are for ages 10-13 with an accompanying chaperone, while others are for students ages 14 to adult with accompanying chaperone for participants under 15. All sessions are two hours long: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Chaperones fully participate in all program activities.

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

The sessions are held at the Dolan DNA Learning Center at 334 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. Click to view directions to the Dolan DNA Learning Center.

What you need to do:

• Read through the descriptions of the activities when available, 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.
• 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 DNA! information line: (516) 367-5168

Main office line: (516) 367-5170

Saturday DNA! was developed by our educational and scientific staff to serve children, teens, and adults interested in DNA programs outside of the school setting. We offer a variety of 2-hour laboratory- and computer-based sessions.

Download this Newsletter in PDF.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

When Genes are Switched Off…

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Ages 14 – Adult; under 15 years chaperone required

For most genes in mammals and flowering plants, two working copies are inherited – one from mom and one from dad. Some genes act a bit differently, where only one working copy of a gene is inherited. This is called genetic imprinting. Come see how genes are regulated through different processes in cells and how they affect the development of an organism.

In this session participants will:

• look into factors that help regulate the expression of genes;
• see the effect of imprinted genes on the development of an organism;
• test DNA for gene regulation in a living organism.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Selection Detection

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Ages 10-13, with chaperone

In 1842, Charles Darwin began sketching his theories of evolution and natural selection for his book, On the Origin of Species. Darwin, the “father” of evolutionary theory, was born on February 12, 1809. On the eve of his birthday, we will explore how his theories work in nature today.

In this session, participants will:

• demonstrate how selection and different selective pressures can drive evolution;
• “become the predators” to understand the role of prey selection and survival of the fittest;
• discuss modern examples of Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Genetics of HIV Resistance

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Ages 14 – Adult; under 15 years chaperone required

An American leukemia patient living in Berlin received a bone marrow transplant that also cured his AIDS. In a world where 33.4 million people are HIV positive, there are a lucky few who are genetically predisposed to resist HIV infection. Come learn about the protective mutation, how we can test for it, and how scientists hope to use gene therapy to treat infected patients.

In this session, participants will:

• learn about how we examine genomes for the resistance mutation;
• perform a mock genotype.