Oak Forest HS AP Biology Student Utilizes Purdue University's Molecular Lab

Oak Forest High School AP Biology Student Alyssa Chavez and Oak Forest High School teacher Dawn Sasek utilized the Purdue University Molecular Lab to amplify mitochondrial DNA derived from students in Mrs. Sasek’s AP Biology Class. Chavez is adding primer to the mtDNA because it makes the environment within the test tubes stable so that only the mtDNA sequence that a scientist specifically wants is amplifies.

According to Ms. Sasek, the “process is called PCR or polymerase chain reaction. It will make millions of copies of an individual’s DNA to be used for sequencing. Once amplified, the DNA samples will be sent to Cold Springs Harbor Lab in New York, where the samples will be placed on a sequence server that will allow students to compare their mtDNA sequences with individuals worldwide as well as
cross-species.”

The mtDNA is actually not considered a part of the human genome as the mitochondria themselves are actually ancient bacteria; this excludes any potential problems with DNA profiling.

Chavez, who volunteered to go with her teacher Mrs. Sasek, said, “It was a great learning experience because I want to major in biology. I think applying to a college having experience working at a real college laboratory is crucial and looks good on my application.”

Chavez felt she learned the process in the lab much better and felt that using the equipment in Purdue Calumet’s lab helped her become more intimate with how the equipment works and how it integrates with what Sasek and she were testing at the molecular level.

“It was fun,” Chavez said. “I enjoyed it. I will go again next year because I think it was a great learning experience.”