DOE JGI, Berkeley lab connect with Mt. Diablo unified school district for All About DNA Day

WALNUT CREEK, CA--On Monday, March 21, the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) will join forces with Glenbrook Middle School for a fun-filled "All About DNA Day" at Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Willow Creek Center.

From 9am to 2pm some 80 seventh-grade students, led by educator Randy Monroe of Glenbrook, will experience a broad spectrum of hands-on DNA exercises. The event was designed by researchers and support staff from the DOE JGI and Berkeley Lab, and coordinated by Clayton Valley High School biology teacher Karen Kelly and her students, along with Berkeley Lab Genomics Division's Elaine Gong. The sessions include:

Extracting DNA From Fruit

Building a Giant DNA Model

DNA Gel Electrophoresis

Identifying Mystery "Critters" by DNA Sequence

Predicting Susceptibility to Sickle Cell Anemia

Making a Transgenic Mouse

"Our goal is to help capture the imagination of these students with the wonders of DNA and to inspire them to consider careers in science," says David Gilbert, JGI Public Affairs Manager.

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Willow Creek Center is located at 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord, Calif. For more information, contact David Gilbert, (925) 296-5643 or by email at gilbert21@llnl.gov.

Additional information about JGI can be found at: http://www.jgi.doe.gov/