Saturday DNA! Sessions

Got Lactase?

Regeneron DNA Learning Center
Sleepy Hollow, NY
Ages 10-13, no adult chaperone required, although parents are welcome to attend (must purchase their own ticket)

Over 60% of humans worldwide are lactose intolerant. In humans, lactose intolerance is considered an ancestral trait because mammals usually stop producing the digestive enzyme after weaning off their mothers’ milk. Does this happen in humans too? Why, then, are some humans able to continue drinking milk after infancy? Join us to better understand the very interesting story of how a combination of genetics and culture has affected our evolution.

In this session, participants will:

• discuss the details of lactose intolerance, and how it affects different populations; and
• use enzymes to digest lactose; and
• investigate the lactose levels of different dairy products.

Cellular Architecture

Dolan DNA Learning Center
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Ages 13–adult

Join us to learn what the building blocks of life look like and how they work!

Organisms, such as humans, are made up of cells. Some of the most important molecules in cells are DNA and proteins. Cells rely on these molecules to execute very precise and controlled actions, just like we drive cars to move from one place to another. Have you ever wondered what the different “cars” look like in cells, how they work, and why their abundance is important? Join us to learn more about the real-life 3-D structures of proteins and DNA that are life’s building blocks, and see for yourself!

In this session, participants will:

• learn how scientists discover what molecules look like;
• use computer software to visualize 3-D molecules (proteins and DNA);
• observe molecule functions and explore the relationship between molecular structure and function; and
• experimentally measure protein abundance using colorimetric copper-sulfate-based test, whose variations are important in health and disease.

Swab to Sequence: What happens when you send off your DNA?

Dolan DNA Learning Center
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Ages 16–adult

Join us at the DNALC to explore how genetic testing works!

If you’ve ever submitted or thought about submitting a DNA sample to companies like 23andMe® or Ancestry.com®, you’ve likely been excited by the opportunity to learn more about your family history or relatives, but how does some saliva in a tube get translated into family trees?

In this session, participants will:

• learn about how DNA is sequenced;
• use bioinformatics techniques to analyze DNA sequences across individuals*;
• explore how genetic testing companies build family trees; and
• discuss the potential pros and cons of DNA testing, specifically through the case of the Golden State Killer.

*Note, we will NOT be sequencing participant DNA in this session.