Biotech Students Work with Groundbreaking DNA Barcoding

JTED biotechnology students are working with cutting edge DNA analysis that may lead to treatment and possibly cures for serious illnesses someday.

Steven Uyeda’s students from Sunnyside High School took a recent field trip to collect fruit tree tissue and extract DNA in order to map the trees’ genealogy. The samples will be sent for DNA sequencing to GENEWIZ, a DNA services company. From there, the students develop a database of molecular markers for distinguishing local fruit trees.

This DNA barcoding helps develop an understanding of the connection between evolution and genetic traits, which is useful in the medical, agricultural, and ecological fields.

“Science is becoming increasingly more technological,” said Uyeda. “And today’s high school students can benefit from exposure to the power of technology in addressing complex problems.”

The Kino Trees Heritage Fruit Trees Project, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the University of Arizona work in collaboration with the students’ project.

For more information, see Kino Heritage Fruit Trees.