From our Science Team: “Thanks to the PTA and Paschal Enrichment Foundation for providing the biotech equipment necessary to conduct our lab. This is the first time we've been able to carry out DNA amplification and gel electrophoresis.

In the lab, students tested their DNA to see whether they have the ability to taste a chemical called PTC. Students extracted their DNA and amplified their DNA through the polymerase chain reaction. We they added a restriction enzyme which cut their DNA if they contained the gene to taste the compound. They then ran their DNA samples through a gel electrophoresis and students compared their genotype with their phenotype. Students were excited to see how their DNA matched up with what they tasted.”