13TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SCHOOL
Using DNA variation to identify plants at the species level
Plant Molecular Genetics
If you are interested in Biological Sciences, this project is for you. This project will explore the DNA of plants. How can we extract and purify DNA? Once we extract the DNA, how can we use it for further analysis? What is the purpose of the analysis?
DNA contains all the information that makes each living organism unique. The study of specific regions on the DNA allows, for example, to identify people, track down blood relatives, look for cures for diseases and improve plant crops.
DNA contains all the information that makes each living organism unique. The study of specific regions on the DNA allows, for example, to identify people, track down blood relatives, look for cures for diseases and improve plant crops.
Brassica plant species
During this project, we will focus on the study of Brassica plants (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprout, kohlrabi, kale, etc.). Molecular techniques will allow IRS participants to differentiate these plants at the genomic level. During the project, participants will extract DNA, familiarize on how to follow a protocol, and what are the basic instruments and materials that students need in a lab environment. By the end of the project, IRS participants will observe the variation at the DNA level of different Brassica species, the DNA fingerprint, and will produce their conclusions.
By using this technic in the laboratory, participants will identify different Brassica plant species and will learn about the importance of molecular and genetic techniques used for crop improvement and food security.
By using this technic in the laboratory, participants will identify different Brassica plant species and will learn about the importance of molecular and genetic techniques used for crop improvement and food security.
An agarose gel electrophoresis is a molecular technique used in a laboratory
Tutors
Lola Gonzalez Penades
Alicante, Spain
Alicante, Spain
Lola was born in Alicante (Spain) on August 27th, 1991. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at the John Innes Centre (Norwich, United Kingdom), in the department of Crop Genetics. The research she performs is focused in wheat crop improvement and food security. Previously, she graduated with a Bachelor´s degree on Biology at the University of Alicante (Spain), and with a M.Sc. on Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK). Since then, she has been involved in the organization and delivery of scientific presentations, as well as in outreach activities. For example, she has participated in the Science Festival at Norwich by volunteering with different workshops for children. She likes to promote science and to perform different activities to encourage scientific learning.
Abraham Gomez Gutierrez
Alicante, Spain
Alicante, Spain
Abraham was born in Alicante (Spain) on December 14th, 1990. At present, he is living in Norwich (United Kingdom) where he is doing a Ph.D. at the John Innes Centre. His research is focused on finding and mapping novel resistance to Downy Mildew in Brassica oleracea. Before he started my Ph.D., he finished a Master's degree on Plant biotechnology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) and a Bachelor's degree on Biology at the University of Alicante (Spain). His academic background has been in the area of Plant Pathology, Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement. Since 2014 he has been participating in events of Science and Technology like international symposiums, annual science meetings and workshops as well as in outreach activities with children in the UK. Apart from science, he is also interested in teaching, encouraging the scientific spirit of young students, and performing different activities to explain complex scientific concepts in an easy and enjoyable way.
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