On Friday, Middle School science teacher, Alex Mobley and our 8th graders were able to tour Illumina, a corporation that sequences DNA as well as builds & sells DNA sequencing machines to companies across the world, such as the well-known companies 23 & Me and Ancestry.com. The students were able to learn how the machines use flow cells and synthetic DNA to tag and read the DNA fragments to determine the genetic makeup of any living organism. The machines have transformed genetics as they are able to sequence entire genomes in as little as 32 hours (a process that use to take scientists years!)
A very special thanks to SDFAS 8th grade parent Karine Viaud-Martinez for setting up and leading the half day tour & supplying snacks and freebies to the students!
