Budding Scientists

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared December 10, 2009 in The News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

What do humans share with flies, worms, chimpanzees, fish and even strawberries? Actually, quite a lot. That's what visitors discovered recently at a Biotechnology Fair at the Henry C. Conrad Schools of Science. It was the first such fair for the Red Clay magnet school, which focuses on biotechnology and allied health fields.

The fair was run entirely by Biotech II students, who explained the technical processes of DNA extraction and fingerprinting, chromosomal abnormalities and the genetic test for high cholesterol, among others. The three-day fair was funded by the Delaware Valley Innovation Network. Visitors included parents, prospective students and people in the scientific community.

Humans share 98 percent of their DNA with chimpanzees and 85 percent with a zebra fish, the students noted. People share a smaller percentage with flies, worms, strawberries and every other living organism. DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is the genetic instruction manual for an organism and often called "the code of life."

The fair was organized by stations. At the first station, 10th graders Kadeem Checkley, Daphne Ramirez-Rivas, Victoria Garrett and Andrea Nichols demonstrated how to extract DNA from strawberries. They began by crushing the berries in a sealed sandwich bag. After several procedures, the DNA floated to the top and was placed in a tiny glass tube.

"I think it turned out pretty good," said Kathy Garrett of Roselle, whose daughter hopes to be a veterinarian. "I thought it was interesting."

The DNA was passed to the second station, where another group ran it through a process used in medical testing and in solving criminal cases.

William Tanzilli, Luis Lara and Georgeanna Anderson turned the DNA into a gel. They followed a basic technique used in DNA labs, and also in solving crimes. Like many of the students, Anderson is a fan of "CSI: Miami," "NCIS" and other forensics shows.

Tanzilli, who lives in Brandywine Springs, wants to be an ophthalmologist. Lara, a 10th grader who lives near Elsmere, is considering becoming a doctor.

Anderson, a 17-year-old who wants to be an anesthesiologist, said DNA can usually be found in teeth and femur bones of bodies buried for years. That's how investigators identified the badly burned bodies in the wreckage of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, she added. The femur can be used to determine a person's gender and height, she noted.

Forensic DNA fingerprinting processes used in crime scene work were demonstrated by three girls at the fifth station. Kaitlyn Wasno, a 16-year-old from Woodcrest, wants to be a nurse. Heaven Cruz, a 15-year-old from New Castle, and Amanda Brendle, a 15-year-old from Elsmere, hope to become forensic specialists. Brendle said everyone in her family watch all the "CSI" shows.

Fifteen-year-old James LeDouz explained chromosomal abnormalities at another station. While thousands of disorders can occur, his station focused on three. LeDouz said most people have 46 chromosomes -- 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. An extra chromosome can result in a baby with Down syndrome.

LeRoy Thomas, 16, demonstrated equipment used in lab safety and clean-up. Glass beakers and test tubes must be sterilized with high-pressure steam. "Regular washing wouldn't remove the bacteria," noted the New Castle resident, who hopes to major in chemistry.

The fair also sported some humor, such as an eye wash station featuring a skeleton wearing a doctor's lab coat.

Ashley Gregory, a 16-year-old from Wilmington, started at Conrad in the sixth grade. Now in 10th grade, she's not yet sure of a career. "I think the school is very interesting," she said. "It's definitely not like regular high school."

The magnet school began in 2007 with grades six through nine. An additional grade has been added each year. Conrad's first class will graduate in 2011. Although an entrance exam is not required, students should have a strong interest in science, said department chair Anne-Marie Hanapole. The career interests by many of the fair participants show that commitment.

Among those attending from the business community was Andrew Cottone, vice president of Adesis, a New Castle research firm. Afterward, Cottone told biotech teacher Derek Wiberg, "You seem to be doing the right stuff. They [the students] are able to talk the talk."